The Blancpain series of dive watches have a history that is just as storied as some of the more infamous and famous dive watches of the same era. The Armed Forces were early adopters of Blancpain dive watches. Including the French and American Navy as were the early underwater explorers such as Jacque Cousteau among many others. The idea for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was conceived in 1952 when French Navy members required a dive watch for their elite team of combat “Frogmen” divers. After testing numerous dive watches French Navy officers Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier & Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, could not obtain one fit for the requirements of their elite team. The elite unit required a watch that was extremely water-resistant and still visible underwater even at night. Capt. Maloubier created the blueprints required and sent them around to various watch companies. At the time Most of the watchmaking companies at the time focused on manufacturing piloting and aviation watches. Finally, Capt. Maloubier and Lt. Riffaud engaged with Jean-Jacques Fiechter, who was Blancpain’s CEO from 1950 to 1980. Being a diver himself, Fiechter not only accepted the requirements to produce the timepiece for the elite team of combat divers but also added to the design features thus resulting in a product that adhered to the specifications set forth by the French Navy but also resulted in features and innovations for the dive watch industry as a whole.

(Capt. Bob Maloubier wearing a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms)

The term "limited-edition" is all too often overused as a marketing tool by brands that it is actually rare when a truly exclusive limited-edition timepiece makes its way onto the scene. This is why we are happy to offer the Blancpain X Hodinkee collaboration Fifty-Fathoms Bathyscaphe as a truly exclusive offering of only 100 pieces made in total with the result being one of the most tasteful and sought after modern watches recently produced. The Blancpain X Hodinkee Fifty-Fathoms feels authentically Blancpain with a blending aesthetic of the brand's modern style and its vintage history and comes complete in a wonderful presentation featuring a specially made Pelican case and a selection of handsome straps.

CASE & BRACELET

The angular case is exceptional, likely only worn a few times as it retains its strong angles and brushing with almost no signs of being used. The bezel is flawless. The sapphire crystal is flawless. The sapphire case back is in "like new" condition, displaying the beautiful cal. 1153 movement. The watch comes on its original 2pc Blancpain rubber and canvas waterproof strap and comes with two additional Hodinkee NATO straps. 

DIAL & HANDS

ACCESSORIES 

The watch comes complete with its original inner Pelican case and outer box, warranty card, limited production certificate, booklet, additional straps, diver's logbook, and a note from Hodinkee.