Blancpain

Marv
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The demolition watch

I have already detailed how difficult was the quest for information about the Fifty Fathoms. blancpain.watchprosite.com /



Since then, I have kept on searching and looking for evidences. Thanks to Blancpain and the exhibition organized last winter, I met many FF-addicts and cross-checked my sources with them.

Concerning my FF Milspec, as I wrote previously, "The only thing I knew was that my watch had been originally bought at the Abercrombie & Fitch store in New York ." Unfortunately, I had never found any evidence of the link between the FF Milspec and Abercrombie & Fitch.
 

But I don't give up.
 
 
Recently, I talked with a Heuer-lover about the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogs, as I had seen different Heuer watches presented in the catalogs. Following the discussion, when I came back at home, I surfed on the web, looking again for vintage catalogs. Again and again. And I finally found one A&F catalog that I had not seen before. I placed an order.
 
 
And here comes the Abercrombie & Fitch Christmas 1973 catalog.




I went through the catalog, without too much hope. The same 70s groovies items.

But, at the left corner of the 20th page, it was there.



Letter 'F'. Was it a coincidence? 'F' for Fifty Fathoms?

The detailed scan. No doubt!


 

Finally, I have the confirmation, direct from the early 70s.

The description does not mention Blancpain, but Allen V. Tornek Co. It also confirmes the usage by Navy divers.



Demolition watch!  Why not!

"maximum resistance to water and explosive shock" ... Do you believe it?

But the rest is all good:
- 17-jewel movement with special humidity indicator
- revolving bezel
- all-steel case
- special sandblast finish
- screw-in crown
All good!

The difficult quest is not ended, but it is perhaps the beginning of the end!



This message has been edited by Marv on 2011-05-10 14:14:49