Fifty Fathoms, The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013

The histories of Blancpain’s iconic Fifty Fathoms, the world’s first modern diving watch, and diving itself have been intertwined ever since 1953. It is, thus, fitting that Blancpain has brought these two stories together in a richly illustrated collectible volume entitled “Fifty Fathoms The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013”. Blancpain’s editors enlisted experts from both fields to chronicle the twin evolutions and milestones of underwater time keeping and exploration. The result is a comprehensive portrait of pioneers and inventors never before assembled in a single album. This volume with its unique compilation of materials has been conceived to become an authoritative historical resource for both divers and diving watch aficionados.

This new volume for the first time comprehensively charts the milestones in the 60 year history of Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms. From its birth in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms provided a formula so well conceived that it defined the entire genre ever since. Innovation did not stop with the first watch and Blancpain has honored and enriched the legacy with numerous inventions and improvements that have continued to secure the pre-eminent position of the Fifty Fathoms in the world of diving watches. 

As the Fifty Fathoms evolved and matured so did the world of diving. The editorial team which created Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013 drew upon the expertise of Dietmar W. Fuchs, renowned diver and editor of international dive publications, and Jeffrey S. Kingston and Stephan Ciejka, noted watch journalists. Its chapters recount the stories of 24 of the most important adventurers who pioneered exploration of the world’s oceans such as Hans Haas, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and Stan Waterman. This never before assembled resource of horology and diving also includes a time line charting these two histories as well as an encyclopedia of terms. (Worldwide Shipping offered)