Introducing: The Updated Blancpain Villeret Golden Hour Collection
Today, we’ll look at tasteful updates by Blancpain to its Villeret collection. Aside from the well-known Fifty Fathoms, these are the watches most people think of when considering the brand. After all, this collection was an integral part of Blancpain’s relaunch in the ’80s. For today, three models have been reinterpreted with golden-hour hues. Let’s take a closer look.
When I began looking at watches during the mid-’90s, Blancpain was one of the first names I heard. Salespeople were well armed with the histories of brands, and we were told about the oldest of them all. Yes, Blancpain was founded in 1735. Due to the honor of being the oldest surviving watchmaker, it makes sense that one of its core collections consists of classically designed pieces. The Villeret of today has a direct aesthetic relationship to the watches I saw years ago. Today, though, three key models have been updated with small changes and golden-hour-toned dials.
A host of updates to the Villeret
We’ll go through each of the three models, but there are some common changes throughout the collection. First, these versions have been announced under the Golden Hour name, which is expressed via golden-brown or opaline sunburst dials. Blancpain has also added 18K gold indexes and hands. For the first time, the Roman numeral “XII” makes way for a “JB” symbol in honor of the founder, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. Also, the hands now contain luminous material. Other changes include larger, more legible calendar windows and bigger crowns. For models with 40mm cases, expect thinner, more sculpted forms. The folding clasps now feature a leaf-spring-style closure, a system that has taken much of the watch market by storm. Finally, the watches now come with a five-year warranty.
The Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune
Blancpain’s Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune is the most complicated model sporting an update. The 40.2mm case is available in stainless steel or 18K red gold. The latter material is available with an opaline or golden-brown dial. Functionally, the watches display the time, day, date, month, and lunar phase.
From an aesthetic standpoint, Blancpain has adorned the moonphase display with a ceramic disc and domed moon. The appearance is vibrant yet formal.
The Quantième Complet uses the in-house 6654.4 automatic caliber. This thin 28-jewel movement contributes to a 10.6mm total case thickness, which is impressive considering the complications. It has a power reserve of 72 hours, a silicon hairspring, and a frequency of 28,800vph. Operationally, in addition to the crown, this larger caliber uses the brand’s novel under-the-lug correctors for changes. Regarding pricing, the stainless steel model costs CHF 15,400, and the gold pieces list for CHF 27,200.
The Villeret Ultraplate
The heart of the Villeret lineup is the three-hand Ultraplate with a date function. These references have a 40mm case diameter and a slim 8.7mm thickness. Once again, the watches are available with a steel or 18K red gold case. The dial hues are consistent with the moonphase models, which means that the gold variants offer the option of an opaline or golden-brown visage. As mentioned, the indexes and hands are also 18K gold.
Blancpain’s caliber 1151 powers the Ultraplate and boasts noteworthy specifications. It has a power reserve of 100 hours and a frequency of 21,600vph. From a finishing standpoint, the visible 3.25mm-thick caliber has Geneva striping and a skeletonized 18K gold rotor. Like other Blancpain movements, the 1151 also has a silicon balance spring. As the most toned-down offering, the Ultraplate is also the most approachable. The stainless steel models retail for CHF 9,900, while the gold references list at CHF 20,500.
The Villeret Quantième Phases de Lune
Blancpain has also updated its smaller moonphase model. The 33.2mm Quantième Phases de Lune receives the Golden Hour treatment with opaline or golden-brown dials with diamond indexes. Stainless steel and 18K red gold are the case materials, but there’s a twist. Due to the smaller footprint, versions with a diamond-set bezel are also available.
The Villeret Quantième Phases de Lune houses the automatic caliber 913QL.P. Through the case back, the movement displays Geneva stripes and a gold open-worked rotor. Performance-wise, the 913QL.P has a 40-hour power reserve, a silicon balance spring, and a frequency of 21,600vph. Unlike the larger moonphase models, these references feature correctors on the case sides. The stainless steel versions list at CHF 11,600 or CHF 16,400, with the latter having the diamond-set bezel. The red gold models cost CHF 19,400 or CHF 24,400 if diamonds are added.
Final thoughts
Blancpain has added thoughtful small touches to its important Villeret collection. More sculpted cases and enhanced legibility are details that potential buyers will notice. Plus, the new colors and dial designs look more modern without fully straying from the classical Villeret approach. For now, visit the official Blancpain site for more details and for local pricing. We’ll be back with more in an upcoming hands-on article.
