Blancpain Fifty Fathoms x Squale Ref. Y.1545 - Unpolished
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is widely credited as being one of the first three truly purpose-build dive watches that came out in 1953. During the first ten years or so of production, many different variants have surfaced, with slightly different dials, bezels, casebacks, and even movements.
The example that we have here is something very unusual and incredibly rare.
In the 1960s into the 1970s, Italian case-maker, Squale, had been producing cases for a number of large brands, including Blancpain. Likely originally intended to be an alternative to the 41mm Fifty Fathoms, this piece fuses elements of the already very popular Rolex Submariner case, with Squale build quality, and Blancpain branding. Sounds great to us.
This Reference Y.1545 comes in at a beautifully sized 37mm case and features beautiful chamfers that run the length of the lugs, crown guards, a screw-down crown, screw down caseback, and a rotating bezel with a black timing insert. Inside, the matte black dial is nicely preserved, with both Squale and Blancpain signatures prominently displayed, a familiar luminous plot layout, and a standout handset. It is powered by an automatic-winding movement with date by ETA.
Only a handful of these pieces have ever surfaced on the open market. Believed to be prototypes, this makes for a very, very rare opportunity to snag one.
Condition Report & Details
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Please note:
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