The dawn of a new year often brings with it a sense of anticipation, a fresh start, and a chance to embrace new beginnings. In the realm of haute horology, this anticipation takes on a particularly special meaning, as watchmakers around the world unveil their latest creations, each a testament to their artistry and technical prowess. Among these esteemed maisons,
Blancpain stands out with its unwavering commitment to tradition and innovation, a philosophy beautifully embodied in the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025. This remarkable timepiece, launched in December 2024, not only marks the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese
Zodiac but also celebrates the enduring legacy of Blancpain's Villeret collection and the maison's mastery of complex calendars.
Blancpain, a name synonymous with watchmaking excellence, has a history that stretches back to 1735, making it the world's oldest watchmaking brand. Founded by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in the serene village of Villeret, Switzerland, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of horological innovation, crafting timepieces that are both technically impressive and aesthetically captivating. From pioneering the world's first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, to mastering the intricacies of the minute repeater and the tourbillon, Blancpain has consistently demonstrated its unwavering dedication to the art of watchmaking.
The Villeret collection, named after the brand's birthplace, is a testament to Blancpain's commitment to classicism and understated elegance. Characterized by clean lines, refined aesthetics, and a focus on traditional complications, Villeret watches exude a sense of timeless sophistication. The collection's signature double-stepped case, slender lugs, and refined dials create a harmonious balance between form and function, making it a favorite among connoisseurs who appreciate the beauty of simplicity.
Courtesy of Blancpain
The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 is a stunning addition to this esteemed collection, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese timekeeping with Western watchmaking expertise. This isn't the first time Blancpain has ventured into the world of Chinese calendar watches. In 2012, the brand made history by introducing the world's first wristwatch to combine a complex Chinese calendar with the Gregorian date and moon phases. This groundbreaking achievement showcased Blancpain's ability to bridge cultures and traditions, creating a timepiece that resonated with watch enthusiasts worldwide.
Now, as the Chinese calendar enters its second 12-year cycle, Blancpain has reimagined its Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel, introducing a fresh design for the 12 zodiac animals that grace the dial. The 2025 edition, dedicated to the Year of the Wood Snake, marks the debut of this redesigned animal, symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and the power of transformation.
The watch itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring a 45.2 mm platinum case that exudes an aura of understated luxury. The green Grand Feu enamel dial, a first for this complication, adds a touch of vibrant sophistication, its rich hue reminiscent of jade, a stone revered in Chinese culture for its beauty and protective qualities. The dial layout is a testament to Blancpain's commitment to legibility, even when presenting a wealth of information. The various indications of the Chinese calendar, including the double hours, the five elements, the celestial stems, and the leap months, are harmoniously arranged, ensuring ease of reading. The traditional Blancpain moon phase, a signature of the brand, occupies its customary position at 6 o'clock, adding a touch of poetic charm to the dial.
Courtesy of Blancpain
At the heart of this horological marvel beats the Calibre 3638, an automatic movement comprising 464 components, each meticulously crafted and finished to the highest standards. This complex mechanism, developed over five years of intensive research, boasts an impressive seven-day power reserve, thanks to its three barrels. The inclusion of a silicon balance spring further enhances the watch's performance, ensuring exceptional accuracy and resistance to magnetic fields.
One of the most remarkable features of the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 is its user-friendly design. Blancpain's patented under-lug correctors, a world first introduced in 2005, allow for easy adjustment of the calendar indications without the need for any tools. This ingenious system not only simplifies the process of setting the watch but also maintains the clean lines of the case, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
This watch is a symphony of complications, a testament to Blancpain's unwavering dedication to the art of horology. At its heart beats the Calibre 3638, an automatic movement that's as impressive in its performance as it is in its construction. Comprising 464 components, this intricate mechanism is a marvel of micro-engineering, boasting a remarkable seven-day power reserve thanks to its three barrels. The inclusion of a silicon balance spring, a hallmark of modern watchmaking, ensures exceptional accuracy and resistance to magnetic fields, a testament to Blancpain's commitment to innovation.
Courtesy of Blancpain
But the true magic of this watch lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the complexities of the Chinese calendar with the familiar Gregorian system. The dial, a canvas of green Grand Feu enamel, presents a wealth of information in a surprisingly legible manner. The traditional Chinese calendar, with its intricate cycles and calculations, is brought to life through a series of hands and apertures. At 12 o'clock, a window reveals the current zodiac animal, the wooden snake in this instance, rendered in exquisite detail. At 3 o'clock, another aperture displays the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – along with the Yin and Yang symbols, representing the cyclical nature of time and the balance of opposing forces. At 9 o'clock, we find the Chinese days and months, while a serpentine hand gracefully points to the Gregorian date. And of course, no Blancpain watch would be complete without its signature moon phase, which occupies its rightful place at 6 o'clock, adding a touch of celestial poetry to the dial.
The complexity of this watch is matched only by its user-friendliness. Blancpain's patented under-lug correctors, a revolutionary innovation introduced in 2005, allow for effortless adjustment of the calendar indications. These discreetly positioned correctors eliminate the need for external tools, making the watch a joy to use and preserving the clean lines of its 45.2 mm platinum case.
Speaking of the case, it's a masterpiece of understated luxury. Crafted from platinum, a noble metal known for its rarity and durability, the case exudes an aura of refined sophistication. Its 45.2 mm diameter strikes a perfect balance between presence on the wrist and wearability, while its polished finish adds a touch of understated glamour. The caseback, fitted with a sapphire crystal, offers a glimpse into the intricate workings of the Calibre 3638, allowing the wearer to appreciate the beauty of the movement's finishing and decoration.
Courtesy of Blancpain
The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 is not just a watch; it's a work of art, a testament to the skill and dedication of Blancpain's artisans. The dial, with its rich green Grand Feu enamel, is a testament to the mastery of this ancient technique. The application of the enamel requires multiple firings at high temperatures, each layer carefully applied and polished to achieve a flawless surface. The Roman numerals and dots, crafted from white gold, are meticulously applied by hand, adding a touch of classicism to the dial. And the white enamel inscriptions, used for the various calendar indications, provide a subtle contrast against the green background, enhancing legibility.
But the artistry doesn't stop at the dial. Turn the watch over, and you'll be greeted by the exquisite beauty of the 22K white gold rotor. Adorned with a frosted finish, the rotor features a delicately engraved depiction of the wooden snake, brought to life by the skilled hands of Blancpain's Métiers d'Art artisans. The serpent, a symbol of wisdom and transformation, is accompanied by a natural ruby and an engraving in Chinese characters, adding a touch of cultural significance to the design.
The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 is a limited edition of just 50 pieces, each one a unique expression of Blancpain's commitment to excellence. Paired with a chocolate brown alligator leather strap that complements the green dial, this watch is a true collector's item, a timepiece that will be cherished for generations to come. With a retail price of CHF 81,000, it's an investment in horological artistry, a testament to the enduring value of traditional watchmaking.
Case: 45.2mm diameter x 15.1mm height - platinum, polished - 30m water-resistance - sapphire caseback - 5 patented under-lug correctors.
Movement: Blancpain automatic calibre 3638 - 32mm x 8.3mm - 168h (7-day) power reserve - 464 components - 39 rubies - 4Hz frequency - silicon balance spring - 18k white gold rotor, frosted with engraving of snake and ruby.
Dial: Green Grand Feu enamel - Chinese signs of the zodiac, date and month of Chinese calendar, indication of five elements, celestial stems and leap months - pointer date calendar - moon phases - applied white gold Roman numerals and dots - white enamel inscriptions.
Strap: Chocolate brown alligator leather.
Price: CHF 81,000.
Notes: Limited edition of 50 pieces. This watch is the first Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel to pair a platinum case with a green Grand Feu enamel dial.