High resolution, book format. Deconstruction Series Blancpain The Original Fifty Fathoms Divers Watch by THE NAKED WATCHMAKER Images from www.thenakedwatchmaker.com All texts, photographs and illustrations are Copyright ©2018 The Naked Watchmaker Edition BP1a Formatted for use on mobile telephones, laptops and tablets. All rights to this publication are reserved. It would be appreciated by the author that no part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, xerography and videography recording, with out the permission of The Naked Watchmaker. The Original Fifty Fathoms Divers Watch The original Fifty Fathoms carried the trademark “LIP Blancpain”. LIP was a watch retailer in Paris and manufacturer in Besançon. Jean-Jacques Fiechter, Blancpain's CEO from 1950 until 1980, a diver himself, developed the Fifty Fathoms model. On the following pages is an example of the original Fifty Fathoms divers watch which was manufactured in the early 1950’s. Incabloc, ie shock protection for the balance pivots of the balance staff, was developed in the late 1940’s. This was a considerable evolution in practical watchmaking. Prior to Incabloc, when watches received shocks, the balance pivots could be easily broken and the watch would stop. This was such a phenomena that the military would employ watch technicians to repair the watches that were being damaged in action. Antimagnetic/waterproof & shockproof, even automatic, as engraved below were all technological advances of the period and used as strong selling points. This watch was restored & photographed at Blancpain in their restoration workshop. The soft iron cover (cage) protecting the movement from magnetism. The pip, or button in the centre would push against the inner case back holding the movement in place. The fully assembled movement. The under-dial view of the movement. The mainplate is slightly domed as was often the style in the 1940’s to allow a curved dial to be added.