Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 3H Bundeswehr

This is a very rare and interesting Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms that was made for the German Bundeswehr frogmen in the 1970s. These watches were never commercially available, only issued ! You will notice this watch doesn't look like your stereotypical Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, due to the bezel insert. The Bund divers were using re breathers so didn’t need the gradiated dive bezels we know from Rolex Subs and so the insert was plain , without numerals..

It is very unusual to find one of these watches in good and original condition, especially the bakelite bezel .

This one cracked at the tritium triangle at 12 , so it actually is a proof of use as intended- the bakelite under the triangle is almost not existent so this is were they all crack normally !
The 41mm case is very strong all-round and has fixed strap bars and a winding crown at five o’clock. The case back has the Bund engraving: 6645 -12-4162.
The original hands contain tritium lume ( with some “military life on them “ ) that are good match with the hour plots, which are tritium as denoted by the 3H on the dial.

We really love the funky orange minute hand ! Coming on the photographed Nato strap. The Automatic movement has been fully checked and regulated by our watch maker .

Finding examples like this in this condition is not easy, this is a very special watch indeed, please get i touch to get this tool vibe wrapped around your wrist !

We love issued watches and this is a great find. Let’s talk and do a deal!

Specifications:

- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
- Issued to German forces (Bundeswehr ) in 1970s
- Serial 12xx
- Miltary case back engravings
- Steel 41mm case
- Black Dial with 3H marking
- Original blank bakelite bezel insert
- Original funky hands with orange minute hand
- Comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons nato strap
- Fully checked by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
- Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping