The Watch
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The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is the original modern Divers Watch, first released in 1953, one year before Rolex debuted the Submariner, it is from the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms that that most modern dive watches spring. The Bathyscaphe, first released sometime in the late 1950s and named for the submersible cabin in which divers could explore parts of the ocean too deep for an exposed diver. The Bathyscaphe was inspired by Jacques Piccard, the Swiss explorer who descended into the Marianas Trench in 1960 in the bathyscaphe Trieste.
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This Fifty Fathoms from Blancpain is a pure, elegant tool watch with touches of vintage design at its core, complemented by modern day functionality. The brushed stainless steel case measures 43mm in width with surprising wearability thanks to slenderness and elegance on its side. Its large guardless crown is joined by two even more prominent pump pushers used to operate the flyback chronograph.
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Don’t be fooled into thinking this watch is all looks, though, it has some serious Watchmaking heat to offer, the Blancpain way. The in-house automatic caliber F385 jumps out through the display case back along with its gorgeous finishing. An impressive 50 hours of autonomy is achieved along with a frequency of 36,000 vph for this vertical clutch, flyback chronograph movement.. the Bathyscaphe from its case alone oozes confidence in and out of the water, being a watch that is more than prepared for a few bumps.
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The Watch is accompanied by the set of inner and outer boxes, Technical Booklet and Blancpain Service Paperwork from 2019. The Leather is a little tatty inside the box.
Age: c.2017-2018.
Reference: 5000-1110-70B
Movement: Automatic with 12 Hour/30 Minute Flyback Chronograph, Hacking Sweep Seconds and Quickset date.
Calibre: Chronometer Rated Blancpain Caliber F385.
Timekeeping: Chronometer Spec.
Service History: Serviced by Blancpain March 2019.
Dial: Original Blancpain Factory Dial.
Dial: Original Blancpain Factory Dial.
Case: Brushed Stainless Steel.
Case Size: 43mm.
Bezel: Unidirectional 120 Click Ceramic Insert Bezel.
Water Resistant?: Yes, 300m. Please ensure the Crown is Screwed to the Case!
Hands: Original Hands.
Crystal: Original Sapphire Crystal.
Crystal: Original Sapphire Crystal.
Crown: Original Screw Down Blancpain Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On the Original Black Sail-Canvas Strap with Blancpain Buckle. Worn but plenty of life left in the Strap.
Lug Width: 23mm.
Box/Papers: Inner and Outer boxes, Technical Booklet and Blancpain Service Paperwork from 2019.
Box/Papers: Inner and Outer boxes, Technical Booklet and Blancpain Service Paperwork from 2019.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Iconic line.
- Brushed Steel Case.
-Excellent Lume.
- 300m Water Resistant.
- Top Quality Movement with 50 Hour Power Reserve.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Hardly worn mentioning, but there are very minor signs of wear to the Case.
-Leather a little tatty inside box.
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Overall this Flyback is in Excellent pre-owned condition with very minor signs of wear.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.