Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Non-homage Dive Watches
Post Reply
User avatar
Fizzzz
Mad scientist
Mad scientist
Posts: 432
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 5:43 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Fizzzz »

madasboot wrote: January 30th, 2023, 10:11 am
Fizzzz wrote: January 30th, 2023, 8:00 am @madasboot
Simple friction bezel? Then why need to push down?
S., S., S…
If you dont press it doesn’t rotate.
These damn things are friction but tight… :)
M., M, M...
I've found that Blancpain has patented this mechanism in 1954:
Leaf springs to lock the bezel rotation: you need to press down to unlock.
madasboot
Tinkerer
Tinkerer
Posts: 304
Joined: April 19th, 2019, 2:26 am
Location: Singapore

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by madasboot »

Fizzzz wrote: January 31st, 2023, 5:01 am
madasboot wrote: January 30th, 2023, 10:11 am
Fizzzz wrote: January 30th, 2023, 8:00 am @madasboot
Simple friction bezel? Then why need to push down?
S., S., S…
If you dont press it doesn’t rotate.
These damn things are friction but tight… :)
M., M, M...
I've found that Blancpain has patented this mechanism in 1954:
Leaf springs to lock the bezel rotation: you need to press down to unlock.
Ouch…
Damn, I didn’t know that. you have any idea on how it worked?
“European” FFs had friction bezels.

Look at this one:
24092462-32C6-491E-B902-4666D7658865.jpeg
Best
M.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Fizzzz
Mad scientist
Mad scientist
Posts: 432
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 5:43 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Fizzzz »

@madasboot
No more precision about this "leaf spring lock",
a picture of the bezel back may help...
Maybe this retaining ring was wavy to press vertically.

First BFF was introduced in 1953,
back then, Blancpain was not known in FR, so they have entrusted LIP company for FR market (1954-1957)
Ironic anecdote:
Just a few years earlier, Robert Maloubier ("nageurs de combat" founder) has first introduced his diver watch concept to LIP,
but LIP said -no future for a diver watch-" !
then only, Bob Maloubier went to Blancpain ...
madasboot
Tinkerer
Tinkerer
Posts: 304
Joined: April 19th, 2019, 2:26 am
Location: Singapore

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by madasboot »

@Fizzzz

This must be the leaf spring you refer:
(17)
8A149101-6121-4D85-A75B-E8DB1667E1CC.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Fizzzz
Mad scientist
Mad scientist
Posts: 432
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 5:43 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Fizzzz »

@Madasboot
Yep, makes sense with friction on (7)
Amazing document, would you share the source please?
madasboot
Tinkerer
Tinkerer
Posts: 304
Joined: April 19th, 2019, 2:26 am
Location: Singapore

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by madasboot »

Fizzzz wrote: January 31st, 2023, 5:57 am @Madasboot
Yep, makes sense with friction on (7)
Amazing document, would you share the source please?
Let me check in the computer.
Ace0nBase
Super Lost Sheep
Super Lost Sheep
Posts: 31
Joined: March 9th, 2019, 11:28 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Ace0nBase »

I believe the older Rolex's bezel work the same way. I know at least the 1675 GMT did.

But this is good news for someone like me who wants to potentially reduce the height of the bezel of this case. Hopefully will be able to remove the click mechanism and rig up some kind of friction ring to reinstall the bezel with. Just ordered one of these off of Ali so we shall see.
User avatar
jrlmsla
VIP
VIP
Posts: 893
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 6:40 am

Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by jrlmsla »

Fizzzz wrote:[mention]Madasboot[/mention]
Yep, makes sense with friction on (7)
Amazing document, would you share the source please?
Here is the patent paperwork that includes the illustration and description of the case filed by the CEO of Blancpain Jean Jacques Fiechter in 1955
Image
Image
Image
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Fizzzz
Mad scientist
Mad scientist
Posts: 432
Joined: June 4th, 2018, 5:43 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Fizzzz »

@jrlmsla

Thank you for this interesting document :thumbup:
User avatar
Thrasher
Watch Idiot
Watch Idiot
Posts: 1484
Joined: March 9th, 2019, 11:54 am

Re: Blancpain US Navy… now within reach

Post by Thrasher »

I received a fantastic BLANCPAIN US NAVY Rdunae diver today from Madasboot but of course Pixelsbin is down so I can't post a picture!
Post Reply