125
Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms "Barracuda"
A rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with revolving bezel, made for the Polish Military
- Estimate
- CHF10,000 - 15,000€8,600 - 12,900$10,300 - 15,500
CHF30,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Blancpain
- Year
- Circa 1970
- Movement No
- 619'655
- Case No
- 207'630
- Model Name
- Fifty Fathoms "Barracuda"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Rubber
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 41mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed, outside case back engraved with military number MW 375
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Fifty Fathoms model is perhaps the most iconic dive watch in history. Developed in the beginning of the 1950s under the helm of Jean-Jacques Fiechter with the French Combat Diving School, its name derives from the watch's waterproof ability. It can be submerged up to Fifty Fathoms, or 91.45 meters underwater.
Since the release of Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has released a variety of versions. While some were made for civilian use, others were issued to the military. The Barracuda model is distinguished by its two-tone numerals, which this model is best known for. It was originally issued to the American, German and Polish military.
The present watch, confirmed by Blancpain as being issued to the Polish military, is preserved in excellent condition. This is also apparent by the hand-engraved “MW”, which indicates the watch was delivered to the Polish navy. The dial is preserved in excellent condition, and the tritium still glows under a black light. The bezel is preserved in particularly good condition, and is free of visible cracks.
Since the release of Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has released a variety of versions. While some were made for civilian use, others were issued to the military. The Barracuda model is distinguished by its two-tone numerals, which this model is best known for. It was originally issued to the American, German and Polish military.
The present watch, confirmed by Blancpain as being issued to the Polish military, is preserved in excellent condition. This is also apparent by the hand-engraved “MW”, which indicates the watch was delivered to the Polish navy. The dial is preserved in excellent condition, and the tritium still glows under a black light. The bezel is preserved in particularly good condition, and is free of visible cracks.
Blancpain
Swiss | 1735As the watchmaking brand with the earliest founding date, Blancpain remains close to tradition, concentrating on classical mechanical watches. Established in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the Le Brassus manufacturer today continues to innovate with the development of high-quality calibres and is proud of their heritage, having never made quartz watches. One of the firm's greatest successes was the Fifty Fathom wristwatch introduced in 1953 — the vintage models of which are now highly coveted by collectors. The earliest dive watch available to the market, Fifty Fathom came out a year prior to Rolex's Submariner. Another key model is the Air Command from the 1960s, considered one of the most mythical collector's watches due to their extreme rarity. Today, the firm specializes in creative innovated complicated timepieces.
Browse Maker