This marvel is now with me for 20 years, so its about time to devote a full blog post to it: my 2100 Moon Phase Calendar Half Hunter aka Quantieme Phases de Lune Demi-Savonette, reference 3563-3618.

In 1999 Blancpain introduced three limited Half Hunter models, each in both rose and white gold. There was a 2100 Ultraplate Half Hunter ref 3100, a Chronographe Half Hunter ref 3185 (both models limited to 333 pieces in either metal) and the Moon Phase Calendar Half Hunter ref 3563, limited to 250 pieces in rose or white gold.

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Both the three hand 3100 and the Chronograph 3185 had Half Hunter printed on the dials, the 3563 however had to be turned to become aware of the Savonette case back.

The watch measures 38mm in diameter and a little more than 12mm in height, the 18Kt rose gold case shows those beautiful shapes the 2100/Leman series was well known for. A slightly domed sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides protects an opaline dial with applied faceted markers.

The dial in itself is a piece of art: it has multiple levels and the opaline finish adopts to different light conditions in a most beautiful way.

When you turn the watch and open the curved Savonette case back you find calibre 6763 under a second crystal, which is basically a 1151 with calendar module. The 18Kt YG rotor shows the individual number of the watch and the limitation.

The watch is so pure and opulent at the same time, in fact it is an excellent example for what Blancpain wanted to achieve with the 2100/Leman line (find the first part of the Leman anthology here and the second part here): a sporty dress watch, a companion for every occasion. And even in rose gold it is exactly that, you can emphasize its dress watch character with a black alligator strap or – like I prefer it – dress it down a bit with a light tan Nubuck strap.

The moon phase calendar is a signature model for Blancpain since the 1980s, with the 2100 Quantieme Phases de Lune Half Hunter it probably marked the absolute peak of this configuration prior to the Millennium.

My personal 3563 has witnessed some  important personal milestones in the last 20 years… and it also has (intentionally) lost two elements that were a feature of the watch when bought new: usually the Savonette case back shows a nice perlage on the inner side. I wanted the inner case back to be mirror polished, so that was done by a very experienced workshop. I also had the lume in the tips of the hands removed since the dial carries no luminous material. Other than that the watch had survived its first two decades pretty well with one service done and another coming up soon.

If you wish to dig deeper into another special Blancpain moon phase calendar timepiece you can find my report on the 2012 Villeret Quantieme Complet 8 Jours here.

I hope you enjoyed the report and the photos!

Cheers

Henrik