The classic complete calendar with moon phases is a signature Blancpain configuration, and there are various iterations of it in the Manufacture‘s catalogue. The most classic one is probably reference 6654 in the Villeret line with … different versions. For this report I chose the two slightly more extrovert timepieces, reference 6654-1113-55B in stainless steel with a two tone metallic grey dial and reference 6654-3640-55B in red gold with a blue dial, introduced just last year.
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Monochrome excellence
Well, one of those two is rather easy to capture in photos for a passionate amateur like me, the other one is preserving parts of its beauty for those who see it in reality. There’s no way to substitute the real life impression with any photo, of course. Still, some watches open up their character to a lens more willingly than others. Let’s start with the easier one, the Villeret 6654 in stainless steel.
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The metallic grey dial appears to be a wonderful choice for this watch. It creates a beautiful contrast despite being close to a monochrome combination between case and dial color. The fine but distinct sunburst finish is utterly beautiful on this grey dial.
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The visually contrasting date ring on the dial offers additional depth, as obviously does the blue moon phases indicator.
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The slightly playful roman numerals and the skeleton leaf hands create yet another interesting contrast to the metallic appearance of the sunburst finished dial. Not to forget the heat blued serpent hand for the date indication, of course.
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Do you want to see the watch ticking? Here you go:
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The “La dolce vita” version
The luxurious Villeret Quantieme Complet in red gold features a blue sunburst dial, a combination that is an exciting interpretation of this classic timepiece.
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Red gold timepieces with blue dials seem to be a favorite configuration of Blancpain recently. In 2019 the Fifty Fathoms 5015 first showed this combination, and last year the Bathyscaphe Sedna Gold, the Villeret Ultraplate and the watch shown here were introduced.
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To Blancpain’s credit they create new shades of blue for almost each timepiece. And the blue of the Villeret QC 6654 is another fine example how they always reach for perfection.
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Depending on light condition the dial changes from a deep midnight blue to the most vibrant electric blue. Here are some impressions making my point:
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And here’s this beauty in action:
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One reference with common virtues
Both watches have a 40mm case with a height of only 10.95mm. The beautiful curves of the Villeret case are well known, the rather short lugs make sure that the watches sit very comfortably on even a smaller wrist.
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The sophistication doesn’t stop with the case shape and high polish finish: under the four lugs you find the patented correctors for the calendar settings. This beautiful and comfortable solution stands out significantly from all other manufacturers, in fact this feature cannot be emphasized enough.
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Reference 6654 is powered by caliber 6654, which is basically caliber 1151 with an additional calendar module. As usual, the non-hacking movement beats at 3 Hz and has a power reserve of 4 days. Caliber 6654 features the typical honeycomb rotor, crafted in yellow gold for the stainless steel version and in red gold for the red gold timepiece.
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One part of the watch often does not get enough recognition and credit: the deployant clasp. It works smoothly and securely with a spring embedded in the clasp center segment, no release buttons are needed.
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A most beautiful duo
Closing the report , here are some photos featuring both Villeret 6654 together under different light conditions. You probably can understand now why I considered the amazing red gold/blue dial version a bit more difficult and the no less exciting stainless steel/grey dial timepiece a bit easier to capture. Anyway, the best way to to get a sense of the aesthetic perfection both watches offer is to see them in the metal.
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You find the Villeret 6654 in stainless steel with metallic grey dial here and the watch in red gold with blue dial here on the Blancpain website. My initial report on the red gold 6654 can be found here, another 6654 version in white gold with a (different) blue dial here in the blog.
I hope you enjoyed the report and the photos. Nearly all photos have not been processed at all to allow for a pure capture of the timepieces. Please tolerate the dust particles you see on the shots.
Cheers
Henrik