Not that I'm aware of.....

Oct 26, 2011,14:18 PM
 

Hi there Ubik,

Here's a series of pictures of a Squale compared with the civilian bund type.

 The Fifty Fathom is top (except for the last shot !)

Sorry guys, another post full of photos, but I believe they are better than me trying to explain..... smile



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


And here's a selection I took a while ago (just after I got the 3H Bund)


This time the fifty fathom is at the bottom.


 


 

 


 

 

 


 
And here's a view of the back of a squale
 
 


and the 2 fifty fathoms (3H on the right)
 
 


My knowledge of the case manyfacture came from other forums, where I read a discussion regarding the origins of Squale, with the founder C Von Buren beguinning as a case manufacturer, which is why you can find some examples double signed with the makers name in the usual 12 o'clock area, and the Squale shark logo at 6. They made for other brands also - there are some Heuers, Auricoste and others, with similar cases from the late 60's/70's.
 
So I don't see any specific markings to confirm this, this is just what I have learnt from reading whats online.
 
If nothing else, this is a handy reference of pictures of the Fifty Fathoms 4 O'clock bund, versus the thin case Squale, which from what I have seen, is the favorite case of the 'look a like' ones.
 
Cheers Tony



More posts: Fifty Fathoms

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3H Bund brothers

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-13:07
So, the 3H Bund - a classic for me for its tough and utilitarian appearance - but these models are now destined to be worn not for their intended purpose any longer, and just a nice (all be in only some peoples eyes) dive watch. Oh how I wish for one that...  

They do have a place, indeed. At least the Bund.

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2011-13:43
I am considering one of these, my friend. In fact UI would like to get a No Rad Bund, and this one, to make the pair. Superb article on a watch which is not often mentionned, when we speak about Vintage FFs. You filled a gap, thank you so much for that. B... 

Great write up!

 
 By: Briandumais : October 20th, 2011-19:29
Tony Its great to see them side by side. I have always wondered what came first the military or the civilian. I suspect it was the military. They are great big watches and i think the Bund is one of the most undervalue military watch on the market! Glad y... 

I think your definetly correct...

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-22:54
In the Lettres du Brassus No.3, pages 6 & 7, it shows a chronological order of issue, and states the bund 3H as from 1965, and the civilian from 1975. Sorry, can't include a scan just now, as work computer won't allow me to use the forum picture uploader ... 

They will give it to you, at the Paris Boutique.

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2011-23:05
I may have to go there, too, to get an english copy. I'm sure you will enjoy the reading, even if it is more about Stephan Ciejka and his personal journey into this FF world. But the guy is really interesting. He did an awesome job when nobody, or almost,... 

Sounds like we could make...

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-23:22
Sounds like we could make a visit together on monday! Cheers Tony

Lunch Time?

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2011-23:25

Bonne idée

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-23:54
I should finish my first meeting at La Defence at mid day. I'll phone you when I'm heading to the metro. But 1300 in that area should be good. cheers Tony

Done deal. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2011-23:55
No message body

Cheers,

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-22:42
...its been worn proudly! Tony

thanks Nicolas...

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-22:41
You'll get see this one (in fact the whole family), again on monday. May be seeing the 3H again will tip you over the edge to start the hunt!! best, cheers Tony

Reporting in!

 
 By: kye_lin : October 20th, 2011-19:26
#1230 reporting in!!...  

ooh, nice strap!

 
 By: DivingT : October 20th, 2011-22:45
..and of course a stunning 3H as well! How well does yours keep time? and do you have the funny second hand thing that I mentioned mine can do? And yes, I agree with Nicolas, lets start getting some family shots!!! We must have a lot between us all! cheer... 

Second hand

 
 By: kye_lin : October 21st, 2011-00:38
Yep.. the second goes backwards when winding backwards.. just like yours!! Mine keeps time pretty good after a full tear-down service..... \ I will get some family shots soon.... Cheers all... Kai

I'm not sure how....

 
 By: BDLJ : October 24th, 2011-16:43
...I missed this post, Tony. Congratulations. Can't wait to see it in the water. Having made a couple of oldies dive proof (well, I now have a rule - those old things on single tank dives only - limits the depth/time and I don't really need it as a back-u... 

Good point - can anyone confirm....

 
 By: DivingT : October 26th, 2011-03:33
Good point Ben, thanks. Can anyone confirm that the these crowns on this ETA movement is released by pushing in on the small pin where the crown enters the movement? and is it best with this movement to release the crown and stem with the crown in (windin... 

Hmmm.

 
 By: BDLJ : October 26th, 2011-04:52
I've usually done it from setting position...but please can someone less clutzy than me chime in. I've never thought about it that much, if the stem doesn't take properly, I just sigh a lot, pace around and resign myself to hands/dial removal.... As for t... 

Here's the photo of the 'pin'

 
 By: DivingT : October 26th, 2011-13:53
There's the pin I think that gets pushed to release the the crown qnd stem on this ETA - no screw thqt I can see. Cheers Tony...  

That's the....

 
 By: BDLJ : October 26th, 2011-15:47
...one. I much prefer pins to a screw (that didn't sound right ). Unscrew the crown. move to setting position, then while pulling slightly on the crown slowly depress the 'pin'. No need to push it right in or anything like that. You'll feel the resistance... 

Great set of pics

 
 By: Ubik : October 25th, 2011-06:53
Very nice to see a comparison of them side by side. I have a distant memory of you doing the same next to a Squale. Are the Sqaule cases identical to the Blancpains?

Yes I do...

 
 By: DivingT : October 26th, 2011-04:20
Thanks Ubik, And I do have some photos of this civilian beside a squale, and you'll see that the squale case is ALOT thinner. So although the principle of the cases are simmilar (same original Case manufactor - C. Von Buren), the specification / size is d... 

Cheers Tony

 
 By: Ubik : October 26th, 2011-10:54
So the Blancpain case is unique? Are there any markings to identify the case maker?

Not that I'm aware of.....

 
 By: DivingT : October 26th, 2011-14:18
Hi there Ubik, Here's a series of pictures of a Squale compared with the civilian bund type. The Fifty Fathom is top (except for the last shot !) Sorry guys, another post full of photos, but I believe they are better than me trying to explain..... And her...  

Thanks for those...

 
 By: BDLJ : October 26th, 2011-15:37
..comparison photos, Tony. One thing I did notice was that the 3H appears to have a very slightly different bezel to the civilian. If you take a side-on view, the knurling is narrower. A trait shared with the Squale you've shown.

Superb pictures

 
 By: Ubik : October 27th, 2011-09:38
thanks for posting. I had always assumed that the cases were identical. In fact they seem unique to Blancpain, while the other companies cases are the same - or at least seem so from online pictures.

This what I've found also. cheers. (NT)

 
 By: DivingT : October 27th, 2011-11:49
This message has been edited by DivingT on 2011-10-27 11:51:20

very nice post...

 
 By: MattS : October 27th, 2011-12:14
of some quite unusual watches! thanks Tony, Matt

Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed!...

 
 By: DivingT : October 27th, 2011-13:00
Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed!

Wanted: FF BUND 3H

 
 By: bodo74 : February 25th, 2022-00:07
Hello to the forum, I am brandnew here, just logged in the first time a few minutes ago … I have been looking for a Blancpain Fifty fathoms Bundeswehr 3H for years… and still don’t give up. Does anybody have an idea how to find this model? Thanks for any ...