Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Mar 05, 2009

LOT 442

Aqua Lung Blancpain, Fifty Fathoms "Aqua Lung? 1000 Feet Ref. 3500, made in the late 1950s. Fine and rare, large, center-seconds, antimagnetic, selfwinding, water-resistant stainless steel diver's wristwatch with wide bezel.

USD 4,000 - 5,000

EUR 3,100 - 4,000 / CHF 4,600 - 5,800

Sold: USD 13,800

C. Four-body, polished, case back secured by screw-down ring, inner protective patent pending cover, wide graduated bidirectional revolving black bezel with luminous baton markers and quarter Arabic numerals. D. Gloss black with applied luminous indexes and Arabic numerals. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. Milspec R.570, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, blued steel flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 41.5mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

In 1952 two French Naval officers, Commander Robert Malaubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud were requested by the French Ministry of Defense to initiate and elite unit of combat swimmers for the French Military special manouvers. Known as "les nageurs de combat", the unit required rugged equipment and contacted Blancpain SA to supply a suitable wristwatch. By 1953 a suitable watch was created and in 1954 the "Fifty Fathoms" (capable of diving to 91 meters) was launched in France. The later Aqua Lung version of the model with a depth rating of 1000 ft , as offered here, is referred to by collectors as the "life saver", due to its wide bezel.