Blancpain Milspec 1 Fifty Fathoms "Civilian" SS Black Dial 1970s

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms "Civilian" Milspec 1, embodies the pioneering spirit of military dive watch design. Housed in a robust 41 mm stainless steel case with approximately 13 mm thickness, this model features the iconic moisture‑indicator at 6 o’clock—an ingenious safety feature originally developed for combat divers. Powered by the automatic Blancpain R.570 (based on AS 1361N), this movement delivers approximately 38–40 hours of reserve with 17 jewels, reflecting both reliability and period authenticity. The original black dial, with its tritium indices and hands, carries the hallmark patina sought by collectors and speaks to its operational heritage. The original crystal is crazed and original to the watch. These later tritium models were introduced to the market for civilian use after earlier Military models were deemed unsafe due to their radioactivity. As one of the earliest Fifty Fathoms variants meeting U.S. Navy specifications, the Milspec 1 is a cornerstone of Blancpain’s dive watch legacy and a rare survivor of its era. Its combination of military provenance, technical innovation, and original components makes this piece exceptionally desirable among seasoned connoisseurs. This example is in excellent original vintage condition, with European Watch Company leather pouch.