Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Milspec

Description

In the early 1950s, an elite unit of the French Navy, responsible for their own diving equipment and not satisfied with any of the current diving watches on the market, set out to make their own watch that they deemed suitable for diving, known as the “Frogmen”. The result was an inevitable partnership with Blancpain for the creation of the watch we know as the Fifty Fathoms.

Although initially created for the French Navy, these military specification (“Milspec”) watches were ordered by other militaries, such as the German, British, Spanish, and even the US Navy.

For a great write-up on these historic watches, head on over to The Spring Bar, here.

The watch we offer today is in amazing condition. The original radium dial is in great shape, appearing to have more of a matte finish due to aging. The lume in the minute hands has seen some cracking. The bakelite bezel, usually with cracks, is very clean with light scratches.

This watch comes fresh to the market, purchased from the original owner, and even comes on the strap that he wore it on his entire life with it. According to him, he enjoyed and used the watch as it was intended to be used!