Tag: Hodinkee

Blancpain launched a new version of its iconic watch from the mid-1950s, the Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec, is an impressive recreation of a time-honoured watch and was also an inspiration for many dive watches from other brands.

Going back to the past and after the end of World War II, instrument watches continued to be an important piece of military equipment, so it was no accident that many watches that we know today still have the connotation of being born inspired by military forces and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec is probably one of the fathers of this connotation. Developed by rigorous military requirements, with an easy-to-read underwater dial, highly reliable, robust and resistant, it was soon chosen to equip military forces worldwide. Therefore, it was not surprising that in 1953 it was adopted by the Combat Diving Corps of the French Army and a few years later, when incorporating a moisture indicator on the dial around 1957-58, it was also adopted by the units of US combat divers (including the elite UDT and Navy Seals).

This new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec, is a limited edition of 250 pieces, launched exclusively in the USA and developed in collaboration with Hodinkee. It is faithful in dimensions and design to their ancestors, a brushed satin case of 40.3 mm, a matte black dial without a date window, white hour indexes that vary between sticks and circles and a diamond shape that marks the 12 o’clock, white hours and minutes central hands, a central seconds hand, a humidity indicator at 6 o’clock and 300m water resistance. Off the dial, a unidirectional black sapphire bezel, a crown at 3 o’clock with tiny crown guards. This watch is powered by an In-house calibre 1154 with automatic winding, antimagnetic characteristics thanks to its silicon balance spring, a power reserve of 4 days and a sapphire bottom that allows observing the movement of the watch. As expected, the watch comes with a black Nato nylon strap.

These watches will be available at Blancpain Boutiques in the United States and also at the Hodinkee online store, for $ 14,400.

General Specifications:

Brand: Blancpain

Model: Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec Limited Edition for Hodinkee

Reference: 5008 11B30 NABA

Dial: Matt Black

Lume: Super-LumiNova

Case Material: Satin-brushed stainless steel

Case Dimensions: 40.3 mm diameter, 13.23 mm thickness

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Sapphire Glass

Caliber: 1154

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moisture indicator, diving bezel

Winding: Self-winding

Power Reserve: 4 Days

Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Strap: Black nylon Nato strap

Price: $14,400

Limited Edition: 250 pieces