Today let’s get up close with the Blancpain Villeret GMT Reveil reference 6640, the only version of the well known travel and agenda watch that is still in the Blancpain catalogue.

A blog entirely dedicated to Blancpain timepieces
Today let’s get up close with the Blancpain Villeret GMT Reveil reference 6640, the only version of the well known travel and agenda watch that is still in the Blancpain catalogue.

With the launch of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in 2013 alongside the 60th anniversary of the legendary dive watch, Blancpain‘s main purpose may have been to offer a more tool watch like alternative to the in all aspects luxurious reference 5015. The recent evolution of the Bathyscaphe series however has outgrown it’s dive watch history and made it almost a successor to the discontinued Leman series – let me explain why.

This is another photo journey into the Villeret line with 8 day calibres and Grand Feu enamel dials. Let’s get up close with the limited to 75 pieces Villeret Quantieme Complet 8 Jours Platinum, reference 6639-3437-55B, a timepiece that found it’s way into my modest collection a few days ago.

Continue reading “The pinnacle of Blancpain Moonphase Calendars” →
Today I invite you to get up close with a watch of the high end Villeret segment that comes in case sizes between 42 and 45mm, featuring gorgeous Grand Feu enamel dials and mostly 8 day Automatic movements: the Villeret 8 Jours Demi-Fuseau Horaire, reference 6661.

Continue reading “Traveling in style… with a very sophisticated Villeret” →
I received some photos taken by two fellow Blancpain collectors who enjoy the amazing sport of diving. Both own the most sophisticated mechanical diving watch, the X Fathoms, and they love to use it for its real purpose.

Continue reading “Two fellow enthusiasts going for a dive” →
In 2003 Blancpain celebrated the 50th anniversary of an horological icon, the Fifty Fathoms and therefore the first professional diving watch introduced 1953.
To commemorate this significant milestone Blancpain released the Fifty Fathoms 50th Anniversary reference 2200A-1130-71 in a limited run of 150 pieces, split into three series with 50 watches each for Asia, Europe and North America.

Continue reading “Flashback: the 2003 Fifty Fathoms 50th Anniversary” →
Last year Blancpain introduced the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel in stainless steel with white dial and rose gold with opaline dial, now there’s a mesmerizing version in platinum with a stunning blue dial.

Continue reading “Refined excellence: the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel platinum” →
Launched in 1996 and discontinued in 2003, the Blancpain Trilogy series was the first attempt by the Manufacture since it’s resurrection to revitalize the strong heritage from the 1950s that was initiated by the first professional diving watch Fifty Fathoms and the very rare chronograph Air Command.


Today I have the pleasure to bring you closer to the Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Semainier 8 Jours, ref 6637-3631-55 with calibre 3738G2 and some additional gentleman gear…

I remember vividly my excitement when I saw the first ever Blancpain Leman watch with the new case diameter of 40mm in a catalogue 2004: the Flyback Split Second reference 2086. The watch immediately resonated with me, and for a few years to come I was not even aware of this special and extremely limited version of the Flyback Split Second, called A’Toute Vitesse.

Continue reading “Flashback: Leman Flyback Split Second A’Toute Vitesse from 2005” →
Last weekend I had the pleasure to spend a few days with Blancpain and the brand ambassador Chef Holger Bodendorf for the 20th Sylt Gourmet Festival.

Continue reading “A fireworks of culinary and horological highlights” →
This year I had the pleasure of more encounters with new Blancpain timepieces than ever before. Obviously Baselworld was the main event for the Blancpain novelties, but in 2018 we have got some new and exciting watches throughout the year, with the latest one being introduced just prior to Christmas.

Earlier this year I spent two days in Le Brassus to visit two very special areas within the old farmhouse. You may have already seen my report on the Blancpain Vintage Atelier, now it’s time to take you along into the Métiers d’Art workshop.

After almost 3 years of joyful ownership it’s about time to dedicate a full report on my Blancpain Bathyscaphe Sedna Gold, reference 5000-36S30-NABA.

Since it’s release in 2007 the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique has seen quite a number of variations, we have seen two limited versions with historic roots (Tribute to Fifty Fathoms and Tribute to Aqua Lung), a few white FF (one plain, others with MOP dials), the DLC coated Dark Knight, some in precious metals (polished and brushed rose gold and white gold with blue dial), a brushed steel FF with a blue Flinqué dial and last year’s titanium FF with blue dial.
The one version I personally expected (and hoped for) a lot earlier than 2018 is the new Fifty Fathoms Grande Date in brushed titanium. The Grande Date, changing instantly at midnight within a blink of an eye, has debuted 2005 in the Leman Aqua Lung Grande Date and it found it’s way into various timepieces (Leman, Villeret, L’Evolution) since then, but so far never into the Fifty Fathoms collection.
Continue reading “Hands on with the Fifty Fathoms Grande Date” →
Yesterday the well known retailer Bucherer released a new timepiece belonging to their Blue Editions collection, which already features watches by Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, Tudor and others. This time it is a collaboration between Bucherer and Blancpain: the Blancpain Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition.
Thanks to Bucherer Hamburg and Blancpain Germany I had the opportunity to view the watch just hours after official release and of course take a lot of photos to share with you.

Continue reading “The new Blancpain Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition” →
On my wishlist for further exploration, a visit to the Vintage Atelier at Blancpain in Le Brassus was very high up… and now I had the chance to meet with the team that takes care of all Blancpain timepieces prior to 1981.

… but (to me) no less desirable since it has grown on me a lot and one week ago entered my modest collection…

We often discuss the sports watches made by Blancpain, the Fifty Fathoms and Bathyscaphe models are in the focus of many here in the forum. We also admire some Haute Horlogerie pieces the Manufacture is well known for, and lately we discussed some controversial L’Evolution models and the motorsport links Blancpain utilized in the design of those.
Now let’s take a closer look at the very core of Blancpain, two timepieces with a full calendar and the iconic moonphase indication. No configuration is more typical modern Blancpain, it is synonymous for the brand resurrection in the 1980s and played a significant role in the revival of the mechanical watch.

Continue reading “Quintessential Blancpain: two classic moonphase calendar timepieces” →
The Fifty Fathoms divers watch was originally designed in 1953. A deconstruction of the original model can be viewed by clicking here. The modern version has evolved from the original design, to what is today a technically superior version from the movement through to the execution of the case. This version was launched in 2007.

Continue reading “Deconstruction Blancpain Fifty Fathoms by The Naked Watchmaker” →
I was lucky enough to „customize” the beautiful Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III with a matching bracelet. This was possible thanks to the Blancpain Boutique Munich, since they were so kind to re-work a Tribute to MilSpec bracelet to a fully brushed finish so it matches the brushed case of the OC III. Let’s take a look.

Continue reading “The Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III on bracelet” →
Alongside the 24h of Spa Franchorchamps Blancpain not only had the Basel novelties on display, but also numerous timepieces that carry a motorsport inspired design, predominantly in the L’Evolution series. Two of those I had the pleasure to take photos of, thanks to the Blancpain Boutique in Munich.

Continue reading “Two motorsports inspired L’Evolution timepieces” →
Last weekend I had the pleasure to follow Blancpain’s invitation to visit the greatest GT3 event of the year, the 70th(!) 24h of Spa Franchorchamps with 63 cars from 13 different manufacturers.
Blancpain is the namegiving sponsor of the racing series since many years now and the highlight of season was a perfect opportunity to invite guests from various countries to enjoy exciting motorsports, beautiful timepieces and unrivaled hospitality.
Let’s take a look around at the Blancpain hospitaliy to give you an idea:
Continue reading “At the Blancpain Endurance Series 24h of Spa” →
Earlier this week Blancpain Germany hosted a small event with Gianluca Genoni at Landhaus Stricker on the German island Sylt…
… and of course I’d like to share some impressions with you.
I thought it might be interesting to take a closer look at two references within the same model range, the standard Fifty Fathoms ref 5015-1130-71 and the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe ref 5000-1110-70, both on bracelet. This comparison will focus on the details in mostly neutral close up shots.

Continue reading “A pictorial comparison of two Fifty Fathoms on bracelet” →
The Running Equation of Time function is rarely executed in watchmaking. Here it is combined with a perpetual calendar, moonphases indication and entirely hand engraved automatic calibre.

Yesterday I had the exceptional honor to welcome the brand new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III for a photo session.
The watch is officially launched today, and there could be no better timing to celebrate Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment activities with the third edition of the commemorative timepiece on World Ocean Day.

Dear Blancpain Blog friends, here is the very last part of my report, this time I’ll share some impressions from the Blancpain booth.
Continue reading “The Basel report(5) – impressions from the Blancpain booth and some conclusions” →
This is the fourth part of my hands-on report from Basel, showing the new Blancpain Villeret timepieces.
There have been three new Villeret watches this year, all in a 40mm case, all available in either stainless steel or rose gold, all of them on either strap or a perfectly crafted Milanaise bracelet, which is entirely manufactured inhouse and assembled by hand requiring a lot of precision in order to support the slight tapering of the bracelet. And obviously all three models feature the patented under-lug correctors.
Let us start with what some of you have instantly called a winner, the new Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel in stainless steel.
Continue reading “Hands-on with the Basel novelties (4): the Villeret timepieces” →
Blancpain introduced three new regular models in the Fifty Fathoms line, the Fifty Fathoms Grande Date, the Bathyscaphe Quantieme Annuel and the Bathyscaphe Quantieme Complet.
Let’s take a look at the Fifty Fathoms Grande Date first. Executed in brushed titanium, it is the first watch in the FF line to feature the instant changing big date we know since 2005 when it was first introduced in the Leman Aqua Lung Grande Date.
The Fifty Fathoms Grande Date has a very distinct look to it, which is also emphasized by the numerals 3 and 9 being left out from the dial. It comes on either a sailcloth strap or a Nato strap, which would be my personal choice. A titanium bracelet is not planned as of yet. The watch is a real beauty, not easy to capture in photos, though.
Here are some impressions:
Continue reading “Hands-on with the Blancpain novelties (3): the sports watches” →
This timepiece left me breathless, personally I have not encountered anything remotely close to the beautiful sensuality of the Blancpain Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde. I’m in love.
As promised, here’s my take on the Blancpain novelties in Basel with a number of photos I was able to capture during my visit. To avoid one too long post, I decided to go in five parts: this post will focus on the Bathyscaphe Jour Date 70s.
Continue reading “Hands on with the Basel novelties (part one): the Bathyscaphe Jour Date 70s” →
The Rolls watch history is linked with Blancpain and the development of the automatic wristwatches. In the 1920s, Frédéric-Emile Blancpain met the British watchmaker, John Harwood, who had been working on the concept of automatic winding in wristwatches. The two worked together and used a Blancpain base movement to develop a circular automatic wristwatch in 1926. – In 1931 F.-E.Blancpain collaborated with the French watchmaker Léon Hatot, with another form of automatic winding system. Placing the movement inside a carriage allowing it to slide back and forth, winding up the mainspring. The size of the calibre meant that a small ladie’s rectangular watch could be made, which had not been available before. The name of the watch Rolls may have been influenced by the way in which the automatic functions. It has also been suggested that F.-E. Blancpain selected the name in connection with the Rolls Royce brand.
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Continue reading “Deconstruction Rolls by The Naked Watchmaker” →
“Blancpain perpetuates its historical links with Switzerland’s oldest watchmaking tradition by making its timepieces at Le Brassus and Le Sentier, respectively a village and a hamlet in the Joux Valley. This region of the Waldensian Jura is imbued with the soul of the watchmaker’s art. Clockmaking began here in about 1740, and its workshops are still the source of 90% of the complications of Swiss mechanical watchmaking” (Blancpain website).

Continue reading “A visit to Blancpain in the Vallée de Joux” →
Since many years selected Chefs combine their art and craftmanship with the horological finesse of Blancpain, acting as brand ambassadors. Traditionally the Blancpain publication Lettres du Brassus covers Haute Cuisine as well as Haute Horlogerie, and sometimes there is a rare opportunity to join both arts during an event.
Well, when I started try to get my hands on the new Fifty Fathoms in titanium with the beautiful blue dial and bezel I hoped for the Blancpain Boutique in Munich to support me with this task.
And the fabulous team of Blancpain Munich made it happen, even in this period of the year when they have significant customer traffic, they have let the beauty go for a day to support a photo session. So I think you agree with me starting this report with a huge ‘thank you’!!!
Now, let’s get to the watch 😉
Continue reading “Hands-on with the blue dial Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Titanium” →
Thanks to the Blancpain Boutique in Munich I had a chance to welcome one of the first Blancpain Fifty FathomsTribute to MilSpec for a one day photo session.
Let me share some impressions and photos, which hopefully ease the pain for those of us (me included) waiting to finally get their own MilSpec to put it on the wrist.

Continue reading “Hands-on with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute to MilSpec” →
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