Since the 1980’s the complete calendar moonphase timepieces have been a signature for the Blancpain brand. The design of the timepiece is marvelous, showcasing the day of the week and month in windows, and the date is detailed by an accented blued serpentine shaped hand. The moon phase sits at 6 o’clock, and is an elegant and classic arrangement that has been extremely successful for the brand and takes the style of vintage watches.
The addition of the GMT function elevates the timepiece to a high complication and the calendar indications are set to local time using the principal hands, home time is indicated with a red tipped hand, making it a perfect companion for the travelers. When the brand was sold to Jacques Piguet and Jean-Claude Biver is when the strides were made in complete calendar timepieces and has continued with the introduction of these complications as part of the Villeret Collection. Innovation developed after the original version created the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Complet GMT Watch. The timepiece was crafted in a red gold version that is exquisite with an opaline dial and a stainless steel version that has been designed with a white dial and white gold applied Roman indexes. Both of the timepieces feature subtle differences, for example the red gold version has applied red gold Roman hour indices and red gold hour and minute hands and the stainless features the white.
Both of the watches are created with a 40mm diameter case and the traditional Villeret double stepped bezel, water resistant up to 30m and alligator straps and or metal bracelets. A very unique feature of these timepieces is the absence of any correctors on the case flanks. The brand in-house movement features a silicium balance spring with superior anti-magnetic and timing precision properties. Normally the complete calendar watches utilize correctors for adjusting the calendar complications, but the Villeret Quantieme Complet GMT has discreet correctors that are situated under the lugs. This design offers a classic legible look and completely smooth case flanks.
The Blancpain GMT was designed for those timepiece lovers who also have a love of travel and provides them the elegance on their wrist that is also a precision timepiece. The watch consists of 286 components, 6mm thick and possesses a 72 hour long power reserve. Decorated with Cotes de Genève, polished screw heads, a solid gold rotor and shown through a sapphire display caseback. Timepieces are more than a clock on the wrist, and this watch stands to show everyone why.
