Today we are in for a real treat since this article does not cover one specific watch but instead an extremely rare set of eight timepieces, each crafted in a 38mm platinum case and featuring a black dial, each representing signature Blancpain complications, from Ultra-Plat to Minute Repeater. This set was called Apotheosis Temporis, it was introduced in 2005 and only eight of these sets were made.
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During the first decade of the 21st century Blancpain had a most productive and innovative period with technical solutions like the under-lug-correctors, stunning complications like the Carrousel or Equation du Temps Marchante and the launch of groundbreaking movements like the 1315. They also looked back to a most significant milestone in the early days of modern Blancpain, the Six Masterpieces, and created a no less remarkable new translation of that idea with the Apotheosis Temporis.
Eight watches with a 38mm platinum case, black dial, exhibition case back and a platinum winding mass, coming on a black alligator strap with a platinum deployant buckle and housed not in a box but a piece of furniture with drawers and eight individually set rotating watch winders… calling the Apotheosis Temporis spectacular might sell it short.
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Only eight sets were produced and since they were introduced at a time when internet coverage was still limited, not a lot of in depth information exists. Well, until now that is, since a close friend was able to secure one set at auction and I have the honor to share his Apotheosis Temporis with you.
Let’s start with the lineup of complications within the set. The majority of timepieces are based on the Six Masterpieces: the Ultra-plat (now automatic and with running seconds and a date window), the Quantieme Complet, the Quantime Perpetuel, the Chronographe Rattrapante (now in a monopusher configuration), the Tourbillon 8 Jours and the Repetition Minutes. For the Apotheosis Temporis Blancpain added the Dual Time and the Equation du Temps Marchante, representing one very popular entry level complication and one that showcases the horological excellence of the manufacture.
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The Ultra Thin
This basis configuration builds on the well known caliber 1151 and offers a central seconds hand with a date window at 3 o’clock. It is an elegant watch and the least complicated in the Apotheosis Temporis.
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The Dual Time Zone
Made for capturing local time zones when traveling with having the home time displayed as well, the Dual Time Zone in addition features a nicely executed day/night indicator in a subdial at 9 o’clock.
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The Complete Calendar with Moonphases
This configuration represents the first timepiece Blancpain introduced after the resurrection of the brand in the early 1980s and it is a signature timepiece ever since. The characteristic face on moonphase disc, the two windows for day and month in the upper dial half and the pointer date are synonymous with the brand.
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The Perpetual Calendar
The beautifully balanced dial of this timepiece with three subdials and the corresponding moonphase indication next to the Blancpain signature is another classic in the brand’s lineup, this version however introduces a beautiful and elegant technical innovation with the patented under-lug-correctors.
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The Monopusher Split Seconds Chronograph
Based on the famous Frederic Piguet caliber 1185 this timepiece is elevating this groundbreaking movement by combining the split seconds complication with the beauty of a monopusher for the basic start/stop/reset chronograph function built into the crown.
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The Flying Tourbillon
Another signature complication for Blancpain is the Flying Tourbillon, created in collaboration with independent watchmaker Vincent Calabrese. What adds to the fascination for this timepiece is the extraordinary power reserve of 8 days.
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The Equation of Time Perpetual Calendar
The indication of the apparent solar time next to the mean solar time (our standard time model) is an exciting complication in itself, executing it in a way that the apparent solar time is displayed as a second minute hand is an achievement that showcases Blancpain’s deep horological excellence. This timepiece in addition features a perpetual calendar, so we are talking about two grand complications in one watch.
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The Minute Repeater
The most simple looking watch, displaying only hours and minutes on the dial, is actually the most revered complication of all: the Minute Repeater. With the help of a slider at the left case flank the owner can trigger the acoustic telling of hours, quarters and minutes with the help of crystal clear tones generated by two hammers hitting two circular gongs.
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The aesthetic base for this set is the second generation of what we understand as the Villeret collection, it was the design that officially carried that name for the first time. Characteristic elements are the small serif Roman numerals and the slim leaf hands. It is a very subtle and timeless design that hasn’t lost any significance over time.
Five timepieces feature a platinum winding mass with Geneva stripes and a raised Blancpain signature. The three Grande Complication watches (Tourbillon Volant, Equation du Temps and Repetition Minutes) in contrast offer hand engraved individual rotors, each complementing the individual timepiece in style and execution.
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The diameter of 38mm is meeting a size sweet spot not affected by varying trends and therefore probably the best possible solution for an extraordinary set like this. This timeless size combined with the rare platinum/black dial configuration may very well lead to the Apotheosis Temporis becoming one of the most memorable creations by Blancpain for now and decades to come.
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It is a testament to the impact modern Blancpain made on the resurgence of mechanical watches and how the manufacture evolved into the 21st century, combining classic 1980s icons with recent horological achievements. And it is a very rare treat with only eight sets produced, and actually less than eight being complete today.
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The design code of the Villeret lives on in the renewed model family that was introduced in 2025, but the striking combination of white metal with black dial has not surfaced ever since the Apotheosis Temporis was created over 20 years ago. You find the new Villeret generation here in the blog.
The dedication to immensely complicated timepieces at Blancpain has found its peak with the Grande Double Sonnerie, also introduced in 2025. Find the comprehensive story about that masterpiece here in the blog or read various articles about it in much more detail here in the Lettres du Brassus on the Blancpain website.
I hope you enjoyed this review of this rare and spectacular creation from 2005 and the photos. A special thank you goes to my friend who made this possible.
Cheers
Henrik