BLANCPAIN Lot n° 38

Fifty Fathoms, vers 1953. An exceptional & legendary stainless steel diver's wristwatch, the first version of this brand's iconic model, as well as the first real diver's tool-watch in history, released before the Rolex Submariner, in 1953. Born of the collaboration between the brand's manager, Mr. Fiechter, himself an amateur diver, and captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier in charge of realizing a watch for the French Navy commandos, it will later be adopted by the German Navy, the American Navy seals & the Cousteau diving team among others. Stainless steel case, large graduated acrylic bezel, luminous hands, indexes & Arabic numerals, sweep center seconds. 2 pieces screw-down case-back, anti-magnetic soft metal dust-cover engraved “Patent pending” for the first series, automatic winding movement caliber A.S. 1361 N. Diam. : 42 mm