Blancpain Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC 5008-1130-NABA

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “No Radiations”, ref. 5008-1130-NABA, is a highly sought-after limited edition of 500 pieces released in 2021. Its significance is rooted in its direct tribute to a rare and iconic Fifty Fathoms “Bund” model from the mid-1960s, which was supplied to the German Navy’s combat swimmers. The historical context is the transition away from radioactive radium lume in watchmaking. The original watches featured a prominent “no radiations” symbol on the dial to clearly indicate the absence of harmful materials, a crucial detail for military procurement. This modern tribute faithfully recreates that striking yellow and red logo above 6 o’clock. The watch is housed in a 40.3mm polished stainless steel case, a deliberate reduction from the standard 45mm, making it more wearable and truer to vintage proportions. The dial features a matte black finish with “Old Radium” colored Super-LumiNova on the markers and hands, enhancing the vintage aesthetic. It is powered by the in-house Caliber 1151, offering a 100-hour (4-day) power reserve and a silicon balance spring. The “NABA” suffix indicates it was sold on a “Tropic” style rubber strap, which was characteristic of dive watches from that era.