I hope the answer is never found, Nicolas. The mystery . . .

Oct 11, 2022,09:50 AM
 

. . . only adds to the legend.

😌

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bronze Milspecs. 14 years of investigation on case numbers

 
By: amanico : October 11th, 2022-05:53
14 years since now. In fact, it took me 5 years to fully understand the Fifty Fathoms Bronze Milspec case. From 2008 to 2013... In 2008, I discovered two Bronze Milspec, an US NAVY and a " Civilian ". Since then, I started to investigate on them, contacte...  

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.

 
By: montres1 : October 11th, 2022-08:22
Plus the FF is an icon and highly sought after, it is important to have minimum knowledge to ensure not buying a Frankenwatch ! I will ask for your help the day I have a budget to buy one of these marvels !

Is it 300k or 3M? I can't read all of the zeroes!

 
By: MichaelC : October 11th, 2022-13:47
I knew The Post would hit like a sledgehammer... very fitting for your hard work and dedication to our shared passion. Thank you, Dear Friend.

Great job!

 
By: Briandumais : October 18th, 2022-02:16
I have been gone away on a work trip and haven't had the time to study your post. I have been waiting years to see your research and there is a lot info to digest. I did get a bronze case many years ago that some guy picked up at a Hamilton board of trust... 

Congrats Nico for.... all!

 
By: fifty fathoms : October 11th, 2022-16:38
Very impressive research you have done. I had to read it several times, there are so many informations and they form new questions. Why had the Bronzes civilian hands, except the U. S. Navys? For me the 3225 is a kind of mariage. You will have noticed, it... 

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.

 
By: amanico : October 12th, 2022-09:04
As for the 3225 offered for sale by Hodinkee, it doesn't have the good hands and dial. You are right! As for the big crown on the 3163, it is correct, it is a Milspec from the late 60's. Best, mon ami. Nicolas

Bronze?

 
By: fifty fathoms : October 12th, 2022-05:14
I found this Fifty Fathoms on eBay Kleinanzeigen, local eBay, some years ago. I was to late for bidding. What do you think about it? ...  

Bronze

 
By: XX-FF : October 19th, 2022-09:43
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 cont...