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Bronze
Merci pour tes recherches et ton analyse sur cette énigmatique série»bronze »
J’ai effectué plusieurs plongées avec une de ces montres lors d’un séjour plongé au Mexique. Mes conclusions: ces boîtiers en bronze ne sont pas fiables pour la plongée, au contact de l’eau de mer le boîtier » s’oxyde » et prend une coloration importante ( vert-de-gris) qui laisse des traces sur le poignet et deuxième défaut plus important, le métal est trop mou, le filetage de la bague de serrage du fond ce détériore rapidement ce qui ne garantit plus l’étanchéité contrairement aux boîtiers acier. Je pense que ce sont ces problèmes qui sont responsables de l’arrêt de la production.
Les boîtiers non utilisés ( je suis de ton avis) ont été terminés avec des cadrans et mouvements civil / AS 1700) cette opinion ne doit pas être très éloignée de la vérité.
Je pense qu'à l'origine, les boîtiers en bronze étaient conçus pour améliorer le non-magnétisme et prévues pour avoir un cadran de type militaire. Exemple une pièce intéressante , n° 3201 ,vendue par Phillips à (https://www.phillips.com/detail/blancpain/CH080121/220).
Pour les cadrans marqués US NAVY je pense à un "coup marketing" de Monsieur A. Tornek pour influencer les officiers de la Marine afin d’obtenir une nouvelle commande.
Mon anglais étant très primaire j’utilise un traducteur pour la version en anglais.
Thank you for your research and analysis of this enigmatic "bronze" series
I made several dives with one of these watches during a diving trip in Mexico. My conclusions: these bronze cases are not reliable for diving, in contact with sea water the case "oxidizes" and takes an important coloring (green-grey) which leaves traces on the wrist and second more important defect, the metal is too soft, the thread of the ring of tightening of the bottom it deteriorates quickly what does not guarantee any more waterproofness contrary to the steel cases. I think that these problems are responsible for stopping production.
The unused cases (I agree with you) were finished with civilian dials and movements (AS 1700), so this opinion must not be far from the truth.
I think that originally the bronze cases were designed to improve non-magnetism and intended to have a military type dial. Example of an interesting piece, No. 3201, sold by Phillips at (https://www.phillips.com/detail/blancpain/CH080121/220).
For the dials marked US NAVY I think it was a "marketing stunt" by Mr A. Tornek to influence the navy officers in order to obtain a new order.
My English being very basic I use a translator for the English version.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bronze Milspecs. 14 years of investigation on case numbers
What an interesting review to start the day with, Nicolas!
Great research job and thanks for sharing ! This is typically a purist's worry to understand the specs of specific models :) It is part of the pleasure, you learn so many important things.
I hope the answer is never found, Nicolas. The mystery . . .
Is it 300k or 3M? I can't read all of the zeroes!
Great job!
Congrats Nico for.... all!
Aaah, my friend, they had civilian hands because at the exception of the 5 US Navy Protos I know, the others were not proto and came with a civilian dial and hands, and the AS 1700 instead of the AS 1361.
I was certain you would make this post special my friend and your report is yet again exemplary ! Congratulations on an unsurpassable milestone, thank you for such a detailed and informative piece of research and
Bronze?
Bronze
Thank you so much for your very valuable feedback on these Bronze, mon ami JL.
Fantastic post dear Nicolas!! A lot of interesting information gathered during such a long period of work and investigation and stunning pictures to illustrate it. What a project!!
