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Fifty Fathoms – How LIP missed the chance

Thanks to Blancpain, I had the opportunity to discuss with Robert Maloubier about the origin of the Fifty Fathoms.

As you may know, Robert Maloubier founded in the early 50ies the first French combat divers. But this is only a very limited experience with respect to his incredible life. When I read his biography, I was especially impressed by his youth when he joined the British Intelligence to support the Free French Force. But that is another story.

Going back to watches, I was also very interested in a quick extract of his biography : In the early 50ies, standards for diving watches were not yet defined. There were few waterproof watches, but none of them was really a professionnal diving instrument. Therefore, Robert Maloubier was considering a bespoke watch when he first contacted LIP, a famous French watchmaking firm.

The scene is described hereafter (sorry, it is in French):





credit : Robert Maloubier, Plonge dans l'or noir, espion !, Editions Robert Laffont, 1986


For non French speaker, in few words, Robert Maloubier explains that LIP first proposed a very small gold-filled watch with a massive domed crystal... very far from his requirements. Then, Robert asked if LIP would consider a dedicated production based on detailed specifications that he submitted : bigger watch, rotatable outer bezel, large numerals, LIP answered « No future »

When I met Rober Maloubier last week, I asked him about the LIP watch that was mentioned in his book. Did he remember the watch?
- Oh, yes, perfectly, he said
- Can I show show some photos?

I did not come with empty pockets. I had photos of a watch called LIP Abyssal. A watch that could match the description.


« Gold-filled watch »


 

« Small diameter »

The watch is about 35mm.


 

« Massive domed crystal »




Verdict : Yes. Robert Maloubier confirmed me that these photos show the exact same watch as the one proposed by LIP at that time.

I think this LIP Abyssal watch is very interesting because it illustrates how big the gap was at the very beginnning of the diving activity. Watchmakers were very far from the needs that divers could have.

It is not because you print a frog on the dial that you design a watch for frogmen!




The size of the domed crystal is also very impressive and smells like an experimental try. It also reminds me of the Rolex bathyscaphe with its huge domed crystal.


"Finally, a small watchmaking company, Blancpain, agreed to realize our project whose requirements were: black dial, bold large numerals and clear markings: triangles, circles, squares; a rotatable outer bezel which repeated the markings of the dial."

Who said: "No future?"


To conclude, I let you enjoy the inscription that Bob Maloubier kindly wrote on the book.




"Few marks of LIP
A lot of Blancpain
What's the big hurry?
As the Blancpain
is still here !
Kind regards,"

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-11-05 23:24:56 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-11-05 23:26:06 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-11-11 09:51:35

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