Manufacturer: Blancpain Year: Circa 2009 Reference No: 5015-11C30 Case No: 185 Model Name: Fifty Fathoms Material: Black PVD-coated stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, 1315, 35 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black Blancpain canvas strap Clasp/Buckle: Black PVD-coated stainless steel Blancpain buckle Dimensions: 45 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Blancpain International Warranty dated 13 November 2009, polishing cloth, product literature, instruction manual, pouch, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collection was the first original modern diver's watch. Ever since its introduction to the market in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms collection has accompanied professional divers and established underwater photographers in their in-depth exploration of the Earth's oceans. Blancpain collaborated with two captains of the French Navy, Commander Maloubier and Lieutenant Riffand, to create a reliable watch they needed with very specific requirements, which has later became one of the most iconic diver's watches.
The celebrated model Fifty Fathoms, was re-introduced to the market in 2008 to pay tribute to the pioneers who made scuba-diving possible and is increasingly popular today.
As 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.