Blancpain 3H Bund… that 70’s Taucheruhr
Posted: February 1st, 2023, 2:33 am
In 1975, the German Bundesmarine (Federal Navy) contracted Blancpain to produce a military spec taucheruhr (dive watch) for use by the elite Kampfschwimmers. The Kampfschwimmers of the era were equipped with rebreathers, which allowed them to stay submerged for longer periods. This influenced the aesthetic of the over-engineered timepiece Blancpain developed.
The Blancpain Bund’s bezel insert no longer required minute hash marks, resulting in a simple one triangle black insert (now co-opted by the Unimatic). You’ll also notice the wide hands, crown at 4 o’clock and circled 3H text in red indicating Hydrogen-3, aka Tritium, lume was used.
The case, made by Von Büren of Squale fame, was very thick at 15.5mm, supported a 5mm crystal, and 2mm drilled lugs.
The Bund 3H has been on my project wish list for the longest time, and was always possible provided you sacrificed some features and were willing to drop ~$750 for a Squale 1521.
But the project became economically feasible once Steeldive released their $150 ‘1979’ diver:
It’s a close enough match
A big credit goes to @manodeoro for paving the way with his Bund build at RWI https://forum.replica-watch.info/thread ... t-11029328. His build set the standard and inspired me to get my own done.
.
.
.
Once again, @madasboot comes to the rescue.
Insert detail: M made the insert from two layers of plastic sheet. It was not a direct drop, but required beveling to ensure a tight fit. The lume triangle sits on the outside with a faint 3D pyramid shape, a feature M picked up from Amsterdam Watch Company’s Squale Militaire Bund homage.
3H detail
Case thickness
I literally passed my Steeldive to M during one of our coffees, and although the watch was not his cup of tea (“too seventies”), he dove into it with his trademark fanatical attention to detail.
The build can still benefit from some tweaks. I need to remove the Steeldive logo from the crown. I need to drill the 2mm lugholes. The minute hand might need to be upgraded (ahem @manodeoro ). However, I decided to keep the case’s parkerized finish, as I can’t fathom (pun intended) why a military watch would be shiny.
Thank you again to @madasboot for realizing the Bund 3H for me, and for waterproofing it for this lucky Schreibtischschwimmer
Appreciate you looking
P.S. M and the Blancpain Trinity
The Blancpain Bund’s bezel insert no longer required minute hash marks, resulting in a simple one triangle black insert (now co-opted by the Unimatic). You’ll also notice the wide hands, crown at 4 o’clock and circled 3H text in red indicating Hydrogen-3, aka Tritium, lume was used.
The case, made by Von Büren of Squale fame, was very thick at 15.5mm, supported a 5mm crystal, and 2mm drilled lugs.
The Bund 3H has been on my project wish list for the longest time, and was always possible provided you sacrificed some features and were willing to drop ~$750 for a Squale 1521.
But the project became economically feasible once Steeldive released their $150 ‘1979’ diver:
It’s a close enough match
A big credit goes to @manodeoro for paving the way with his Bund build at RWI https://forum.replica-watch.info/thread ... t-11029328. His build set the standard and inspired me to get my own done.
.
.
.
Once again, @madasboot comes to the rescue.
Insert detail: M made the insert from two layers of plastic sheet. It was not a direct drop, but required beveling to ensure a tight fit. The lume triangle sits on the outside with a faint 3D pyramid shape, a feature M picked up from Amsterdam Watch Company’s Squale Militaire Bund homage.
3H detail
Case thickness
I literally passed my Steeldive to M during one of our coffees, and although the watch was not his cup of tea (“too seventies”), he dove into it with his trademark fanatical attention to detail.
The build can still benefit from some tweaks. I need to remove the Steeldive logo from the crown. I need to drill the 2mm lugholes. The minute hand might need to be upgraded (ahem @manodeoro ). However, I decided to keep the case’s parkerized finish, as I can’t fathom (pun intended) why a military watch would be shiny.
Thank you again to @madasboot for realizing the Bund 3H for me, and for waterproofing it for this lucky Schreibtischschwimmer
Appreciate you looking
P.S. M and the Blancpain Trinity
