The story behind the Tornek Rayville TR-900 is very closely linked to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Used by the French army since the late 50s, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was soon noticed by armies around the world. When the US Army was looking for a dive watch for its troops, Blancpain knew they had the right tool, but the “Buy American Act” would not allow the brand to offer its Swiss made watch. A fortunate collaboration with a New York based diamond dealer by the name of Alan Tornek allowed the Fifty Fathoms to go under sufficient manufacturing processes in the US to be considered an American product.

A total of approximately 1,000 examples were made in the early 1960s. Despite passing the technical tests, the model was considered too expensive and in 1964, the US government did not renew its order and production was abandoned. Most of the TR900s were destroyed by the United States government and a few that were not issued, were sold, like the present example, to civilians. The portion dedicated to the stamp of the issue numbers on the caseback is left blank as one can expect.
The extremely good condition of the present watch tends to prove that it has never seen any battlefield nor was it used on any dangerous mission. But instead, it was recognized years later as being a significant piece to represent the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms history and was selected by the brand and an independent expert to be exhibited during the events that commemorated the 275th anniversary of the brand.

Considered by many as one of the rarest and most sought after dive watches, the present Tornek Rayville TR900 would be the pinnacle of any professional wristwatch collection.