My vintage BP collection. Part 4: Bundeswehr 'no radiations'

My vintage BP collection. Part 4: Bundeswehr 'no radiations'
Feb 03 2010,04:48 AM

Sometime around 1964, Blancpain recognised that it needed a way to distinguish its military Fifty Fathom production from its civilian production, and the particular problem it had in mind was the use of radioactive coatings. To demark civilian watches, that of course used no radioactive products of any kind, Blancpain seized on the idea of a special dial legend. Using the universal symbol for radioactivity, the three semi-triangles arrayed around a circle, Blancpain indicated the absence of such products by using the red strike through the symbol and placed this legend in a prominent place, above 6 o’clock, on the dial. As the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms established itself as the worldwide standard for military divingwatches, it achieved similar success in the civilian arena. At the time, mechanical divingwatches were not considered as an horological luxury. They were serious instruments and part of the required kit for any diver. Logically, then, diving watches were principally not sold in fancy jewellery stores, but instead in the same shops where a diver would source his tanks, scuba regulator, suit, face mask and other diving equipment.

T<25MC means that it was not more then 25 Millicurie Tritium used for the luminous parts

The first large size, 41mm, civilian Fifty Fathoms with the 'no radiations' dial was issued under the reference RPG1 in 1965. This watch was produced until 1970. It had NO DATE function and came, as I believe, with two different kind of bezels, the non-minute bezel with the triangle, and the standard 60 minute bezel.

In 1967 Blancpain released the RPGA 1 version. This version had the date indication (like nearly all the civilian Fifty Fathoms at that time) and came in many different styles, with 3 kind of bezels and different hands. I believe that the A in the reference number stands for the date function. Other FF versions like the PGA7 36 mm diameter, PGA5 34mm, PGAN5 34mm also have the date function.

In 1971 slightly before, or just after the production stop of the civilian RPG1, the German Bundeswehr ordered these FF for their underwater units, and was so the only army worldwide using officially the no date and 'non radiations' FF. IMO the serial number always started with 208...! I believe that they all had issued military papers dated on december 1971. The lowest number I have found is 208145 and the highest 208337. I have seen two other Bundeswehr with the numbers 208254 and 208263.

military engravings on the caseback

polished 41 mm diameter case with non drilled lugs

nice tritium dial and hands

bakelit bezel '60 minutes'

comes with the original thick military nylon strap

cool stainless steel buckle !! Love it !!

Original fat and long Waffle rubber Band by 'La Spirotechnique' ! Was worn by the divers over their swimsuit.

The watch itself is very rare and difficult to find because only a few hundreds were made! Finding them with the original strap is a sexy catch!!

With original strap and box is fu..... crazy !!

With the original strap, original box and original military warranty papers is just Hardcore Porn as its best!

Two more original military straps! ;-)

best regards --- claude

Those clasps are a trip, nice watch [nt]
Feb 03 2010,10:33 AM

No message body

Thanks, I totally agree with you! These military straps are rocking eyecatchers! ;-)
Feb 04 2010,02:42 AM

thanks a lot...
Feb 03 2010,12:05 PM

Claude again thanks a lot for deep information about the german Bund FF.
I made a print of your report and will read it tomorrow on the train to work.

Hope to see you on our watchlounge meeting

best regards Stephan

Stephan, you are very welcome! Thanks a lot for reading my report!
Feb 04 2010,02:44 AM

Another Great post
Feb 03 2010,18:40 PM

I got to go find Parts 1 and 2 now Lol! BTW where did you find that carbon strap? Been looking for one, 20 mm?

Got a sweet collection.

Hey shepcs, are you looking for this 'carbon' strap?
Feb 04 2010,01:31 AM

They are from divestraps dot com !! Thank you so much for your comments!! best----claude

Thanks Claude!
Feb 04 2010,20:32 PM

Much apppreciated!

Bravo, Claude.
Feb 03 2010,21:38 PM

Thanks for this report, my friend.

You're absolutely right, the Bunde is another great FF to catch, and another Military one...

Why, but WHY did I sell mine?

I love your scans of old documents and ads!

Best, and thanks for all.

Nicolas

Thanks my friend, I am sure you will get a Bunde soon! ;-)
Feb 04 2010,02:50 AM

I wish I had more of these old documents, original papers and ads! That is the only way to get some serious informations and to get a through-view!

best

claude

Let's see, my friend, if Luck is on my side... :))) [nt]
Feb 04 2010,05:02 AM

No message body

Damn, what a nice BP FF collection you have...
Feb 04 2010,00:09 AM

...Claude!!

Now I am looking forward to your post # 5 of the presenation of your great collection! Hopefully there are many to come...! (or you will just have to purchase some more watches.....)

Anyway. Thankyou so much for sharing the great pictures, old commercial stuff and your great comments

Has been a pleasure as always

Best regards

Hans

Thanks so much Hans, I am afraid the report will end with No:7 :-((
Feb 04 2010,02:59 AM

if I can't find another one soon. But maybe my posts gave some motivation to other people here which want to share their treasures or informations with us now.

best regards

claude

Lets hope so :-)..
Feb 04 2010,04:25 AM

... At least your (and Nico's) posts have inspired me to search for a BP FF..

Best

Hans

At least I am happy that there..
Feb 05 2010,04:31 AM

are still a few to come

Which I will be looking out for..

Hopefully your posts have inspired others, as they have inspired me to eventually aqcuire a BB FF vintage something..

Best

Hans

Well done, Claude.
Feb 05 2010,13:35 PM

Again, a most interesting read. Thanks.

Great job !
Feb 06 2010,02:12 AM

thanks for sharing your informations with us !

Very cool material and nice pictures !

Cheers

Jeff

Big congrats, Claude...
Feb 06 2010,23:56 PM

and thanks for your great work made.

I love a lot your nice and interesting FF collection... you have great tastes my friend.

This lovely Bunde make me feel great feelings and brings me nice memories about my ex amazing Bunde.

Thanks again, my friend.

Emilio

Amazing, Claude!
Feb 07 2010,08:43 AM

Just when I thought your posts couldn't get any better! This is my favorite of the vintage FFs. I love the old ads that you included in your posts -- they really provide some context to the article! These FFs are just timeless. Your vintage FFs, along with the vintage Subs, Sea-Dwellers from Rolex; vintage Aquatimers from IWC; and vintage diver from Longines make me wonder if the golden age of watch collecting -- based on my personal taste only -- has already come and gone. *sigh*

Your post made me smile. Thanks, Claude!

Cheers,

Daos

Fantastic BP collection.
Feb 27 2010,03:53 AM

Four pieces to dream of. Your dials show great patina, love them all. The look very 60s and 70s. Warm.

Thanks for sharing.

Vte



By: claude.f (registered) PM Posts: 195	My vintage BP collection. Part 4: Bundeswehr 'no radiations' Feb 03 2010,04:48 AM Sometime around 1964, Blancpain recognised that it needed a way to distinguish its military Fifty Fathom production from its civilian production, and the particular problem it had in mind was the use of radioactive coatings. To demark civilian watches, that of course used no radioactive products of any kind, Blancpain seized on the idea of a special dial legend. Using the universal symbol for radioactivity, the three semi-triangles arrayed around a circle, Blancpain indicated the absence of such products by using the red strike through the symbol and placed this legend in a prominent place, above 6 o’clock, on the dial. As the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms established itself as the worldwide standard for military divingwatches, it achieved similar success in the civilian arena. At the time, mechanical divingwatches were not considered as an horological luxury. They were serious instruments and part of the required kit for any diver. Logically, then, diving watches were principally not sold in fancy jewellery stores, but instead in the same shops where a diver would source his tanks, scuba regulator, suit, face mask and other diving equipment. T<25MC means that it was not more then 25 Millicurie Tritium used for the luminous parts The first large size, 41mm, civilian Fifty Fathoms with the 'no radiations' dial was issued under the reference RPG1 in 1965. This watch was produced until 1970. It had NO DATE function and came, as I believe, with two different kind of bezels, the non-minute bezel with the triangle, and the standard 60 minute bezel. In 1967 Blancpain released the RPGA 1 version. This version had the date indication (like nearly all the civilian Fifty Fathoms at that time) and came in many different styles, with 3 kind of bezels and different hands. I believe that the A in the reference number stands for the date function. Other FF versions like the PGA7 36 mm diameter, PGA5 34mm, PGAN5 34mm also have the date function. In 1971 slightly before, or just after the production stop of the civilian RPG1, the German Bundeswehr ordered these FF for their underwater units, and was so the only army worldwide using officially the no date and 'non radiations' FF. IMO the serial number always started with 208...! I believe that they all had issued military papers dated on december 1971. The lowest number I have found is 208145 and the highest 208337. I have seen two other Bundeswehr with the numbers 208254 and 208263. military engravings on the caseback polished 41 mm diameter case with non drilled lugs nice tritium dial and hands bakelit bezel '60 minutes' comes with the original thick military nylon strap cool stainless steel buckle !! Love it !! Original fat and long Waffle rubber Band by 'La Spirotechnique' ! Was worn by the divers over their swimsuit. The watch itself is very rare and difficult to find because only a few hundreds were made! Finding them with the original strap is a sexy catch!! With original strap and box is fu..... crazy !! With the original strap, original box and original military warranty papers is just Hardcore Porn as its best! Two more original military straps! ;-) best regards --- claude Respond to this post \|



By: doubleup (registered) PM Posts: 193	Those clasps are a trip, nice watch [nt] Feb 03 2010,10:33 AM No message body Respond to this post \|



By: fifty fathoms (registered) PM Posts: 52	thanks a lot... Feb 03 2010,12:05 PM Claude again thanks a lot for deep information about the german Bund FF. I made a print of your report and will read it tomorrow on the train to work. Hope to see you on our watchlounge meeting best regards Stephan Respond to this post \|



By: shepcs (registered) PM Posts: 16	Another Great post Feb 03 2010,18:40 PM I got to go find Parts 1 and 2 now Lol! BTW where did you find that carbon strap? Been looking for one, 20 mm? Got a sweet collection. Respond to this post \|



By: shepcs (registered) PM Posts: 16	Thanks Claude! Feb 04 2010,20:32 PM Much apppreciated! Respond to this post \|



By: amanico (registered) PM Posts: 25135	Bravo, Claude. Feb 03 2010,21:38 PM Thanks for this report, my friend. You're absolutely right, the Bunde is another great FF to catch, and another Military one... Why, but WHY did I sell mine? I love your scans of old documents and ads! Best, and thanks for all. Nicolas Respond to this post \|



By: hans_jorgen_1968 (registered) PM Posts: 567	Damn, what a nice BP FF collection you have... Feb 04 2010,00:09 AM ...Claude!! Now I am looking forward to your post # 5 of the presenation of your great collection! Hopefully there are many to come...! (or you will just have to purchase some more watches.....) Anyway. Thankyou so much for sharing the great pictures, old commercial stuff and your great comments Has been a pleasure as always Best regards Hans Respond to this post \|



By: Davo (registered) PM Posts: 2210	Well done, Claude. Feb 05 2010,13:35 PM Again, a most interesting read. Thanks. Respond to this post \|



By: DrStrong (registered) PM Posts: 3350	Great job ! Feb 06 2010,02:12 AM thanks for sharing your informations with us ! Very cool material and nice pictures ! Cheers Jeff Respond to this post \|



By: E.J. (registered) PM Posts: 1428	Big congrats, Claude... Feb 06 2010,23:56 PM and thanks for your great work made. I love a lot your nice and interesting FF collection... you have great tastes my friend. This lovely Bunde make me feel great feelings and brings me nice memories about my ex amazing Bunde. Thanks again, my friend. Emilio Respond to this post \|



By: dxboon (registered) PM Posts: 5050	Amazing, Claude! Feb 07 2010,08:43 AM Just when I thought your posts couldn't get any better! This is my favorite of the vintage FFs. I love the old ads that you included in your posts -- they really provide some context to the article! These FFs are just timeless. Your vintage FFs, along with the vintage Subs, Sea-Dwellers from Rolex; vintage Aquatimers from IWC; and vintage diver from Longines make me wonder if the golden age of watch collecting -- based on my personal taste only -- has already come and gone. sigh Your post made me smile. Thanks, Claude! Cheers, Daos Respond to this post \|



By: VMM (registered) PM Posts: 503	Fantastic BP collection. Feb 27 2010,03:53 AM Four pieces to dream of. Your dials show great patina, love them all. The look very 60s and 70s. Warm. Thanks for sharing. Vte Respond to this post \|