Blancpain’s native village of Villeret in Switzerland is home to one of the most iconic brands and classic collection from this Swiss luxury watchmaker. Blancpain has always been anchored in tradition, which has fared well for the brand. Their subtle style always reinterprets their classic look into new and fresh models that exude elegance.
The purity of the lines, clarity, and slenderness of Blancpain’s designs in the coveted Villeret Collection is something to cherish. Now with authentic horological values, grand feu enamel dials, blued steel serpentine hands, and stunning complications, this is a brand and collection that you simply must see.
Size/Specs/Design
Featuring beautiful polished leaf and skeletonized hour and minute hands, a stunning blued steel serpentine calendar hand, and a retrograde small 30 seconds hand (at 6 o’clock), this Blancpain design is both classic and modern. Some have likened it to the heritage designs of more modern fashion houses like Lacoste watches, but the Blancpain really is in a league of its own. The 40mm Ultraplate stainless steel case perfectly complements the flat white dial with silver-toned Roman Numerals and accents.
This a power reserve between 65 and 72 hours and vibrating at 21,600 v.p.h., the high-quality calibre 7663Q is an ultra-slim model consisting of 34 jewels and 244 individual parts. The automatic self-winding movement is powerful and can be seen through the transparent Sapphire crystal window of the back case.
Power Source
The power source used in this Blancpain is unique and gorgeous in more ways than one. Featuring an Automatic Self-Winding movement with an Ultra-Slim Calibre 7663Q containing 34 jewels, this movement has 244 parts and plenty of power for robust and precise timekeeping. Rather than having a simple movement that powers the time behind closed door, this Calibre 7663Q can be seen from behind the Sapphire transparent backing of the 40mm case.
With 2 mainspring barrels and Glucydur free sprung balance with Gold regulation screws, this calibre offers an excellent 65 hours of power reserve. This ultra-slim calibre 7663Q is 27mm in diameter and only 4.57mm thick. It also features a silicon balance spring, an under-lug corrector, powers a calendar, features retrograde small seconds, and is a secured movement.
The Good
The 40mm steel case has been Ultraplated (which you can read more about in the “Highlights” section below). With a slim 10.88mm case and Ultra-slim automatic movement design, the Blancpain Villeret Men’s Watch is stunning in both function and design. The dial of this timepiece is beautiful and clean white. This Grand Feu Enamel Dial features silver hour and minute hands that are leaf-shaped. Against the backdrop of the white dial, the silver-tone of the Roman Numerals and dial hands are luxurious and classic.
Above the 6 o’clock position is a retrograde small seconds subdial with a small silver hand that sweeps across the subdial. The black strap is made from high quality, genuine alligator-lined leather with alzavel. Secured with a folding clasp, this quality strap is complementary to this luxury watch and is quite secure.
The Bad
There are no negative aspects to this timepiece per se. It is a true luxury timepiece with all of the quality expected of a watch of this calibre. It would have been ideal if the water resistance was a bit better — perhaps 50 meters / 10 ATM / 164 feet.
Functionality
The functionality of the Villeret is simply beyond reproach. True to the world renowned Blancpain luxury name, this men’s model uses quality materials, the best calibre movement, and a world-class design.
The Highlights
One of two main highlights is the ultra-slim complication that this timepiece boasts. Only 4.57mm thick, the calibre 7663Q is beautiful and allows the actual case to be only 10.88mm thin in total. While the hour positions contain Roman Numerals in silver-tone, there is an inner, concentric ring of small black Arabic Numerals that represent a 31-day calendar. What makes this so beautiful is the blued steel serpentine hand that tracks the days on this calendar.
Blancpain uses something called “Ultraplate” in this Villeret model. Ultraplate is a trademark held by Via Murano, which results in a plated surface that is significantly more durable than the industry standard in fashion and jewellery components. While Ultraplate is a process that can be used in a range of materials and colour combinations, in this model, the case is made of stainless steel. This means that the Ultraplate was used to offer the same feel, integrity, and look of expensive silver or white gold, but at a lower price. This is a highlight because rather than ion-plating (IP) the stainless steel or leaving it natural and polished, Blancpain went the extra step to plate the steel case in a high-end process that saves you thousands of dollars as a consumer but gives your timepiece a one of a kind luxury appeal.
Unlike most calendar watches where the date must be correct via the crown ora recessed corrector button that is set in the case edge (and therefore, requires a tool to adjust the date) — this Villeret model is unique in that it features a corrector-lever/button that is hidden beneath the lug on the case back of the watch. This is a great feature that is convenient and easy to use.
Pricing
The Blancpain Villeret Ultra Slim Automatic Men’s Watch retails for $12,860. You can buy it at trusted online retailers for less.