Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 'Barakuda' Limited Edition

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is without question one of the most iconic dive watches, and also one of the first of its kind; however, it might never have been made at all were it not for one man — Jean-Jacques Fiechter of Blancpain.

In 1952, the French Navy tasked two veterans with a formidable mission. These men — Captain Bob Maloubier and Lt. Claude Riffaud — were to create a specialized unit of combat divers meant to act under the utmost secrecy. Some of their missions were to include attacking ports as well as sabotage.

Maloubier and Riffaud  had a general idea of what gear the divers needed — compasses, depth gauges, and of course, watches. But as far as watches were concerned, there was nothing on the market designed specifically for the use to which these combat divers would put it.

So Maloubier, armed with a pencil and protractor, sketched a watch. Not just any watch, but one ideally suited for diving. It needed to have a robust, watertight case and a dial that would be legible in the darkest of nights, at the deepest of depths.

Blancpain was the only manufacturer that agreed to produce Maloubier's new design. Fiechter, Blancpain’s CEO at the time, relied on Maloubier's expertise and his own diving experience — he had once nearly run out of air underwater for lack of a timing device — to create a unique timepiece equipped with a Bakelite bezel and rubber gaskets. Thus, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms dive watch was born.

This particular Fifty Fathoms, a Reference 5008B-1130, is a faithful recreation of the Blancpain ‘Barakuda’, a robust model created specifically for the German Navy, or Bundesmarine — which is what it was known as at the time. Issued to its combat swimmers, this piece was characterized by its distinguishable two-tone indices with red stripes.

It features a 40mm stainless steel case, a fully-graduated sapphire timing bezel with patinated finishing, a domed sapphire crystal, the manufacture’s namesake engraved on the 9 o’clock case flank, and a exhibition sapphire caseback framing the Calibre 1151 self-winding movement.

The luminous, matte-black dial features printed indices with a matching, patinated finish and the signature distal red stripe; a matching handset; a ‘spear’ central-seconds hand; and a framed date window at 3 o’clock. 

Equipped with 300 meters of water resistance, 100 hours of power reserve, and appropriately outfitted to a signed, Tropic-style strap, this piece is more than just a pretty thing — it’s robustly made and timelessly designed.

What’s more, it was part of a limited-edition release of just 500 units. This example is individually numbered ‘173’ and is accompanied by a signed leather folio; books; a dated warranty card; and one of our fantastic Analog:Shift watch boxes.

Want to be a proud owner of a dive watch icon? This is your chance!

Blancpain, the esteemed Swiss manufacturer that opened its doors in 1735 (and the oldest surviving watchmaker in the world), is known globally for crafting some of the most elegant pocket and dress wristwatches in history. Many of these pieces are brilliant works of horological art, and as a category are worthy of in-depth study and analysis. Since the firm’s acquisition by the modern forerunner of the Swatch Group in 1992, it has become synonymous with dazzling and complicated dress pieces, many of which are produced in precious metals.

But Blancpain's other genius — and what has arguably ensured their legacy — is the entrant into the world of purpose-built tool watches, and the industry's prototypical modern diver's watch: the legendary Fifty Fathoms. The genesis of this legendary timepiece has its roots in post-World War II France, where Captain Bob Maloubier (previously of the Special Operations Executive) and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud were tasked with setting up the French combat diver commando unit. The two approached Blancpain in the pursuit of a specialized diver’s watch — the design of which Maloubier drew up himself — and the Fifty Fathoms was born.

Later adopted by the militaries of Germany and the United States, the Fifty Fathoms now forms the core of Blancpain’s dive watch collection, having spawned myriad iterations over the years, including complicated and chronograph versions. It is the savoir faire necessary to produce such disparate products as an elegant gold moon phase and a steel combat diver’s watch that makes Blancpain such a fascinating company, and a compelling product to collect.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.