Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5008-1130-71S

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5008-1140-71S is a limited edition timepiece of 500 units, released in 2017. It pays homage to the brand’s iconic Fifty Fathoms dive watch, which was one of the first modern dive watches when it was introduced in 1953. This specific reference is a tribute to the “MIL-SPEC” and “Barakuda” models from the late 1960s, which were supplied to the German Navy (Bundesmarine). The watch features a moisture indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial, a distinctive feature of the original MIL-SPEC models. The Barakuda influence is seen in the two-tone rectangular hour markers. The watch is powered by the in-house Caliber 1151, which boasts a 100-hour power reserve and a silicon balance spring for enhanced anti-magnetic properties, making the traditional soft iron cage unnecessary and allowing for a display caseback. It is a significant piece as it blends the rich military history of the Fifty Fathoms with modern watchmaking technology.