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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Diver's wristwatch

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 'No Radiations' Diver's Wristwatch, Ref. RPG 1

Partially verified

This is a stainless steel Blancpain Fifty Fathoms anti-magnetic diver's wristwatch, reference RPG 1, bearing case number 208'148. According to the manufacturer's archives cited by the source, the timepiece was manufactured in 1965 for use by the German Army. It features a 41 mm case containing an automatic caliber A.S. 1700 movement. The black dial lacks a date aperture and displays luminous hour markers, accompanied by a prominent yellow, red, and black 'No Radiations' symbol positioned above 6 o'clock. The watch is fitted with a calibrated rotating dive bezel and mounted on a brown calf leather strap.

Front view of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Ref. RPG 1 diver's wristwatch with 'No Radiations' dial
Front view of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Ref. RPG 1 diver's wristwatch with 'No Radiations' dial — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Wristwatch · Diver's wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Blancpain
Reference
RPG 1
Catalogue / lot identifier
56
Source-reported date
1965
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
208'148

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Provenance

This Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, reference RPG 1, is a stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with serial number 208'148. According to the source, Blancpain archives state the watch was manufactured in 1965 for use by the German Army.

The source notes the watch features a dial configuration identified as 'No Radiations.' It specifies that the German Bundeswehr ordered these watches for their dive units in 1971, and that they were the only army to use the 'no date' and 'no radiations' dial configuration.

Evidence for this section
  • “According to the Archives of Blancpain, the present watch was manufactured in 1965 for use by the German Army.”
  • “In 1971, the German Bundeswher ordered these watches for their dive units. It was therefore the only army that used the watch with the ‘no date’ and ‘no radiations’ dial configuration.”

Dial and Visual Features

The black dial lacks a date aperture and features a yellow, red, and black 'NO RADIATIONS' emblem at the 6 o'clock position. The dial also displays 'T < 25 MC.' at the outer edge, indicating tritium content of less than 25 mC.

The watch is equipped with a calibrated rotating black bezel featuring luminous Arabic numerals at 15, 30, and 45, alongside a triangle at 12 o'clock. The watch is mounted on a calf leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black dial features a circular yellow, red, and black 'NO RADIATIONS' emblem positioned above 6 o'clock.”
  • “Dial text at bottom edge reads 'SWISS' and 'T < 25 MC.' below the minute track.”
  • “Calibrated rotating black bezel displays luminous Arabic numerals at 15, 30, and 45, alongside minute hash marks and a triangle at 12 o'clock.”

Mechanism and Construction

The timepiece contains an automatic caliber A.S. 1700 movement. The movement was reported to be in working order at the time of cataloging, though it has not been tested for accuracy.

The 41 mm stainless steel case includes military engravings on the case back, which are described as crisp.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: A.S. 1700”
  • “DIAMETER: 41 mm. diam.”
  • “The military engraving to the case back is crisp.”
  • “The movement is in working order at the time of cataloguing consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy.”

Open research questions

  • What specific documents constitute the Blancpain archives referenced for this serial number?
  • What is the full transcription of the military engravings on the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 'No Radiations' Diver's Wristwatch, Ref. RPG 1
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialStainless steel“CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
Diameter41 mm“DIAMETER: 41 mm. diam.”
CaliberA.S. 1700“CALIBER: A.S. 1700”
MovementAutomatic“MOVEMENT: Automatic”
Manufactured Year1965“MANUFACTURED IN: 1965”
DialBlack“DIAL: Black”
Military Identifier6645-12-149-5012“BUNDESWHER, 6645-12-149-5012”

Visible details

  • Black dial features a circular yellow, red, and black 'NO RADIATIONS' emblem positioned above 6 o'clock.
  • Calibrated rotating black bezel displays luminous Arabic numerals at 15, 30, and 45, alongside minute hash marks and a triangle at 12 o'clock.
  • Mounted on a light brown calf leather strap with light-colored accent stitching near the lugs.
  • Dial text at bottom edge reads 'SWISS' and 'T < 25 MC.' below the minute track.

Research qualifications

  • The case back bearing military engravings is not visible in the provided image.
  • The internal caliber A.S. 1700 movement cannot be independently confirmed from the single dial-side photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

BLANCPAIN, STEEL FIFTY FATHOMS ANTI-MAGNETIC DIVER'S WRISTWATCH, MADE FOR THE GERMAN MILITARY, REF. RPG 1, CASE NO. 208'148, BUNDESWHER, 6645-12-149-5012 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record b0a8e13fe9

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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