The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was first introduced in the 1950s as a professional diver’s time telling instrument. The watch featured a rotating bezel with a black insert as well as its luminous material in radium enabling a glowing effect in the dark. The design became one of the firm’s most successful throughout the decades even till date. In the 1960s, the use of radium in wristwatches were becoming a major concern as studies by the Public Health Service dubbed them to be hazardous to the wearer. However, it was these early examples that garnered the importance of the Fifty Fathoms as they were initially made specifically for the French and German military under the name Tornek Rayville, they were referred to as Mil-Spec. After the firm realized the hazardous nature of radium as luminous materials used on the dial and bezel, Blancpain released one of the most iconic Fifty Fathom models known as the “No Radiation” dial variant, which was printed on the dial to identify that there were no radioactive materials used. Printed above the 6 o’clock index is the vibrant yellow and red trefoil symbol reading “No Radiation”.

To celebrate the coveted model, Blancpain released a limited edition run of 500 pieces of the modern re-edition of the “No Rad” featuring a 40.3mm diameter stainless steel case, fauxtina luminous material, black ceramic lumed bezel, which combined mimics the aesthetics and appeal of the original example. Regraded by collectors as one of the best re-editions made in recent times, the watch is paired tastefully with a tropic-style rubber strap completing the whole professional diver’s watch vibe.

Numbered 325 of a limited edition of 500 pieces, the present example modern tribute of the No Rad is offered in excellent overall condition and is further complete with its full set of accessories.