Blancpain introduces the third installment to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its iconic Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, aptly named “Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3.” This model draws inspiration from the MIL-SPEC version that was adopted by the primary armed forces of its era.
The Manufacture is now unveiling a limited edition of 555 pieces, reimagining the timepiece while preserving its signature moisture indicator. Staying true to the original with a 41.30 mm diameter, the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 is crafted from 9K Bronze Gold.
This remarkable timepiece owes its existence to a moment of revelation. The creation of the Fifty Fathoms was the fortunate outcome of a dive that could have had very different consequences. During one of his diving expeditions in Cannes, France, Blancpain co-CEO and passionate diver Jean-Jacques Fiechter found himself suddenly running out of air. This dramatic experience underscored the need for a timekeeping instrument tailored to the demands of scuba diving, leading to the birth of the Fifty Fathoms—the world’s first true diver’s watch.
The Fifty Fathoms boasted several pioneering features, including its self-winding mechanism, which resulted in less wear on the crown gaskets compared to hand-wound movements. It also offered resistance to magnetism, a vital characteristic in the world of diving, and was watertight to at least 10 bar. The watch featured XXL luminescent hour markers set against a dark dial for enhanced legibility, mirroring the key elements of the 1953 model. Several innovations, such as the double watertight seal on the crown, a caseback sealing system to prevent O-ring distortion, and a lockable rotating bezel, were all patented.
These functions, features, and performance characteristics led the main armed forces of that era, including France, Germany, the United States, and Norway, to adopt this timepiece for their combat divers. Jean-Jacques Fiechter’s visionary ideas were so impactful that the Fifty Fathoms became the archetype for diving watches in the entire watch industry, a legacy that continues to this day.
However, the story doesn’t conclude there. In the 1950s, Jean-Jacques Fiechter introduced a moisture indicator, an additional safety feature. It served to reassure divers that the watch had not been compromised during a previous mission by indicating moisture intrusion. This moisture indicator made its appearance on the dials of MIL-SPEC watches in 1957, some of which are now among the rarest and most coveted timepieces for collectors. It was a critical specification for the US Navy, which considered this model the sole watch meeting its stringent criteria for underwater missions. The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 pays homage to this remarkable watch.
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