BLANCPAIN’S FIFTY FATHOMS EXHIBIT
781 Madison Avenue.
NYC
Opening Reception
---J. Ecochard---
---J. Ecochard---
Even the Big Apple’s slushy streets couldn’t deter a rather well-dressed crowd from turning out for the opening reception celebrating Blancpain’s collection of acclaimed Fifty Fathoms Watches.
This luxury brand--- that painstakingly crafts some of the most highly esteemed timepieces in the world---honored one of the original French military divers, Captain “Bob” Maloubier ---who helped create the Les Nageurs de Combat diving unit for the French military---in 1952.
And so he required a battle tough watch that could withstand underwater challenges endured under the most trying circumstances.
Blancpain engineers and watchmakers accordingly complied- coming up with the original Fifty Fathoms (at a water resistant depth of 91.45 meters, FYI---the depth that divers could safely descend to-at that time- breathing compressed air)...
Encased in stainless steel, the original model, introduced to the public in 1954--- boasted the world’s first functioning undirectional rotating bezel that tracked dive times---with super luminous oversized Arabic numerals and markers---a necessity for this crème de la crème group.
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| from Blancpain's website |
Impressed, the finest fighters around the world including the US Navy Seals, and esteemed scientists like Jacques Cousteau--- adopted subsequent models of this waterproof timepiece.
Now available in several limited editions--- the latest models---
the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph with complete calendar and moonphases…
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| Captain Maloubier and an admirer. |
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| A Laboratory's worth of instruments and expertise required to service any Blancpain watch |
----is powered by the Calibre 66BF8 self-winding movement with a power reserve of 40 hours and (patented) adjustable displays on demand via user-friendly correctors under the lugs.
Technically complicated---and handsome too.
INFO: BLANCPAIN
Exhibition at 781 Madison Avenue boutique (near 65th Street)---runs though Feb. 11th, 2011
Exhibition at 781 Madison Avenue boutique (near 65th Street)---runs though Feb. 11th, 2011
