blancpain limited editions

Topping the pyramid of Blancpain's Basel 2010 new releases is the Carrousel R��p��tition Minutes Le Brassus. This grand complication, for the first time in watch*** history, combines a flying one-minute carrousel and a cathedral gong minute repeater. Few in the watch*** industry are able to offer the minute repeater complication and of those only a handful have developed their own minute repeater movement. Since the late 80s, Blancpain has developed and steadily produced not one but two different minute repeater movements. In 2010, Blancpain changes that total to three, with the introduction of the Carrousel R��p��tition Minutes Le Brassus.This entirely new grand complication showcases a host of exclusive Blancpain innovations. The minute repeater features a cathedral gong striking mechanism, meaning that its sounding rings are extra long, circling the movement one and a half times to produce superior richness in the sound. The transmission of sound from the movement through the case remains a classic challenge for minute repeater developers. Blancpain has met that challenge by attaching the cathedral gong rings to the inside of the case, a solution which achieves industry leading volume and clarity. Further enhancing the performance of the repeater, Blancpain has developed a special flying regulator for the movement.Historically repeaters have been vulnerable to damage if the owner attempts to change the time while the repeater is engaged and sounding. An innovation addresses this problem; actuation of the repeater disconnects the mechanism from the crown, thus eliminating the risk of damage if the crown is manipulated. As befits such a complicated movement, the red gold movement bridges and mainplate are individually hand engraved.The heart of this new Le Brassus timepiece is Blancpain's one minute flying carrousel, which established a multitude of world firsts when it was introduced two years ago, including the world's first one minute carrousel, first flying carrousel and first carrousel in a wristwatch.This unique combination of carrousel and minute repeater debuts in a 45mm red gold case with a brushed white gold chapter ring and red gold applied numerals. The combination of an opened dial center and sapphire case back allows a perfect view of the complex minute repeater mechanism and hand carving of the movement bridges.

Thankfully we are no where near Valentine’s day – yet. The oft-hyped holiday strikes fear into the hearts of many men poised with the daunting task of offering their mate not only the perfect gift, but the perfect day. Swiss Blancpain gives men another reason to worry with the 2011 version of their “Saint Valentin” watch for Valentine’s day. The 2011 watch is very classic in style, and even the iconic Blancpain features are subdued. The watch is a triple calendar style with moon phase. Meaning it has an annual calendar complication, the time with a subsidiary seconds dial, and a smiling moon phase indicator.The watch is mostly white in tone, with a 35mm wide steel case, bezel lined with 49 diamonds, more diamonds on the mother-of-pearl dial, and two hearts. No Valentine’s day watch can resist the inclusion of red hearts! The first is used as the hand on the date indicator dial on the watch face, and other other is a bit higher-end on the luxury scale being a heart-shaped ruby located on the bezel at the 12 o’clock position.Blancpain includes their in-house made Calibre 6763 automatic movement that is visible through the sapphire caseback window. A watch like this feels like a men’s model turned femme – which inherently it is. The watch doesn’t exclude girliness, but it rather a stately gift for a mature and sophisticated woman (that has a penchant for fine mechanical watches). Blancpain will make only 99 pieces of this 2011 Saint Valentin watch and it should be available early next year. Interestingly enough, it comes in a box that is little locked treasure chest. There is an accompanying white gold heart (wearing a corset) that is opened to reveal the key. Personally I would want a written letter from her saying that whatever is in the box will satisfy her Valentine’s day expectations.