THE HISTORY OF BLANCPAIN

The ”Over The Rainbow“. Right, H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
A NEW FIFTY FATHOMS DEBUTS IN CANNES
This year marks Blancpain’s fourth appearance
at the Festival de Plaisance boat show in
Cannes and, demonstrating the
importance of this show, for the
past two years Blancpain has celebrated
the occasion with the
launch of an important timepiece.
Last year at Cannes, Blancpain
staged the worldwide debut of
the first production pieces of the
new Fifty Fathoms, selling out
the first thirty serial numbers of
the reborn legend which were
brought to the show. This year
also witnessed the lifting of the
curtain on a special limited edition
Fifty Fathoms. Whereas last
year’s launch was dedicated to the Fifty
Fathoms in its purposeful diving garb faithful
82 | 83
Chronograph. This stainless steel timepiece
houses Blancpain’s legendary hand finished
column wheel chronograph movement
which, together with its special winding
rotor in the form of a nautilus snail, is visible
through the clear caseback. Further distinguishing
the Monaco Yacht Show edition
and tying it to the principality is the image of
the Monaco flag on the dial.
to the original model of a half century earlier
– black dial and bezel with white markings,
steel case, antimagnetic shielding and
black sailcloth strap – this year’s timepiece
brimmed with exuberance. The Cannes
watch of 2008 is a white Fifty Fathoms featuring
a white dial, white bezel and white
sailcloth strap. In contrast with the classic
Fifty Fathoms which, by reason of its antimagnetic
shielding, is fitted with a closed
caseback, the Cannes timepiece offers a clear
caseback allowing view of the calibre 1315
three mainspring barrel automatic movement,
sporting a unique winding rotor in the
form of a ship’s wheel.
The Cannes Fifty Fathoms, exclusively in a
45 mm stainless steel case, is guaranteed to
be a genuine rarity. It is a limited edition with
only 20 pieces to be produced worldwide.