Once every four years a perpetual calendar timepiece performs its most complicated task of including the 29th of February. With 2020 being a leap year this odd date is a good time to cover the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel reference 6656-1127-55B.

Blancpain introduced this 40mm stainless steel watch in 2018. With 40mm diameter at a height of only 10,7mm the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel offers classic and timeless proportions, aesthetically refined and reduced at the same time.

The Perpetual Calendar is a mechanical translation of the Gregorian Calendar which counts an additional day, the 29th of February, every year which is a multiple of 4 except for years evenly divisible by 100, which are not leap years unless evenly divisible by 400.

This mechanical translation goes by the name of calibre 5954 in the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel, a 4Hz automatic movement with 72 hours of power reserve and a diameter of 32mm at a height of 4,97mm. It features an 18Kt yellow gold rotor with the typical decoration we can find in the Villeret line.

What I found the most intriguing feature of this timepiece to be is the unrivaled comfort of adjusting the calendar. With the patented under-lug correctors the setting process is not only quick, but a real treat. Within a few seconds the calendar can be set with your fingertips, and it is a safe procedure, too: Blancpain has made cal 5954 a so-called Secure Movement, meaning that during the time of operation the calendar cannot be set, the correctors are blocked and you do not run the risk of damaging the movement.

Let’s turn to the face of the watch: the matte white dial is clearly worth exploring it with a loupe to discover its beautiful slightly grained texture and multi-layered structure. In combination with the perfectly executed fine print it reminds me of hand-made paper, and the slightly domed crystal with antireflective coating allows an unhindered view on it.

The calendar elements are indicated by heat blued steel hands, the time functions are indicated by the Villeret typical white gold skeleton leaf hands. The moon phase indication is also typical for Blancpain, showing the friendly face of the man in the moon.

As one would expect from the classic dimensions, the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel wears very comfortably on any size of wrist. This timepiece goes well with formal or casual attire, and thus being delivered on a black alligator strap (or the Milles Mailles bracelet) you can imagine it on a calf or suede leather strap of any color.

You can find the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel here on the Blancpain website. If you wish take a look at another compelling version of this timepiece you can find my report on the limited to 88 pieces Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel Platinum here. 

Let me close with some additional impressions:

I hope you enjoyed the report and the photos.

Cheers

Henrik