97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 104

Blancpain "Bathyscaphe Automatique Incabloc", Movement No. 619565, Case No. 206133, Cal. AS 1902/03, 37 mm, circa 1960
A diver's automatic vintage wristwatch with date, centre seconds and "tropical dial"
Case: steel, screw back, turnable bakelite bezel, original "Tropic" strap. Dial: anthracite.
The dial has aged charmingly and still possesses the original bakelite bezel. In 1958 Blancpain offered, in addition to the Fifty Fathoms, the Bathyscaphe models MC 4 and PG A 5. They were resistant to an atmospheric pressure of up to 10 and fitted with a simpler, rotating bezel that would not lock. The MC 4 model was wound manually, the PGA 5 was fitted with an automatic movement with date.
Watches that feature the so-called "tropical dials" are particularly highly sought after among the collectors of rare vintage timepieces. The usually black original dials have faded over the years or - as this dial has - developed a matted anthracite-tone that bestow the watch with a new and unusual beauty.

Sold

estimated
4.5006.500 €
Price realized
6.200 €