Blancpain

On the occasion of its 275th birthday, the watch company Blancpain has launched its novel Villeret collection. It will experience its world premiere at Baselworld 2010. The first watch from this line to be introduced is a new complete calendar moon-phase model, equipped with a secure calendar mechanism and under-lug correctors.

This new assemblage from Blancpain represents a happy marriage of visual appeal and complication, reflecting the very essence of the brand. Noble, refined and elegant as ever, the models from the brand’s new series have been reinterpreted in a contemporary composition, using the benefits of the most modern technologies: Blaincpain devoted several years of intensive efforts to movement development.

The Villeret collection has always been distinguished by its complete calendar moon-phase complication. The Villeret Moon Phase watch from the line relies on a unique manufactory-made self-winding calibre, equipped with a balance wheel, beating at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It is also endowed with an antimagnetic index assembly, as well as two barrels, which provide a 72-hour power reserve. read more

Blancpain is proud to announce its new timepiece devoted to Pure Love and Femininity. The watch not only boasts a never-seen-before shape. It sparkles with over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires. Moreover, it is equipped with the smallest in the world self-winding movement, Calibre 615.

Specially created for St. Valentine’s Day 2010, the majestic lady’s watch will be available in a limited edition of just 14 pieces.

The dial of the Blancpain St Valentin 2010 watch is performed in white and pink mother-of-pearl in the shape of a heart. The dial is framed by a bezel paved with over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires. At 12 o’clock, you will notice a heart-cut diamond. One more precious detail - the pin buckle sparkles with a pear-like pink sapphire. read more

During his visit to the arms factory in the Russian town of Tula, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin handed over his pricey Blancpain watch to a metalworker of the factory . Viktor Zagaevsky became the lucky one to own Putin’s watch.

Following Vladimir Putin's speech on the economy in the town, Viktor Zagaevsky asked the Prime Minister to present him with some gift he would keep as a memory about the meeting. He added he had two sons, one of them being a military sailor.

Mr Putin was stunned by the worker's request and gestured he actually had nothing to offer. Yet he asked the metalworker what he wanted. The answer was, "Maybe your watch."  read more

The Blancpain legendary Fifty Fathoms collection has been joined by a new technically and aesthetically advanced timepiece for divers - Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch.

The case of the new 500 Fathoms measures 48mm in diameter. It is crafted from brushed titanium, the material of steely gray color that is highly appreciated by watchmakers for its light weight, corrosion-resistance and hypoallergenic properties.

The upper part of the knurled titanium unidirectional rotating bezel, featuring luminous markings, is also produced from sapphire, a hard and scratch-resistant material. The Blancpain 500 Fathoms incorporates a screw-down crown, protected from shocks by lateral shoulders.

The dial of the Blancpain watch has been designed in two tones - black and silver. The dial is completed with large Arabic numerals. The hollowed surfaces of the numerals, as well as the hour and minute hands, and a red-tipped second hand are coated with a luminous material to guarantee great legibility even in the dark. read more

The Blancpain L-evolution Collection welcomes a new sports-style watch – the Automatique 8 Jours. The case of the timepiece is slightly bigger than the case of the previously created models. The watch provides supreme reliability and performance as it is equipped with the new Calibre 13R5.

The Blancpain L-evolution Automatique 8 Jours watch catches attention by its powerful aesthetic appeal. The watch's generously-sized case measures 43.5 mm in diameter, while its black dial is characterized by an extremely complex nature.

The dial features an original cut-out design, with a big opening in the center that allows to see the base-plate embellished with an elegant Cotes-de-Geneve pattern. There are two more apertures - a date window positioned at 6 o’clock and the power-reserve display at 12 o’clock. The two oversized Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o’clock strengthen the three-dimensional nature of the dial. read more

Blancpain has created a new bold chronograph watch to celebrate the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, a unique car racing championship organized due to the joined efforts of Blancpain and Lamborghini.

The Super Trofeo Chronograph watch, unveiled at Baselworld 2009, will be available in a limited edition of 300 pieces. The case of the timepiece, 43.5 mm in diameter, is crafted from steel and provided with a DLC-treatment for extra hardness, intense color and anti-allergenic characteristics.

The new Blancpain watch accommodates a mechanical self-winding movement - Calibre F185. The movement offers 40 hours of power reserve and a range of useful functions. The timepiece is secured to the wrist on an alcantara strap.  read more

This year, Blancpain is proud to present a new exceptional diver’s watch - 500 Fathoms GMT. The timepiece accommodates the brand’s new self-winding Calibre 5215 movement that offers the GMT function. The Blancpain 500 Fathoms GMT is a great timekeeping companion for sports enthusiasts, cosmopolitans and lovers of supremely designed and technically advanced wristwatches.

The 247-part movement has a nicely engraved oscillating weight, with the shape of a boat propeller. The calibre is based on a remarkable system of micrometrical balance-regulating screws.

Due to the three series-coupled barrels, the new Calibre 5215 gives an advantage of a 5-day power reserve. The movement demonstrates highly prestigious finishes. read more

Blancpain is universally famous for its remarkable expertise in the field of watchmaking complications. Now, the brand is proud to unveil a new timepiece providing both a tourbillon and a GMT function.

The new Blancpain Tourbillon GMT watch has joined the sophisticated L-evolution Collection. Based on the brand’s rich heritage, the Blancpain L-evolution Tourbillon GMT watch makes one feel its contemporary spirit.

The sporty case, 43.5mm in diameter, is crafted in 18K white or red gold. Each version will be available in a limited number of 99 pieces. The case features an innovative design. It incorporates rapidly detachable lugs, so you can easily change a strap or a bracelet.
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Blancpain unveils a new version of its iconic 500 Fathoms watch, created specially for Only Watch 2009.

The new Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch for Only Watch 2009 wins the heart by its adventurous nautical spirit, and its strong links with the ocean. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the highly original oscillating shaped as of a boat propeller.

The Blancpain 500 Fathoms incorporates a ratcheted bezel for most comfortable grip. Its unidirectional rotation system avoids any accidental extension of diving time. The bezel is crafted in titanium and scratch-resistant sapphire. Its slightly cambered profile protects it from impacts. The bezel features the luminescent index for great visibility.

The watch has maintained many of the elements of the original Fifty Fathoms launched in 1953. It is developed from innovative materials - the case in titanium, the dial with a carbon fiber center and an insert in blued smoked sapphire glass. read more

According to Blancpain, the development and fine-tuning of a minute repeater watch requires about 10, 000 hours of meticulous work. Some minute repeater watches incorporate a 'grand sonnerie' (grand strike) mechanism that automatically strikes the hours and quarter-hours, repeats the hours at every quarter, and on demand strikes the hours, quarters and minutes. read more

The universally famous watchmaking house Blancpain continues its steady march of excellence on European racetracks.

Over the dates of August 16th and 17th, the company’s president & CEO Marc A. Hayek achieved the top podium at Silverstone, the famous British F1 track with the exciting 4th leg of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo championship held within its framework.

Mr. Hayek and his experienced co-driver Peter Kox successfully steered the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 No. 24 around Silverstone's high-speed curves, which every year bid the defiance to the world's top car and MOTO GP racers. They came in first, making their worthy competitors lag behind.

Mr Hayek was particularly happy about the victory at Silverstone, for he dedicated much of his spare time to improving his skills behind the wheel. The energetic CEO of Blancpain truly enjoyed the competitive spirit of the championship. He also considered a fast and demanding race course to be very stimulating.

In the course of the event both men exposed on their wrists the elegant novel Blancpain Super Trofeo Chronograph watch, which made its original appearance at Baselworld 2009. This watch adapts its sporty shape and design attributes from the shape and interior features inherent to a Lamborghini Gallardo car.

The hidden bridges of the extremely slim F185 chronograph movement coordinate well with the black DLC finishing of the case. The backside of the watch reveals a sapphire crystal exhibition window with a view into the movement.

This acclaimed chronograph caliber is controlled by a friction-reducing vertical clutch in conjunction with an iconic column wheel. The chronograph function with its efficient flyback mechanism enables the wearer to record successive intervals of elapsed time.

The final legs of the 2009 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Championship will occur at Catalunya in Spain on September 18th through September 20th, as well as on the Paul Ricard track in France from October 2nd through October 4th.
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At Baselworld 2009, Blancpain has proudly premiered new sophisticated timepieces to enlarge the brand’s highly successful L-Evolution collection.

The Blancpain L-Evolution Moon Phase 8 Jours watch demonstrates a newly designed case, measuring 43.5mm in diameter. It has a modular construction to allow the watch owner detach the lugs and in no time substitute a strap or a bracelet. The case is crafted in 18K red gold or stainless steel. It incorporates a screw-down winding crown and boasts 100-meter water-resistance.

The peculiarity of the timepiece is the complete calendar with moon phase complication. The moon phase complication significantly contributed to the revival of mechanical watchmaking in the 1980s and helped Blancpain win the hearts of fine mechanisms’ lovers. read more

But you would find no modern wristwatch in the collection up until now! Blancpain, the oldest watch brand in the world, has been privileged to become an ambassador of the art of contemporary watchmaking in the Palace Museum. The Manufacture has been invited to display the first and only present-day wristwatch within the walls of the Museum read more

The renowned watch-making house Blancpain has opted for the opulent area of the Cannes Boat Show in order to introduce its novel dive timepiece, the 500 Fathoms watch, which is regarded as a sensation in the world of horology. This diving model boasts 1000-meter water-resistance, a completely new feature for the line-up, manufactured by Blancpain.

The release of this exceptional water timepiece, which is everything both fans and collectors can expect from Blancpain in terms of craftsmanship, implies the brand’s entry into the world of acclaimed professional watches intended for divers.

Distinguished by features like a unidirectionally rotating luminous bezel as well as a helium release valve, extremely important for a dive watch, the Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch exposes the core of its structure to be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back display. It refers to the automatic Blancpain-made 1315 caliber, which includes a set of necessary technical components.

The range of technical details embraces a freely-sprung balance wheel with regulating screws, a date display, which can be safely moved forwards or backwards, avoiding the risk of damage to the mechanism, as well as a system of three serially operating mainspring barrels, ensuring a lengthy 5-day power reserve.

The movement excellence is just as well mirrored in its sophisticated decorative finishing, crowned by a special centrally-mounted winding rotor, performed in the shape of a boat propeller.

The watch-making company Blancpain will launch the 500 Fathoms Cannes Boat Show watch as limited series of 20 pieces. The 48mm titanium case of every single Blancpain watch issued will be individually numbered.

The model is accompanied by a nautical canvas strap, exposing a rubber lining, characterized by water- and perspiration-resistance. The rugged yet very attractive strap is finished with an elegant folding clasp.



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The new Blancpain purely white interpretation of its instantly-recognizable Fifty Fathoms makes one feel its distinctively innovative spirit. The white unidirectional rotating bezel crafted in scratch-resistant sapphire keeps the watch's owner away from accidentally prolonging the dive time. read more

For St. Valentine’s Day, Swiss luxury watchmaker Blancpain annually creates a limited edition ladies’ watch paying tribute to pure love. Blancpain St. read more

For the 9th year in a row, Blancpain has participated in the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious international yachting events, inspired by its historical ties with the maritime world and an art of living shared with sea-lovers from all over the world.

Blancpain has been honored to welcome H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco aboard Over The Rainbow, restored by the much-regretted Jean-Michel Folon. The remarkable event has also been joined by Pierre Frolla and Gianluca Genoni, holders of several world freediving records.

As a part of the event, Blancpain has offered its support to an action organized in order to raise awareness of the marine fauna and flora among generations to follow. For 50 young pupils from the region, Blancpain has offered a special diving course to last for a week and to be taught by l'Ecole Bleue. With freediver Pierre Frolla in the head, the Monaco-based association works to educate the public, raising awareness of the importance of coastal and underwater areas.

The Monaco Yacht Show '08 has been highlighted by Blancpain unveiling its traditional limited edition timepiece specifically dedicated to the Principality. The Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph, an exclusive all-white edition, has been created in a limited number of just 20 pieces. The pristine white dial of the elegant chronograph watch proudly reveals the Monaco coat-of-arms.

The top-rate Blancpain chronograph is destined for sailing and water sports fans, not to mention collectors and connoisseurs of unique timekeeping creations.
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The brushed DLC-coated (Diamons Like Carbon) steel case of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph measures 45 mm in diameter. It offers an advantage of 300-meter water-resistance. read more

Blancpain, the oldest watch brand in the world, highly respected for its pioneering spirit and remarkable mechanical expertise, has announced its collaboration with the iconic luxury car-producer, Lamborghini. The partners are closely united by the themes of speed and exclusive mechanics.

The partnership between the companies was sealed in a special ceremony held on October 25th 2008 at the last DTM Grand Prix of the season on the Hockenheim race track in Germany.

The Blancpain-Lamborghini dynamic union is devoted to the technical performances and distinguished aesthetics of the two manufacturers who base their art on tradition and innovation.

The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo is aimed at motor sports fans, setting the stage for the latest gleaming Gallardo LP560-4 speed machines ready to compete in the fastest and most demanding mono-brand championship.

Starting from Mai 2009, thirty high-powered cars featuring the Blancpain-Lamborghini colors will join the competion on the finest racing tracks in Europe. With 570 HP, 540 N/m and high speeds of over 300 km/h, when you are at the wheel of such a car, it is not just a race against the clock - it is a true challenge to time itself!
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Blancpain, one of the oldest watch brands in the world, is proud to invite all its fans and connoisseurs of exclusive Watchmaking to its new Boutique in Switzerland. This is already the second store of the brand in the country.

The new Boutique is located on the corner of Zurich's renowned Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz. It represents a two-floor 100 square-meter store inviting its visitors to see the exclusive displays of the Blancpain watch collections.

Blancpain Boutiques in Switzerland are an embodiment of the philosophy of the Manufacture in Le Brassus, a village at the far end of the Lac de Joux. Visitors of the stores will be able to feel the same spirit that prevails in the workshops of Blancpain master-watchmakers.

The interior design of the new boutique has been created by a skilled cabinetmaker from the Vallee de Joux. It is inspired by the regional heritage and the Blancpain horological know-how accumulated during the past 270 years.
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