292 - Blancpain - Fifty Fathoms No Radiations

Blancpain - Fifty Fathoms No Radiations A collection of 2 wristwatches An extremely rare, antimagnetic vintage professional diver's wristwatch for technical diving, featuring a central seconds hand and date Ref. RPG 1, Cal. 11 1/2''', Case No. 208039, Dimensions 41 mm, circa 1968, Origin: Switzerland, Original box Case: Steel, screw-down back, bidirectional rotating bezel (fixed in place), screw-down crown. Dial: Matte black, luminous hour markers, luminous hands. Movement: Automatic. In 1953, Blancpain was commissioned by the French military to develop a mechanical, self-winding diver’s watch with a unidirectional bezel featuring a graduated Bakelite insert to display the dive time. The watch was named “Fifty Fathoms” because it was water-resistant to a depth of 50 fathoms (1 fm = 1.829 m), i.e., 91.45 m. In 1968, the “Fifty Fathoms No Radiations” was launched, featuring non-radioactive luminous material on the dial and hands to indicate that the watch was intended for civilian use. When Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms, it immediately conquered one of the largest and most interesting market segments in the watchmaking world. With its perfectly proportioned 41 mm steel case, a Bakelite bezel, and a jet-black dial with luminous hour markers, the “Fifty Fathoms”—along with the Rolex Submariner—redefined the concept of a true diver’s watch. This is a magnificent example of the Fifty Fathoms model dating from the late 1960s and in excellent, unrestored condition. It features an inserted, ribbed Bakelite bezel and distinctive Arabic hour and quarter markers. The matte black dial with the coveted “No-Radiations” symbol is immaculate; the luminous material on the hour markers and hands has darkened slightly—this is a dream watch for any collector of rare vintage timepieces. Case: very good, worn, in need of restoration. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species—such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard—are used in our catalog or on our website for illustrative purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.