Blancpain 500 Fathoms 50015-12B30-52B

Blancpain 500 Fathoms 50015-12B30-52B Limited Edition Of 500. 48mm/ 16.9 mm Deep Titanium case. Automatic Blancpain 1315 Calibre Movement. Black Dial with charcoal sunburst pattern, luminous numerals, date. 100 bar Water Resistance. Black Rubber-Lined Sail Canvas Strap with a Folding clasp. Box and Paper dated July 2012. (RRP £22,800)

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, introduced in 1953, stands as a horological icon and a pioneer in the world of dive watches. Conceived in response to a French naval request for a reliable diver’s timepiece, it was one of the earliest modern dive watches, predating the Rolex Submariner.

Blancpain’s creation brought several innovations to the industry, including a unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring dive times and a high-visibility dial with luminous markers for readability underwater. Powered by an automatic movement, it boasted a water resistance of 50 fathoms, or approximately 91 meters.

Militaries around the world adopted the Fifty Fathoms, customizing it to their specifications. Over time, it gained recognition in pop culture, notably seen on the wrist of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Today, Blancpain continues to evolve the Fifty Fathoms collection, maintaining its legacy as a symbol of dive watch excellence and a testament to a rich history of innovation and underwater exploration.