The Villeret Collection by Blancpain comprises the brand’s most classical watches, and this year, for the first time, it includes a watch with big date display, with two windows for optimum legibility. The self-winding calibre 6950, with 285 components, was designed specifically to maintain the watch’s slim profile, and to allow a date change exactly and instantaneously at midnight. Twin mainspring barrels give the watch a power reserve of 72 hours, and the silicium spiral balance provides good anti-magnetic characteristics.
The view of the calibre 6950 movement below shows how the big date display works. There is enough room on the wheel for the four first digits (0, 1, 2, 3) to make them large; on the wheel for the second digit, the numerals are slewed so there is room to make them larger.
The double pomme case in red gold is 40 mm in diameter, 10.88 mm thick, with a transparent sapphire caseback. The opaline-finish dial provides a backdrop for the red gold hands and applied Roman numerals. Water resistance is 30 metres. The watch has a chocolate brown alligator strap.
Reference and price
The Blancpain Villeret Grande Date, reference 6669-3642-55B, costs 19,900 Swiss francs. It is also available in a stainless steel version, 10,900 Swiss francs.
