The book is in fantastic condition with the exception of a tear on the hardcover on the backside which is shown in the pictures. When blancpain presented the fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s at baselworld 2018, it followed a very long tradition of fifty fathoms timepieces. The history of evolution of blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe. With breathtaking images, compelling, first hand accounts of the dives that made history, and contributions from the most illustrious pioneers of the diving. Blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec pays hommage to. The 2015 volume of edition fifty fathoms takes the blancpain ocean commitment into a new era of publication.
A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms by magnus salbu the blancpain fifty fathoms is a diving watch in its truest form, and arguably also the first specifically made for the task. The history of evolution of blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe garrett parker 2 years ago when blancpain presented the fifty fathoms bathyscaphe day date 70s at baselworld 2018, it followed a very long tradition of fifty fathoms timepieces. Blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec pays hommage. Blancpains thenceo jeanjaques feichter, an avid diver and sportsman, took the. As the fifty fathoms evolved and matured so did the world of diving. Fifty fathoms, the dive and watch history 195320 asian. This is one of the last vintage fifty fathoms designs before transitioning to the modern era, making this example a beautifully preserved relic of 1970sera diving timepieces. Blancpain donates 1,000 euros for each of the watches in the limited edition fifty fathoms ocean commitment bathyscaphe chronograph flyback making for a total of 250,000 euros to the various organizations that are part of its ocean commitment group. It is often regarded as the archetype of the dive watch. The blancpain fifty fathoms is a diving watch in its truest form, and arguably also the first specifically made for the task.
Blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii time and. Fans of classic divers watches now have a unique opportunity to read our test of one of the most popular blancpain watches. Introducing blancpain fifty fathoms automatique 5015. Historical perspectives a historical look at the blancpain. Stephens and frederick catherwood, and the discovery of the lost civilization of the maya. Edition fifty fathoms has been methodically designed to pay tribute to the first modern diving watch, the iconic fifty fathoms. The 1185 also built the base for calibre f185 featured in the probably most iconic blancpain aside the fifty fathoms and 1735. The dive and watch history 195320 hardcover book just published and released recently. From its birth in 1953, the fifty fathoms provided a. Blancpain has been a subsidiary of the swiss swatch group since 1992, and is regarded as a toptier swatch brand. The xfathoms is a mechanical leviathan attempting to wrest control of the seas from a smaller, more efficient and technologically superior opponent, the dive computer. Jun 10, 2018 blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii. This unit, created by the ministry of defence in 1952 and by captain robert bob maloubier and lieutenant claude aspirant riffaud, includes men who are.
The fifty fathoms was the brainchild of jeanjacques fiechter, then ceo of blancpain, who was an avid diver, something he shares with the current blancpain ceo marc a. In the middle of last century, the exploration of the oceans hidden depths became possible due to two key developments. As the blancpain fifty fathoms established itself as the worldwide standard for military diving watches, it achieved similar success in the civilian arena. To share its passion for diving, exploration and preservation of the worlds oceans, blancpain has collaborated with leading divers and underwater photographers to produce a collection of stunning books filled with breathtaking images which are now available for purchase. A new documentary from blancpain showcasing the history of the. This blancpain tribute to fifty fathoms milspec goes back to 1953 when the first fifty fathoms was released. Throughout the course of its 282year history, blancpain has achieved an astounding array of successes, and can also be attributed for its unique masterpieces. I had seen a picture of one of these watches in a japanese book about vintage dive watches. Dubbed the fifty fathoms, this watch became the functional and aesthetic template for countless dive watches to follow. The book, with its unique compilation of materials, has been conceived to become an authoritative historical resource for both divers and diving watch aficionados. Discover a new limited chronograph, the new book fifty fathoms the dive and watch history 195320 and the brands commitment to preserve and protect the worlds oceans.
Born in 1953, the blancpain fifty fathoms helped to defined many of the. Each book consists of 50 doublepage spreads, each measuring one fathom around its perimeter when open, hence a total of 50 fathoms. Why this watch matters this is one of the last vintage fifty fathoms designs before transitioning to the modern era, making this example a beautifully preserved relic of 1970sera diving timepieces. Fuchs, renowned diver and editor of international dive publications, and jeffrey s. The history as told by the pioneers who created it goes. As the story goes, two separate missions were afoot that lead to the creation of the fifty fathoms. When he took the reigns of the company in 1950, he set out to create a watch that could accompany him in the abyss below the surface.
The history of evolution of blancpain fifty fathoms. For every watch sold, blancpain donates 1,000 to the ocean commitment program, totaling an impressive 250,000 for the full run. If i could make any recommendation to blancpain it would be 1 for the price i believe they should include also the bracelet 2 improve the strap system, stop making our life difficult with the tubes and screws. This new volume for the first time comprehensively charts the milestones in the 60 year history of blancpains fifty fathoms. They were serious instruments and part of the required kit for any diver. A limited edition of 250 individuallynumbered pieces, the blancpain fifty. He is the founder of the eponymous watch brand which will remain familyowned, handed down to his descendants, for almost 200 years. The new fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii comes in a 40 mmdiameter satinbrushed steel case, an exclusive diameter reserved for limitededition fifty fathoms watches. According to the archives the grandnephew of the founder jehanjacques, frederic emile implanted the first blancpain factory in 1815 in villeret. Literature on specific watches blancpain rolex omega book. Today well go a bit deeper pun intended into how the blancpain fifty fathoms came to be, and how it has evolved over more than half a century. His company, blancpain, made dress watches and ladies watches but fiechter was an avid diver and he wanted something that he could use for diving that would suit his needs. Blancpain debuted as well a collectible volume entitled fifty fathoms the dive and watch history 195320.
This unit, created by the ministry of defence in 1952 and by captain robert bob maloubier and lieutenant claude aspirant riffaud, includes men who are particularly skillful, persistent, assertive and trained. Blancpain fabriccanvas wristwatch bands for sale ebay. The fifty fathoms is named after the fathom unit of measurement used for determining water depth. The complete buying guide to the blancpain fifty fathoms. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectable volume entitled. Fifty fathoms milspec i a rare and highly attractive stainless steel divers watch with black glossy dial, humidity indicator and diving log book. Jehanjacques blancpain registers himself as a watchmaker in the villeret village records. There is a lot to like here, and on top of this new watch, blancpain also announced a massive, 475page chronicle of the entire history of the fifty fathoms, the very. It is best known for its fifty fathoms diving watch introduced in 1953 and its 1735 grande complication wristwatch introduced in 1991. With special thanks to blancpain who were kind enough to share a selection of watches from their museum collection for photography, and for the production of the excellent book fifty fathoms the dive and watch history 195320 which proved to be an invaluable resource for this article. Flyback, and a new book celebrating the fifty fathoms. Blancpain originally developed the watch at the request of the french marines. From founder jehanjacques blancpain and the start of the business in 1735 to the great successes of the 1950s under the management of betty fiechter and his nephew jean jacques, who designed the fifty fathoms, till our days under the wing of the swatch group, we chronicle the history of blancpain, the oldest watch brand. A vintage watch guys thoughts on blancpains contemporary fifty fathoms collection blancpains tribute to fifty fathoms the fifty fathoms is, and has been since its introduction, one of the most iconic wristwatches of all time.
Working together with some of the finest underwater photographers for nearly half of his life, fuchs has met many dive media professionals, authors and photographers likewise, and has chosen the very best of all for their contributions to blancpains fifty fathoms. So i guess you could say that the blancpain fifty fathoms history is an important part of ownerappreciation and is something i often consider when purchasing any watch. Blancpain takes to the ocean with the fifty fathoms ocean. The histories of blancpains iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. The fifty fathoms was conceived before even the rolex submariner and omega seamaster, and its story even more dramatic. Fifty fathoms books ever since the creation of the first fifty fathoms watch, blancpain has been identified with the sea. Blancpain presented the third series of blancpain ocean commitment boc limited edition diving watches. May 23, 2017 throughout the course of its 282year history, blancpain has achieved an astounding array of successes, and can also be attributed for its unique masterpieces. Like the technical aspects of the watch, the depth rating might seem quite simple now however it was the deepest divers could descend with the technology available however another french diver looking to change that. Blancpains stunning, limited edition coffee table book charts 24 of the most exciting milestones in diving of the past 60 years.
Produced by blancpain and directed and written by jeffrey kingston, fifty fathoms. A vintage watch guys thoughts on blancpains contemporary. A brief history of the blancpain fifty fathoms timepiece. Blancpain fifty fathoms all prices for blancpain fifty. Left, the sapphire crystal of the fifty fathoms which has the visual. A limited edition of 250 individuallynumbered pieces, the blancpain fifty fathoms ocean commitment iii has a. Last week i wrote about the history of the blancpain fifty fathoms, now lets look at the wildest modern fifty fathoms. The fifty fathoms has enthralled divers worldwide for over 60 years. Jun 15, 2019 the 1185 also built the base for calibre f185 featured in the probably most iconic blancpain aside the fifty fathoms and 1735. May 23, 2015 a vintage watch guys thoughts on blancpain s contemporary fifty fathoms collection blancpain s tribute to fifty fathoms the fifty fathoms is, and has been since its introduction, one of the most iconic wristwatches of all time. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled. In 1953 the blancpain fifty fathoms was released, one year before the rolex submariner. From the birth of the fifty fathoms to the establishment of ocean commitment, blancpain has a rich history in the underwater world.
The histories of blancpains iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving. Kingston and stephan ciejka, noted watch journalists. The book, with its unique compilation of materials, has been conceived to. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectable volume entitled fifty fathoms.
Blancpain history and watch collections your watch hub. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The fifty fathoms was conceived before even the rolex submariner and. The first bathyscaphe was introduced in 20, and it was an intriguing combination of modern tech savvy and inspiration from vintage elements.
Blancpain a pioneer in the history of feminine watchmaking. Nov 04, 2019 his company, blancpain, made dress watches and ladies watches but fiechter was an avid diver and he wanted something that he could use for diving that would suit his needs. Editor edition fifty fathoms blancpain ocean commitment. This book is limited to just 3,000 copies and can be purchased for 280 swiss francs. The swiss manufacturer remains an outstanding example of how fine watchmaking can help shape history. Meanwhile other navies followed the lead of the french in selecting the blancpain fifty fathoms for their divers. The histories of blancpain s iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. Oct 17, 2014 this book is limited to just 3,000 copies and can be purchased for 280 swiss francs. The blancpain fifty fathoms blackbird watch manual. The histories of blancpains legendary fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself. The french frogmen unit is one of the oldest and most famous in the world. Jul 26, 2015 the histories of blancpain s iconic fifty fathoms, the worlds first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. The story of an unusual blancpain fifty fathoms rescapement. The history of the blancpain fifty fathoms started in 1953 with the companys ceo jeanjacques fiechters affinity for the ocean.
The blancpain fifty fathoms is the archetypal diving watch, weve told you that before. It is, thus, fitting that blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled fifty fathoms. By the 1970s, blancpain had bent the aesthetics of the fifty fathoms toward the discoeras blingy vibes, all in an attempt to keep pace with a new breed of watches loosely called luxury sport watches. At the time, mechanical divingwatches were not considered an horological luxury. The editorial team which created blancpain s fifty fathoms the dive and watch history 195320 drew upon the expertise of dietmar w. The conception and evolution of the modern diving watch, by jeffrey kingston. Literature on specific watches blancpain rolex omega. Blancpain a rare and highly attractive stainless steel. The blancpain fifty fathoms was developed in 1953 with french military divers, bob maloubier and claude riffaud who needed a rugged, functional watch for their perilous underwater missions.