8 Blancpain Villeret Watches

Blancpain is the oldest Swiss watchmaker that has been in constant production for more than 200 years, keeping alive an impressive legacy of craftsmanship and watchmaking genius. Today as the brand stands at the apex of high horology, it continues to create mechanical timepieces with stellar complications and timeless aesthetics. 

In pursuit of changing the horological landscape, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain established his eponymous label in 1735. His grandson — Frédéric-Louis Blancpain — who took the reins of the house in 1815, shared the founder’s passion and thereby played an instrumental role in taking the business to new heights. He not only modernised the workshops into full-blown watchmaking structures capable of producing complex timepieces but also introduced ultra-thin watches in addition to modifying the escapement design.

When Frédéric-Emile Blancpain, the 7th generation of the family, died in 1932, the company's management was transferred outside the family for the first time since its foundation. Subsequently, Betty Fiechter became the first female CEO of the house. From 1961 to 1992, the company's ownership changed a few hands, finally settling under the umbrella of SMH (Swiss Corporation of Microelectronics and Watchmaking Industries), which later became the Swatch Group we know today. 

‘Innovation Is The Tradition’ At Blancpain

Blancpain’s art of watchmaking is characterised by its penchant for innovation. It marries traditional know-how with an ingenious spirit to create brilliant timepieces with unique in-house calibres. In the last 10 years, the maison has produced 43 new calibres, each of which contributes to the evolution of horology. Blancpain watches are interspersed with difficult-to-produce complications, such as perpetual calendars, moonphase, tourbillons, carrousels, minute-repeaters, chronographs, and more. 

The spirit of innovation is not only found in technical aspects but also in craftsmanship. From the decoration of the movement to the use of materials and modifications in design, a creative mood characterises each step of Blancpain’s watchmaking process. And the most eloquent expression of the maison’s prowess in the sphere is the Métiers d'Art collection that comprises unique, handcrafted watches adorned with highly-decorative art engravings. Therefore, with a Blancpain, one not only gets hold of an exceptional timepiece but also a manifestation of maison’s painstaking artisanship.

In terms of overall aesthetics, each Blancpain carries an elegant design. From sports watches such as Fifty Fathoms and Air Command to delicate dress models including Villeret and Ladybird, a Blancpain is always refined and looks polished on the wrist. Graceful round cases, remarkable finishes, streamlined construction, and unparalleled mechanical efficiency are some of the hallmarks of a Blancpain watch.

Blancpain Watch Collections

Blancpain is one of the few watchmakers that has never produced a single quartz watch in its longstanding history. It takes pride in producing limited annual runs of only mechanical watches that are powered by in-house movements. The brand’s veritable watch trove encompasses five primary collections. While Fifty Fathoms — the first dive watch ever made — demonstrates the house’s interests in the underwater world, Air Command is a chronograph that connects Blancpain to military aviation. 

Villeret, named after the house’s native village, is a collection of contemporary dress watches that deftly bring a combination of subtle elegance and sophisticated complications. Advancing a similar urbane stance, Ladybird is an exclusive women’s watch collection by Blancpain that forays into the realms of jewellery watchmaking. Ladybird watches come wreathed in the charm of diamonds and carry exquisite mother-of-pearl dials. 

Fifty Fathoms —  First Modern Diver’s Watch

Born out of Blancpain’s passion for the underwater world in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms sailed for far-off shores and became the first modern diver’s watch, equipped with features defined by the French Navy squad, Nageur de Combat. With a unidirectional rotating timing bezel, a patented O-ring seal and double-sealed crown system, and fifty fathoms (300m) of water resistance, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms became an archetype, drawing from which all future dive watches would be made. 

Seven decades later, Fifty Fathoms is still the most coveted Blancpain watch that proudly carries all the pioneering elements of the original design. However, the modern-day Fifty Fathoms lean more toward the Blancpain design aesthetic that translates it into an haute horologerie piece. But who’s complaining. Blancpain’s unparalleled precision is manifested flawlessly on each timepiece through excellent construction and elite mechanical movements that include 8-day perpetual calendars, 12-day tourbillons, and even a carousel minute-repeater flyback chronograph.

In conclusion, Blancpain is one of the most innovative and revered Swiss brands in the contemporary watchmaking scene. Employing traditional know-how, the house makes timepieces for the future, guided by bold determination and the perpetual quest for innovation.