Who sold the first divers' watch with a uni-directional bezel, was it indeed Blancpain or an affiliate?
And is it also true that Submariners couldn't have a un-directional bezel until like 1979, or the early 80s, because of Blancpain's patent? I am not asking anything about the 1953 or 54 dates, just curious who sold the first divers' watch with a unidirect...
That's my understanding.... had a 1978 5513 Sub with bezel that rotated in either direction
and the 1665 Sea Dweller (a true diving watch), also had a bi-directional bezel. As long as the bezel didn't bump into anything while submerged you'd be ok from a timing standpoint, I guess.
That's what the Internet seems to think too...
Okay, so was there any divers' watch in the 1970s with a uni-directional bezel? Fifty Fathoms were still sold then right? Were those not uni-directional from that time? Also, was it the Blancpain patent that stopped Rolex from putting a uni-directional be...
Possibly... that might explain why every diver of the time period that I can think of, such as Omega Seamaster 300, was bi-directional
The only uni-directional that comes to mind was the Omega Ploprof, with an odd (unique?) design to keep the bezel from moving around once it is set. Of course, you'll never read on this topic from someone like noted BP hater Jose Pereztroika (Perezcope). ...
I do wish there was more information on this era of bi-directional bezel divers
If Blancpain /Rayville did have the patent, why not use it on your watches? I am confused by that.
Doxa Sub 300
The unidirectional bezel was introduced by Doxa in 1967. From the CH489048 patent: "est montée une lunette rotative 5 qui peut être entraînée à la main dans le sens anti-horaire. Cette lunette présente à sa périphérie un profil formé d'échancrures 6 qui o...