Words: Josh Lee
In association with:
Blancpain, the storied Swiss watch maker, has added to its accomplished lineup by taking a selection of Villeret watches and embellishing them with the brand’s beloved sunburst-green dial, the colourway of which takes influence from the fir trees that grow in the Vallée de Joux, a Jura Mountains valley that surrounds the label’s Le Brassus workshop. In a way, this move imbues several complex, finely tuned creations with a naturalistic slant – the result, says the label, is a collection ‘characterised by the purity of its design and the technical sophistication of its movements.’ The contrast, we find, between the big splash of green, the accents of red-gold and the brown straps – all of which is enhanced by the double-stepped case – creates a rich interplay of tones. Below, we take a deeper look at three models…
Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel, blancpain.com
Villeret Extraplate
Perhaps the most prosaic design here, the ‘elegantly understated’ Villeret Extraplate showcases only what is essential: hours, minutes, seconds and date. The effect, therefore, is a design language revolving around a pared-back aesthetic – one which, as Blancpain states, belies the ‘complexity hidden beneath the dial.’ Inside, there’s an extremely thin Calibre 1151 (3.37mm), and the red-gold case is only 8.7mm thick, features that simply add to the graceful feel. Though slender, it has a power reserve of 100 hours.
Villeret Quantième Complet
The key draw here is the usage of both a complete calendar (two apertures – day and month – and a date ring) and the iconic moon-phase display, creating what horology enthusiasts might label a ‘mechanical marvel.’ Though technically intricate and brilliant, the contrast between the dial and the red-gold hands ensures easy reading (as well as a warm interplay), and the calendar indications can be safely adjusted courtesy of one of the label’s most notable feats: its patented under-lug correctors.
Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel
This piece of wristwear’s ingenuity is clear for all to see: a flying tourbillon at 12, a flying carrousel at 6, and a date display at 3, with the two regulators intended to minimise the ‘effects of Earth’s gravity on a movement’s operation.’ (Such an accomplishment was presented by Blancpain as a world first, in 2013.) The two carriages rotate independently, but are linked by ‘a differential that transmits the average rate of the two regulators to the time display,’ and an external winding crown allows the two barrels to be wound equally and at the same time. Precision, therefore, is guaranteed, and the seven-day power reserve can be tracked through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
Want more from Blancpain? Its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe blends classic colours with contemporary intricacies…
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