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A rare and beautiful early divers wristwatch with Canadian military aviation history, this vintage 1960's Blancpain Fifty Fathoms retailed by Aqua Lung is in all original condition featuring a wonderfully aged original factory printed "tropical" dial and bakelite bezel in a solid stainless steel, 37.5mm diameter case. This is a diving enthusiasts tool watch and certainly used as one by its previous owner, a life-long diver and Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who flew CF-100's and CF-101 Voodoo's all over the world from 1954 to 1980, then worked for the Canadian Department of National Defense until his retirement in 1987. A long time NAUI diving instructor he then opened Burton's Dive Service in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada which he operated from 1987 to 2004. This timepiece, purchased fairly early in his RCAF flying career certainly shows that history with honest wear to the case, a small ding at 53 minutes on the bezel and some even spotted patina on the dial, although the luminous has stayed a beautiful bright cream colour and matches the bezel. The roulette red/black date disk also shows some wear with a few of the numbers missing. This is the medium sized Fifty Fathoms model measuring a very wearable size at 37.5mm in diameter excluding the original crown with the 18mm lug spacing fitted with a period correct black rubber tropic strap with generic buckle. The beautiful, Blancpain Rayville S.A. signed movement in wonderful cosmetic and mechanical condition, freshly serviced here at Meticulous and keeping great time. A rare and beautiful Blancpain timepiece, produced in very limited numbers with a wonderful sense of history.
Circa: 1960's
Style: Sport, Tool
Case: Solid stainless steel case with original bakelite rotating bezel which turns with nice friction in both directions. Unpolished with original chamfers still showing on the lugs with light wear throughout. Measures 37.5mm diameter excluding the original unsigned crown with 18mm lug spacing. Signed on the back Blancpain, Waterproof, Shock Protected, Automatic, Antimagnetic, Stainless Steel, Swiss Made, then inside Rayville S.A.
Dial: Original factory printed glossy black dial with an even tropical patina finish and bright original luminous hours markers with date aperture at 3 o'clock. Signed Blancpain Aqua Lung, Automatic, 1000 Feet, Swiss Made. The roulette re/black date disk also shows some wear with a few of the numbers either not clear or missing. The hands still have there original luminous intact although also show some discolouration, most likely from exposure to moisture at some point in its history.
Movement: Superb quality AS (A.Shield) caliber 1555 automatic movement in superb cosmetic and mechanical condition with bright movement plates and clean parts, freshly serviced here at Meticulous and keeping excellent time. Signed Blancpain, Rayville S.A., 17 Jewels, Unadjusted, Swiss with the caliber number stamped on the mainplate beside the incabloc protected balance wheel.