Blancpain

amanico
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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 2010 Exhibition.

My friends, let me say it straight, this was an exhibition to not miss!

For those who live in the US or in Asia and who could not make the trip to Paris, an advice:

Don't miss it, just don't miss it, when it comes to you.

As far as I know, this is the very first time Blancpain organized an event entirely dedicated to their Vintage Fifty Fathoms.

Of course, the brand did something when the 50th Anniversary Fifty Fathoms was launched, in 2003, and for the new one, in 2007, but they never mainly focus on their past in such a way.

The concept behind this exhibition is as clear as it is appealing: Here, almost no pieces were shown from the Museum Collection, only pieces coming from all over the world, belonging to Collectors, who generously let them go for the event, which will last several months.

So this Exhibition is YOUR exhibition, my friends, these are your pieces which are shown to the whole world of amateurs, passionate guys, curious people, and Collectors.

Of course, Blancpain has a great merit in this matter.

They perfectly organized the event, and a most important thing, to my eyes, they think about creating it, under Stephan Ciejka's impulsion, and they managed to receive more than 100 timepieces, without counting the " goodies ".

Gathering watches is a thing, another very important thing is to gather Collectors.

Collectors who are known from us, who are part of us, like Stephan ( aka Fifity Fathoms ), or Eitan ( aka Ubik ), Christophe ( Marv ), Jeff Kingston ( hey, Jeff, it was a real pleasure to finally meet you! ) and some who are not posting, but who always have an eye on us, on our treasures, and who own some of the most impressive Fifty Fathoms collection I know, such as my friends J.C and J.L, who let go for this noble cause some of the rarest watches, such as TR 900, US NAVY, Pakistanese Army, Gold Filled Lip Blancpain... The list can't be exhaustive.

Collectors, but not only...

Who can be this " Monsieur " with the big moustache?



Captain Robert " Bob " Maloubier, himself!

Let's keep in mind that if the Fifty Fathoms is born, it is mainly due to him, and to his friend and " compagnon d'armes " Claude Riffaud, who are 2 Military Heroes in France.

Bob Maloubier created the Elite Corps of the French Nageurs de Combat ( Frogmen ) just after the World War II.

He explained to us that this Corps didn't exist before, even if he sunk some ennemy war ships a bit before the famous Italian Xma Mas, but while speaking to the General De Gaulle, and telling him that the British Army had such a specialized corps, as well as the Italians, the Germans, and the Americans, of course, De Gaulle gave him the order and the responsability to do so.

In 1947, The Commando Hubert was born, first a Parachutiste de Marine Commando, then, in 1953, Nageurs de Combat Commando, under the authority of Mr Claude Riffaud.

One year before, in 1952, a " frogmen school " was created in Arzew ( Algeria ) with, at their head, Claude Riffaud and Bob Maloubier.

From the Military to Horology, there was a very close path...

Here again, the two same names have to be mentionned: Bob Maloubier and Claude Riffaud.

Claude Riffaud made a draw of what would be the perfect divers watch, and established a kind of " terms of service ":

The dial had to be black, big numbers, round, triangular or suqared indications, and a turning bezel, to measure the diving time and to ensure a perfect legibility.

They first came to see a French company called LIP, which was not convinced by the project, " it will not commercially work ", Lip said...

Then, they met the " Spirotechnique ", a company specialized in diving tools, such as depthmeter and compasses, which are essential tools fro any military or civilian diver.

The last meeting was gathering our 2 heroes and a certain Jean Jacques Fliechter who was the Blancpain CEO at this moment.

Bob Maloubier explained how weird and improbable was this association: The Nageurs de Combat were bad boys, from one side, while the Blancpain watchmakers were at the opposite: Shy and very polite guys... 2 opposite, very different worlds were gathering, as they share one need and one passion: A watch for Divers.

A gathering which was possible because Mr Fliechter was also a ... Diver.

So was born the Fifty Fathoms, first tested and adopted by the French Marine, then by others, such as the US, German, British, Pakistanese and some others.

Let's keep in mind that the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is considered as the first Diving watch, which is true, and not true.

Not true, because we have to remember that the Panerai 3646 can claim this honorific title.

True, because it is the first ( what about the Rolex Submariner, which was released the same year? ) diving watch coming with an outside bezel.

It is also very interesting to notice some common aesthetical and mechanical points, with the Rolex Submariner, such as the overall look, but also the automatic movement, which is also very interesting in a water resistant watch, as it allows the wearer to avoid to have to manipulate the crown, which is a traditional weak point when it comes to water resistance.

That being said, let's finally have a look at the pictures of the event I managed to take:

The speech was assured with Maestria by Alain Delamuraz ( Blancpain Head Marketting ), Stephan Ciejka ( Chief Redactor of the French " La Revue Des Montres, Expert in Military Watches, Fifty Fathoms Lover, and ... a great friend ), and, of course, Bob Maloubier, in impressive shape!

When Stepha, Ciejka speaks...



You'd better listen to him, RELIGIOUSLY:





Our Moderator, Foversta, was here, captivated by the eloquence of our speakers, he is now converted to these cult watches, and even considers to trade his Patek World Time for a Fifity Fathoms US NAVY.



Just beside him, another great Monsieur interested in Military Watches... Konrad Knirim!



For those who thought that Fifty Fathoms Lovers belong to a kind of Sect, let me show you one picture:



There was people everywhere, on the 2 floors of the Blancpain Boutique, even outside, discussing, sharing their common passion for this watch, making new friends, and meeting old friends, around a grogeous Buffet and great Champagne.

The place was kept by another great symbol of the Diving World: A Comex Diver:



Some watches, now.

Here, I have to tell you that I'm not very happy with the pics, due to the light conditions ( and the good Champagne, maybe... ), but I managed to get the permission to take better pictures at the end of the Parisian Exhibition, in the last days of November.

But, to help you to wait, here is my poor attempt:

An historical array of Military Milpsecs and Authentic No Rads:



Do you recognize some of them?





AM, Pakistanese, Civilian Milspec used by the US Navy, all the rare, very rare stuff is here...

Unbelievable!



A bunch of authentic " No Rad " FFs, not these recased Polish Navy:



An early Fifty Fathoms, in its proper environment... This one looks familiar to me:





Do you want to see what can of disastrous effect can couse 3 TR 900, an US NAVY and another Military Milspec in the flesh?

TERRIFIC!

You will also notice the " goodies, " such as the Military Knife, from the SEALs, and the Diver Equipment:



And what about this window, dedicated to some great FFs, Rotomatic Incabloc, Lip Blancpain, Aqualung 1 000 Feet, and mid size Fifty Fathoms?



A sublime pair of R.I:



I'm a sucker for these 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 dials.

Did you notice the Gold Filled Ultra Rare Lip Blancpain?

Only 20 ( !!! ) were made, according to Stephan Ciejka.



A quattuor of mid size Lip Blancpain:



If you're in love with the end 60ies and Seventies Fifity Fathoms, here are some pictures for you.



A very nice small box and papers Lip Blancpain in company of some monsters from the Seventies:



A batch of colorful " 1 000 Meters " and 2 Bunds ( on your right ) :



Some Bathyscaphe from the 60ies and the 70ies, and a superb 50th Anniversary:



As you were brave enough to read me, I will now show you something exceptional, which was not often seen, one of the most mysterious Fifity Fathoms ever made, the famous ...

Air Command!

This piece belongs to a collector and friend of mine.

It is ( the watch, not the friend but the friend also ) in superb condition and unpolished, with the beveled lugs still intact.

You will notice that the case has a different shape than the FFs, and also that the hands look like being stuck on the dial, in the same position, for a long time, as their radium made a mark on the dial, at 10 past 10.

The bezel is different, too, from what we use to see on the FFs, much thinner.





A view on the engine, a Valjoux 222, stop second, if I'm not wrong:



The case back, which will look familiar to us all:



And, to end this post in beauty, let me announce you a very exciting news:

MM Delamuraz, Ciejka and Maloubier consider, very seriously, to create a Club for Fifty Fathoms Lovers, to gather all the informations about our beloved watches, share our passion, and meet each other on a regular basis, around a drink, a buffet, whatsoever.

Are you in to belong to the " Fathomisti " Family?



I would not definitely conclude without expressing well deserved thanks to the Blancpain Team for their warm and friendly welcome, to Stephan Ciejka for having given the impulsion, and to Mr Bob Maloubier for his presence at this event, and for sharing with us all his uncommon experiences.

Thanks, too, to all of you, for having accepted to make this event possible, and to let go your treasures fro such a long time.

And if all this would contribute to generate a great Community?

Best,

Nicolas

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