
Blancpain’s ‘Rad’ New Timepiece
The historic Swiss manufacture remodels an iconic reference.
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Horology has a sophisticated way of looking at what’s gone before in the delivery of exciting new references.
And Blancpain’s latest limited-edition piece does just that — the Fifty Fathoms ‘No Radiations’ paying firm homage to the ‘60s cult-classic diving instrument originally used by German Navy Combat Swimmers and stamped with a ‘No Radiations’ logo (indicating Blancpain’s timepiece was free from radium and to also differentiate those made for civilians and those made to meet military standards).
The original has subsequently become a highly coveted and collectible vintage piece — so little wonder, perhaps, that Blancpain is heading back to the future.
The new Fifty Fathoms ‘No Rad’ offers a 40.3mm stainless-steel case (a size now reserved for limited-edition novelties) fitted with a matte black dial and contrasting markings on the hour, chapter ring, hands, time scale and bezel in ‘old radium’- coloured SuperLuminova.
At 3 o’clock sits a date window highlighted by a white rim – as seen on the 60s Fifty Fathoms variants – while a yellow and red ‘No Radiations’ logo holds a certain central dominance on the dial.
The unidirectional rotating bezel is typical of Fifty Fathoms models and is fitted with a sapphire insert, with domed profile and water-resistant to 300 metres.
The timepiece comes powered by Blancpain’s Calibre 1151 – a self-winding movement that boats silicon balance spring and four-day power reserve.
The watch arrives with a strap in ‘Tropic’-type rubber, a material popular with divers in the ‘60s due to its durability and general comfort.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ‘No Radiations’ is limited to 500 pieces and priced at $19,500.
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