Reply With QuoteThis video was very interesting as was the New York lecture.
I learnt quite a lot.
Do we have anyone on the forum with one of the originals or any connections with the story of the Fifty Fathoms?
If so I would love to see some photos.
I was watching a review on dive watches on you tube.
These unbelievable Blancpain videos kept coming up in the adds,they didnt even seem to be trying to sell watches it was more about the mission.
The filming is of such a high standard it makes the ocean look like a Sci-fi film set.
I would love to see these on a cinema screen.
The enthusiasm of the French divers comes across.
A bit more focusing on the watches.
This video was very interesting as was the New York lecture.
I learnt quite a lot.
Do we have anyone on the forum with one of the originals or any connections with the story of the Fifty Fathoms?
If so I would love to see some photos.
This has got to hurt Rolex fans,Rolex also claimed the FF leaked.
They did not understand the purpose of the moisture indicator and its reason for being there.
I’m a big fan of the early ones. I’ll take some pictures of my Aqualung in the morning.
Thanks appreciate it.
Some quick pics. There‘s something very special about these early fifty fathoms, it’s just sad that the cost of entry these days is prohibitive. This one came from an estate that was in storage and is completely original, it retains the original tri-color paint markings on the case seals.
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Last edited by HookedSeven; 18th July 2023 at 12:29.
That is LOVELY
Originally Posted by HookedSeven
Some quick pics. There‘s something very special about these early fifty fathoms, it’s just sad that the cost of entry these days is prohibitive. This one came from an estate that was in storage and is completely original, it retains the original tri-color paint markings on the case seals.
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Now that is a watch, so very desirable I am beginning to realy appreciate them.
Was the owner a collector or an old diver maybe?
Can you show us what is on the case back?
I think the strap would clean up as well,leave it to soak put it in a wash bag and put it in the machine (if its not fragile of course).
This lecture at 18m mins in was very good.
I didn’t get much information about of the owner. The storage unit was bought by a typical storage unit reseller, who found and sold the watch to an acquaintance, who then listed it on eBay where I bought it. No idea what the unit cost, but I know the guy I bought it from paid $100 as we had a good talk afterwards. For reasons that are entirely understandable he didn’t want to dig too deep with the original buyer !
The strap is just an old NATO that came on a seventies CWC, so not original to the watch. I’m trying to find an 11-rib pull though strap for it, the same as the type that originally came on the TR900 (and also appears in advertising for the FF).
Sadly, the last one I spotted on eBay was attached to a $10,000 Benrus Type 1 (photo courtesy of @homichel over on MWR).
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Thanks for taking the time to post that info.
Have I got it correct with the crown that it just pushes in and isn't screw down?
Though not exactly the same these are similar straps, they also do a ribbed NATO which the material looks closer to what you are looking for.
https://cnswatchbands.com/collections/raf-straps
Yes the early Fifty Fathoms were all push on crowns (not screw down). The gasket sits on the tube.
Thanks for the link. Actually A.F.0120 do a pretty good reproduction of the TR900 strap. I’ve got one of the development ones but, whilst a pretty faithful reproduction, it doesn’t stop me hunting out an original.
https://af0210strap.com/product/tr-9...-dive-watches/
I might get one of those for my Squale.
Good luck hunting for an original strap.
It’s fairly easy to drop watches off pull-through straps, so take care if you do get one. I’m much more of a fan of the NATO type, but for the Aqualung I’m aiming for originality so happy to let form beat function.
The story of the Blancpain FF is very nicely told.
Yes I agree, informative without being boring and made me want a original FF.
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