Blancpain Fifty Fathoms "No Rad" Date, early 1960

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The Fifty Fathoms was originally developed in collaboration with the French Navy’s elite combat divers—and its legacy lives on today, even in modern pop culture, thanks to the recent Blancpain × Swatch Bioceramic Scuba collection. But if you’ve got the Swatch, you really need to experience the original. This is a desirable 41mm example in beautiful, honest condition—exactly what we love to see. The name Fifty Fathoms might sound unusual, but it refers to a British unit of measurement. A fathom equals about six feet, so fifty fathoms translates to roughly 91 meters—close to 300 feet—the maximum depth divers could reach with the technology available at the time. Fifty Fathoms watches have seen serious military use over the decades, trusted by forces from France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and most famously, the U.S. Navy. This particular version is the highly sought-after "No Radiations" model, often nicknamed the “No-Rad.” What makes it special? That iconic yellow-and-red crossed-out radiation symbol on the dial. It signified that no radium was used in the luminous material—a move made in the early 1960s as the health risks of radium became more widely known. The “No Rad” logo offered peace of mind to both professional and recreational divers. Due to their historical significance—and that instantly recognizable symbol—these models are now highly prized by collectors. Blancpain has even released tribute editions of the Fifty Fathoms No Rad, cementing its place in the brand’s history. The matte case is in fine condition with a beautiful luminous rotating dive bezel. The dial remains glossy, featuring an applied Blancpain logo, a date window, warm yellow patina on the lume, and a handsome pencil-style handset with matching yellow lume. We’ve paired this iconic diver with one of our Nautic straps—similar to the original rubber straps these “fifties” were delivered with back in the day. The automatic movement (based on an A. Schild caliber AS.1700) has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. For collectors and enthusiasts, the "No Rad" is more than just a beautiful timepiece—it’s a symbol of a bygone era when watches were true tools built for survival. Let’s talk. Specifications: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “no rad “ date Serial 301xxx dating to the early 1960’s Matte Steel 41mm case Black Dial chapter ring , pencil hands and “ no Radiation “ logo Original bakelite bezel insert Automatic movement , based on an A.Schild AS.1700 movement Comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons Nautic weave rubber strap Fully serviced by our watchmaker