Baselworld 2014: A new perpetual calendar joins the Villeret collection
Baselworld 2014: A new perpetual calendar joins the Villeret collection
Blancpain’s capacity to develop and produce its own movements gives it complete creative freedom. This expertise, combined with a long-established tradition of innovation, has given rise to a new perpetual calendar movement endowed with an 8-day power reserve and also driving a large moon phase and small seconds.
The new self-winding Calibre 5939A comprising 379 parts measures 7.25 mm thick and 32 mm in diameter. In addition to keeping track of the varying month lengths and leap years involved in the complex Gregorian calendar without any need for adjustment until 2100, this movement powers small seconds and a large moon phase at 6 o’clock. This fully secured and protected mechanism enables adjustments of the day, date, month and moon-phase indications at all times without any risk of damaging the movement.
Its 42 mm-diameter case is equipped with Blancpain’s patented under-lug correctors. By remaining invisible when the watch is worn, these four discreet and practical correctors preserve the smooth lines of the case with its double stepped bezel, while serving to adjust the date and moon-phase indications without any need for a dedicated tool. The broad sapphire case-back reveals the meticulous finishing of the movement with its honeycomb-motif oscillating weight.
In keeping with the brand’s aesthetic codes, the white dial is in grand feu enamel, a delicate decorative technique requiring several firings in the kiln at extremely high temperatures. To ensure enhanced readability and optimal clarity, the dial displays broad painted hour-markers, well-spaced day and month indications with blued steel hands, as well as a large moon phase.
This exceptional timepiece with its classic aesthetic is naturally clothed in precious metals. Crafted in 18K red gold and teamed with a chocolate brown alligator strap or a mille mailles mesh bracelet, it is also issued in a limited numbered platinum edition. This new perpetual calendar model comes in a dedicated box equipped with a winder serving to keep the watch on time even when not in use. This cleverly designed solid wooden box can be used as a cigar humidor once the interior is removed.