Blancpain

As the post war decades ushered in the Cold War era of brinkmanship and militarization, governments worldwide invested heavily in research and development to maintain their own military supremacy and supply troops with the most technologically advanced equipment in order to stay ahead of the enemy. 

Released in 1953, the original Fifty Fathoms was developed in collaboration with the French Combat Diving School in order to equip the French Navy with the best tool watches for military operations. Then Blancpain CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter, who was a diver himself, developed the Fifty Fathoms model together with Captain Robert Maloubier, a British Special Operations secret agent during WWII, and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud to create the world’s first modern dive watch according to military specifications. The Fifty Fathoms MILSPEC I was formally introduced in 1957 and as its name would imply, it was made to exacting military specifications just like the original Fifty Fathoms. 

Our present MILSPEC I also features the text ‘Rotomatic Incabloc’ above the circular humidity indicator at 6 o’clock. Incabloc is a form of shock protection for the balance pivots and staff that was developed in the 1940s. Prior to this invention, watches would break easily from shock which proved detrimental during military operations, so much so that the military deployed watch technicians to repair watches that were damaged in the field. This made Incabloc a significant innovation in watchmaking, and along with the MILSPEC I’s superior water resistance, self winding movement, luminous dial and rotating bezel, Blancpain saw many orders from British, German, Israeli, Spanish, and U.S. Navies. 

We are pleased to offer the present example in exceptional condition with its wonderfully preserved dial and case with a strong Geiger reading. The original luminous material on the dial, hands, and in the bezel has aged evenly throughout to a beautiful creamy hue. From the family of the original owner, the present timepiece represents an important intersection in military and watchmaking history.