tamara
09.06.2021 10:22:17
One of the first Fifty Fathoms from Blancpain. Image: hautetime.com [links]
See full version: Dive Watch Fundamentals – How Blancpain gave birth to the modern dive watch
One of the first Fifty Fathoms from Blancpain. Image: hautetime.com [links]
At the close of WW2, Maloubier would enlist in the Marine Nationale (French Navy), and it was during his time at “Le Royale” that he and fellow compatriot, Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, would establish the French military’s combat diving corps, more commonly known as the “French Frogmen”.
Many, many people out there view the ubiquitous Rolex Submariner as the forefather of all amphibious timepieces. And they’re dead wrong. In fact, the first truly fit-for-purpose dive watch was made by one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers in the game – Blancpain.
The relatively complex case structure of the early Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Image: watchprosite.com
That watch they developed would become what we now know as the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. [links]
Enter Jean-Jacques Fiechter, CEO of Blancpain. A keen diver in his own right, Fiechter had been tinkering with the concept of a purpose-built amphibious timepiece ever since he took the helm of the Swiss watchmaker in 1950. And when Maloubier and Riffaud approached Fiechter and Blancpain, the trio knew they now had everything they needed to create the first watch of its kind. more
A 1953 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
The relatively complex case structure of the early Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Image: watchprosite.com
At the close of WW2, Maloubier would enlist in the Marine Nationale (French Navy), and it was during his time at “Le Royale” that he and fellow compatriot, Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, would establish the French military’s combat diving corps, more commonly known as the “French Frogmen”.
With half a century of history and remarkable innovation, Seiko’s diver’s watch has been used all over the world in diverse situations. Over the years, the timepiece has proven itself worthy of any harsh environment and has been praised from professional divers. more
For saturation diver’s watches, helium is a constant issue. The gas penetrates the glass, and in some cases the difference in external and internal air pressure causes the glass cover to break. While other companies focus on methods to release Helium with an escape valve, Seiko took a different turn and developed a glass case that is practically impermeable to Helium gas. This is the creation of Seiko’s Diver’s Professional 600M. In 1983, JAMSTEC conducted an impermeability test by submersing several diver’s watches under 300M saturation diving. Seiko’s Diver’s Professional 600M proved to be up to ten times more impermeable to Helium gas compared to other companies. The true diver’s watch continues to prove itself. [links]
The Diving Computer Watch; world’s first timepiece to provide accurate information. more
Developing material specifically for the packing resulted to this achievement. [links]
What about the omega Ploprof? [links]
Nice collection indeed. I would mention as well:
Omega SeaMaster “BigBlue” and Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor series [links]
Panerai receives a patent for a curved, crown-protecting bridge. Now a hallmark of the company’s Luminor collection, the bridge contains a locking cam lever that pushes the crown against the case so that it fits tightly against the crown’s seals.
Not the Seamaster 120m of 1972 and the first to have chronograph pushers that work under water.
Your list has gaping holes! more
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) issues standard 6425, defining the features that a watch must have in order for it to be designated a “dive” watch. They include requirements for water resistance (the watch must be 25 percent more water-resistant than claimed on the dial), legibility under water, resistance to thermal shocks and ability to measure elapsed time. Standard 6425 supplants the standard issued in 1984 and is still in effect today.