Fine Watches
Fine Watches
Property of the original owner
Blancpain
Retailed by LIP: 'Civilian' Fifty Fathoms Montre bracelet en acier avec date et lunette Bakélite | Stainless steel wristwatch with date and Bakelite bezel Vers 1960 | Circa 1960
Lot Closed
October 16, 12:13 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 EUR
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Blancpain
Retailed by LIP: 'Civilian' Fifty Fathoms
Montre bracelet en acier avec date et lunette Bakélite |
Stainless steel wristwatch with date and Bakelite bezel
Vers 1960 |
Circa 1960
Cadran: noir
Calibre: cal. R.134 automatique, rubis
Numéro de mouvement: 46'043
Boîtier: acier, fond vissé
Numéro de boîtier: 113'498
Fermoir: bracelet Tropic en caoutchouc et boucle ardillon en acier
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signé: boîtier, cadran et mouvement
Ecrin: non
Papiers: non
Accessoires: rapport de service et pochette de voyage Blancpain
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. R.134 automatic, jeweled
Movement number: 46'043
Case: stainless steel, screw-down back
Case number: 113'498
Closure: Tropic rubber strap and stainless steel pin buckle
Size: 37 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Blancpain service report and travel pouch
Poids brut 54.10 g |
Gross weight 54.10 g
The renowned Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms, queen of diving watches, was introduced in 1953, the same year as the Rolex Submariner. It included all the key features of the professional diver's watch: legibility, time measurement, and water resistance.
In 1954, the French company LIP signed a commercial agreement with 'Manufacture d'horlogerie Rayville S.A.', successor to Blancpain, allowing the distribution rights for these watches in France. By 1955, LIP launched the Fifty-Fathoms in France, featuring a black dial stamped 'Blancpain-Lip'.
Shortly after, a smaller model arrived, which we are pleased to offer here. This smaller, 37 mm diameter wristwatch is a "civilian" version of the professional Fifty-Fathoms diver, boasting equally impressive features and inheriting the same remarkable history of the birth of professional diving.
The present model is sold by the first owner, a French military diver, who bought the watch in Alger in 1954.
Passionate about diving, exploration, and spearfishing, he used his beautiful watch for both leisure and professional purposes in numerous seas and oceans.
Today, this dedicated diver, now 91 years old, still meticulously and rigorously pursues his passion.
Sotheby's is delighted to present this timepiece on his behalf, after it went through a full service at Blancpain in 2023.