Blancpain traces its origins to Jehan-Jaques Blancpain, who began making watches in Villeret, Switzerland, in 1735. A pioneer in introducing modern industrial methods to the region in the 19th century, Blancpain produced pioneering timepieces in the 20th as well, including some of the first self-winding wristwatches ever made, and the Fifty Fathoms watch for combat divers, which was made in collaboration with the French Navy, and introduced in 1953. Blancpain became part of SIHH (later, Swatch Group) in 1992. The company today maintains its own _manufacture_in Le Brassus, in the Vallée de Joux, where it creates watches ranging from tough, technically sophisticated instrument watches such as the various Fifty Fathoms models, to some of the most beautifully crafted high complications made anywhere in the world.
- Model: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC Limited Edition
- Reference: 5008 11B30 NABA
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, unidirectional sapphire crystal bezel, water-resistance indicator
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Dimensions: 40.30mm diameter, 13.23mm thickness
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Matte black
- Lume: Yes, Super-LumiNova
- Caliber: Automatic Blancpain 1154
- Power Reserve: 4 days
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Bracelet/Strap: NATO strap
- Lug Width: 20mm
- Manufactured: Switzerland
