Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms, 'Barakuda' Polish Navy-Issued

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is widely credited as being one of the first three truly purpose-build dive watches that came out in 1953. During the first ten years or so of production, many different variants have surfaced, with slightly different dials, bezels, casebacks, and even movements. Unlike the Zodiac Seawolf and Rolex Submariner from the same era, the Fifty Fathoms range feature a much larger 41mm case size. Considered massive in the 1950s, it is a great size by the standards of today, due largely in part to the way the lugs turn down and taper inward. It is a beautiful design. The cases were also bead-blasted to reduce glare and increase scratch resistance. The result is a very tool-like appearance, yet still elegant with its glossy dial and beautiful script text. The resulting look, much like the other two aforementioned divers, is a wonderfully balance design. The Fifty-Fathoms that we have here features what could be called an 'exotic' dial, with red painted accents under the Tritium. Its namesake, 'Barakuda,' is rumored to come from the German dive equipment distributor, though these were sold in very small numbers on the civilian market, but also issued to both American and Polish militaries. This particular example is a Marynarka Wojenna, or Polish Military example dating to circa the 1960s. It remains in fantastic overall condition, with an excellent case, oversized crown, correct bezel assembly and black acrylic insert, and screw-down caseback. The appropriate military engravings are present not just on the caseback like you'd expect, but also on the left case profile. Inside, the dial is equally well-preserved, with evenly patinated indices, a matching white-painted handset, and virtually no damage to speak of given the life that this piece was intended for. It is powered by an automatic-winding movement from A. Schild and comes fitted to a period black rubber strap. These pieces simply do not surface often. This example is nothing short of a beautifully-preserved piece of both dive watch and military watch history.