Since its launch in 1953, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is has remained one of the most iconic dive watches in history. Conceived by fulfilling a gap in the market for a reliable diver's watch, the Fifty Fathoms featured high water resistance, a robust protecting crown system, an automatic winding movement, legible luminescent markings and a rotating bezel with with timing markings.

The present example is the very sought after Milspec 1 with a humidity tester at 6 o’clock. It displays other military specifications such as a three part body case, a diamond at 12 o'clock on the revolving bezel. The inside case back displays "Rayville S.A", denoting the watch was made for the American Market. While this watch does display military specifications, research shows that it was made for civilian use.

An even more interesting feature is the "double Swiss" designation at 6 o'clock. Like Rolex's "Double Swiss Underline" reference 6239, we can surmise that the bezel had originally obscured the Swiss signature. As a result, Blancpain had to print it again, as to make it legible. This theory makes particular sense as the watch, was made for the American market, hence the importance of having a "Swiss" signature for importation reasons.

Research shows that the present watch is the only Milspec 1 with this dial configuration to appear on the auction market.

The present watch has furthermore been displayed at the Fifty Fathoms exhibition commemorating the 275th anniversary of the brand.