Blancpain‘s Villeret line offers a wide range of timepieces with different calendar functions. Among those the Villeret Quantieme Complet Phases de Lune GMT reference 6676-1127-55B is clearly a very beautiful execution of perfect functionality.
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The well known complete calendar and a bit more
The classic architecture of Blancpain‘s complete calendar with moon phases can be found in nearly all model lines since the 1980s. It was a signature element for the revival of mechanical watches at that time, and it hasn’t lost any of it’s appeal since.
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The display of weekday and months in two aligned windows, the corresponding moon phase indication in the lower dial section and the central hand pointing to the date on the outer dial rim is not only intuitive but also a perfectly balanced configuration.
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The Villeret typical slightly playful Roman numerals add an element of elegance to the slightly grained matte white dial. This notion of elegance is further emphasized by the skeleton leaf hands.
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And then there’s the additional GMT indication by a central hand pointing to the 24 hours printed on an inner circle.
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All those elements work in perfect balance due to the multiple layers of the dial, which visually support each indication.
A little bit of spice is added by the red lacquered tip of the GMT hand and the heat blued serpent hand pointing to the date. These colorful details add significantly to the overall exceptional aesthetics of the Villeret 6676.
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Patented functionality
We all know the usual small pushers in the case flanks to correct the calendar. Not so in the Blancpain Villeret timepieces: Blancpain has a patented solution that keeps the case flanks aesthetically unharmed: the correctors under the lugs.
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This sophisticated solution allows to change the calendar indications and moon phases with your fingertip. Simply push the small buttons towards the case and the selected indication moves on step forward.
Since Blancpain also uses a so called secure movement, the quick set of the calendar indications is blocked during the operational time window between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., an accidental damage to the movement is therefore not possible.
The hour hand of the Villeret 6676 can be adjusted separately through the first crown position, making the process of setting the time to a different time zone very easy. In the second position all hands including the GMT hand are moving when adjusted.
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A beautiful and well known movement
That brings us to caliber 67A5.4, based on the reliable and constantly improved caliber 1150. It has however been changed to a frequency of 4Hz at the expense of providing a power reserve of 72h instead 100h with the 3Hz configuration.
The finish of caliber 67A5.4 is as beautiful as you would expect from a Villeret timepiece. The traditional Geneva stripes, perlage and polished bevels fit the watch perfectly, as does the 18ct yellow gold rotor with its honeycomb design.
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On the wrist
With 40.5mm in diameter and 11.8mm in height the Villeret 6676 wears comfortably on the wrist, showing a typical understatement yet a lot of presence.
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The 22/18mm black alligator strap is secured by a double deployant with a very comfortable spring mechanism.
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Alternative configurations
The Villeret Quantieme Complet Phases de Lune GMT is also available in stainless steel on the fabulous Mille Mailles bracelet or in red gold with an opaline dial, again on strap or the bracelet.
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Conclusions
The Villeret 6676 really offers a lot: a subtle yet detail rich timeless design, beautifully executed in every aspect, and thoughtful functionality.
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The watch works well with formal or business attire, with a different strap choice it can easily work as a casual timepiece as well.
The one thing missing is luminosity, the watch cannot be read at night, just like all timepieces from the Villeret line.
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However, the Villeret Quantieme Complet Phases de Lune GMT is a fine example for a refined timepiece and pure Blancpain.
You find the Villeret 6676 here on the Blancpain website. If you wish to see some other Villeret calendar watches, you find the stainless steel versions the Quantieme Perpetuel here, the Grande Date Jours Rétrograde here and the GMT Reveil here in the blog.
I hope you enjoyed this essay and the photos!
Cheers
Henrik