Recently I shared my review of the three standard collection variants of the new 38mm Villeret Ultraplate in stainless steel and red gold. Now I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the fourth model, the Boutique only Villeret Ultraplate 6224N-A-1142-55B in stainless steel with opaline dial and yellow gold hands and numerals, so please join me in exploring this version.
.
A subtle two-tone approach
Blancpain have entertained the concept of two-tone watches frequently during the first generation of timepieces in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In the last 20 years though this design has vanished almost completely from their catalogue, with very few exceptions.
The launch of the refreshed Villeret presented a great opportunity to gently re-introduce the aesthetic choice of blending stainless steel and gold. Besides the characteristic movement winding mass the gold color is limited to the face of of the timepiece with the Villeret 6224N Boutique Edition, with yellow gold hands and numerals adorning the opaline dial in contrast to the stainless steel case and bezel.
.
Agreed, this is not a full two-tone concept, which usually includes gold components at the watch head like bezel or crown. It is a lot more subtle than that, which possibly makes it „agreeable“ to a much wider audience.
The new hands design, the refreshed Roman numerals and the JB logo at 12 o’clock with their party polished and brushed finish look beautiful in yellow gold, especially against the warmth of the opaline dial.
.
The slightly colder nature of yellow gold (compared to red gold) also works smoothly with the stainless steel case and bezel. The overall face of the watch adds a very interesting alternative to the rest of the Villeret Ultraplate collection.
.
On the backside we find caliber 1150, finished the same way as all other new Villeret models which means the beautiful new rotor is made from 18ct red gold. In my opinion it would have been even nicer and more exclusive if the winding mass would have been executed in yellow gold for this Boutique only timepiece.
.
And again: a perfect strap choice
I mentioned it before as a real (new) virtue of the new Villeret collection: the straps Blancpain chose for all new models are sublime. This is again the case with the Villeret Ultraplate Boutique Edition: a green Nubuck alligator strap may not be the obvious or traditional choice for a two-tone dress watch, but it works perfectly and adds a lot of freshness to the timepiece.
.
Like with all other new generation Villeret models we find the strap featuring quick change spring bars at the lugs and the deployant clasp, so a strap change is easily done within seconds.
.
On the wrist
With 38mm in diameter and 8.35mm height the Villeret Ultraplate 6224N-A-1142-55B offers classic dimensions, being a good choice for almost any wrist size. The beautiful crown does not protrude the wrist in an uncomfortable way with the perfectly rounded shapes of a Villeret.
.
So it’s no surprise the watch wears very comfortably on my 17cm wrist, with the added benefit of the strap giving it a lot of presence.
.
Conclusions
I really like the subtle two-tone design realized with the Villeret 6224N Boutique Edition and that Blancpain chose yellow gold to go with the opaline dial and stainless steel case.
The green Nubuck alligator strap catches additional attention for this classic dress watch and emphasizes Blancpain’s new approach to the Villeret. These watches do deserve to get more attention, and they undoubtedly will get it.
.
You find the Villeret Ultraplate Boutique Edition here on the Blancpain website. My hands-on with the other three Villeret 6224N is available here, the general introduction to the refreshed Villeret line here in the blog.
I hope you enjoyed this review and the photos.
Cheers
Henrik