Baselworld 2017 – Blancpain Tribute To Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC (Specs & Price)

For Baselworld 2017, Blancpain unveils a cool reinterpretation of the 50 fathoms with water tightness indicator. Meet the Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was designed in the early 1950s (by Jean-Jacques Fiechter who was Blancpain’s CEO at the time) to meet the requirements of Captain Bob Maloubier, to time the dives of French elite combat frogmen. The watch became a standard and still features all attributes of modern dive watches (rotating bezel with 60-minute scale, high water resistance, clear luminescent markings…). As indicated by its name, it was water resistant up to 50 fathoms, which is about 91.45 meters or 300ft.

With the pre-occupation for diver safety, an additional feature was soon incorporated, a circular water-tightness indicator. A colored disc allows to check that the integrity (water resistance) of the watch is preserved. Its color would turn to red in the event water resistance is compromised. It was present on the dial of the Fifty Fathoms model called the MIL-SPEC 1, which was introduced in 1957-58 and became a standard feature for American combat swimmers.

The new “Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC” comes with a 40.3 mm steel case. It features an entire set of modern dive watch features and it is water resistant to 300m. Its unidirectional rotating bezel is covered with sapphire. The curved sapphire crystal is nice touch and it provides great visual depth.

The Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC is built around the caliber 1151 with automatic winding. This high-grade, trustworthy, extra-flat movement with silicon hairspring operates at 21’600 vib/h and has two barrels giving it a pleasant power reserve of 4 days. Its finish is traditional with Geneva stripes, the rotor is in 18k gold with NAC coating.

The watch is offered with a NATO strap, sail cloth strap, or steel bracelet with a secure buckle. For more information visit www.blancpain.com.

Technical specifications – Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC

• Case: 40.3 mm diameter x 13.23 mm thick – steel case – rotating bezel –sapphire crystal – Water resistant to 30 ATM / 300m – black dial with water-resistance indicator.
• Movement: calibre 1151 mechanical movement with automatic winding – – 27.40 mm x 3.25 mm – 96h power reserve – 28 jewels – Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date.
• Strap:  NATO strap, sail cloth strap, or steel bracelet with a secure buckle.
• Limited edition of 500 pieces.
• Price: CHF 13,400
• Ref. 5008-1130-B52A.