Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms 1000 | A bronze and stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date, Exhibited at the Fifty Fathoms Exhibition for the 275th Anniversary of Blancpain, Circa 1965
Auction Closed
December 6, 09:17 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: black
Caliber: automatic
Case: bronze, screw down stainless steel case back
Case number: 3’224
Closure: unsigned leather strap embossed "C.V.W. 8 Nimitz US Navy" and bronze buckle
Size: 41 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Blancpain certificate of participation at the Fifty Fathoms Exhibition for the 275th Anniversary of Blancpain signed by Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain
The Fifty Fathoms was born in the early 1950s, development led by Jean-Jacques Fiechter, CEO at that time and a passionate diver. With a double sealed crown, an automatic movement and luminous hands against a black dial, it represents every vital aspect of a diver’s watch and laid down the foundations for future generations.
In 2010, Blancpain celebrated their 275th anniversary with an exhibition dedicated to vintage Fifty Fathoms, featuring fine pieces of the collection submitted from the most astute collectors. The present example was certified for this event, featuring a rare bronze case which only about 10 examples were known. These cases were produced with numbers ranging from 3200 to 3246, and even less were made with a date window movement and dial. The case is preserved in outstanding condition and proportions and has developed a greenish patina on the bronze case, an organic change which remains very attractive. As described on the certificate issued for the exhibition, the watch is indeed “a superior and noteworthy example of a vintage Fifty Fathoms”.