In 1952 two French Naval officers Commander Robert Malaubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud were requested by the French Ministry of Defense to initiate and elite unit of combat swimmers for the French Military special manouvers. Known as "les nageurs de combat" the unit required rugged equipment and contacted Blancpain SA to supply a suitable wristwatch. By 1953 a suitable watch was created and in 1954 the "Fifty Fathoms" (capable of diving to 91 meters) was launched in France. The later Aqua Lung version of the model with a depth rating of 1000 ft as offered here is referred to by collectors as the "life saver" due to its wide bezel.