Blancpain debuts Perpétuel in forest green

To mark this leap year, Blancpain is presenting its new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel model. Framed by a red gold case, its dial is decked out for the very first time in an elegant and mesmerising shade of green

The complex perpetual calendar automatically adjusts the date display to take account of variations in months and years, including leap years. It represents a veritable mechanical memory that will require no adjustment until February 2100, a month that will not fall in a leap year because of an exception in the Gregorian calendar that occurs three centuries out of four.

At Blancpain, this type of mechanism also features a moon phase at 6 o’clock that is recognisable by its unique expression. The brand’s introduction of moon phases paved the way for many other horological complications, not least the perpetual calendar. The new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel model is driven by the 5954 self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement’s meticulous finishing, red gold honeycomb oscillating weight and silicon balance spring can be admired in full through the sapphire crystal case back.

This inherently complex perpetual calendar features two specific characteristics designed to make it eminently user-friendly. The first is a secure movement that protects the calendar mechanism from damage if the wearer adjusts the watch while the indications are changing. The second is the under-lug correctors. Introduced by Blancpain as a world first on a perpetual calendar in 2005, this patented system enables the calendar indications to be adjusted simply by pressing with a finger, thus eliminating any need for a correction tool. These under-lug correctors are concealed when the timepiece is worn, meaning the sides remain smooth and uncluttered, unaltered by the small “dimples” usually found on calendar watches. These elements are complemented by the layout of the calendar indications. Despite the complexity of the mechanism (entirely developed and produced by Blancpain), the display of information is clearly spread across the dial, ensuring excellent legibility and aesthetic balance.

The colour adorning the elegant sunburst recalls the spruce forests of the Vallée de Joux, where this calendar is crafted by the watchmakers of the Grandes Complications workshop, while the brown alligator leather strap evokes the bountiful generosity of this region. The Villeret collection’s signature double-stepped case (40 mm) as well as the hands and hour-markers are in red gold, adding a contrasting touch.