Blancpain - Hong Kong: Watches Online Auction I Hong Kong Thursday, July 21, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Blancpain
    Year: Circa 2021
    Reference No: 5008D-1130-B64A
    Case No: 325/500
    Model Name: Fifty Fathoms No Rad
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1151, 28 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Blancpain pin buckle
    Dimensions: 40.3mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Blancpain international warranty stamped Boutique Blancpain MBS Singapore dated 15th May 2021, limited edition certificate, instruction manual, product literature, diver’s logbook, cloth, travel pouch, outer packaging and fitted presentation pelican case.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was first introduced in the 1950s as a professional diver’s time telling instrument. The watch featured a rotating bezel with a black insert as well as its luminous material in radium enabling a glowing effect in the dark. The design became one of the firm’s most successful throughout the decades even till date. In the 1960s, the use of radium in wristwatches were becoming a major concern as studies by the Public Health Service dubbed them to be hazardous to the wearer. However, it was these early examples that garnered the importance of the Fifty Fathoms as they were initially made specifically for the French and German military under the name Tornek Rayville, they were referred to as Mil-Spec. After the firm realized the hazardous nature of radium as luminous materials used on the dial and bezel, Blancpain released one of the most iconic Fifty Fathom models known as the “No Radiation” dial variant, which was printed on the dial to identify that there were no radioactive materials used. Printed above the 6 o’clock index is the vibrant yellow and red trefoil symbol reading “No Radiation”.

    To celebrate the coveted model, Blancpain released a limited edition run of 500 pieces of the modern re-edition of the “No Rad” featuring a 40.3mm diameter stainless steel case, fauxtina luminous material, black ceramic lumed bezel, which combined mimics the aesthetics and appeal of the original example. Regraded by collectors as one of the best re-editions made in recent times, the watch is paired tastefully with a tropic-style rubber strap completing the whole professional diver’s watch vibe.

    Numbered 325 of a limited edition of 500 pieces, the present example modern tribute of the No Rad is offered in excellent overall condition and is further complete with its full set of accessories.

  • Artist Biography

    Blancpain

    Swiss • 1735

    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. 

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Property from the Original Owner

888

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 5008D-1130-B64A
A fine and rare limited edition stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, warranty and presentation box, numbered 325 of a limited edition of 500 pieces

Circa 2021
40.3mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$39,000 - 78,000 
€4,800-9,500
$5,000-10,000

Sold for HK$189,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Hong Kong: Watches Online Auction I

21-27 July 2022 (Registration ends 6pm HKT 26 July)