Back in 2012, Blancpain rolled out the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar, a beast of a watch that combined Chinese and Gregorian calendars with a side of moon phase action, to mark the Year of the Dragon. Fast forward a dozen years, and Blancpain’s latest take on this intricate calendar watch is decked out in red gold, flaunting a slick green enamel dial for the first time.
The Villeret collection is home to some excellent calendar complications, but the Traditional Chinese Calendar takes the cake. It took Blancpain five whole years to perfect this timepiece, melding two calendars into one watch. In China, they use a lunisolar calendar for festivals, based on the Sun’s moves and the Moon’s phases, while the Gregorian calendar handles the day-to-day. Balancing those solar and lunar years is like a cosmic dance, and Blancpain cracked the code with an extra ‘intercalary’ month.
The white dial was left behind for a Grand Feu enamel green, making a lovely contrast. The date on the edge is marked by a snaky gold hand. Hours are laid out with gold Roman numerals and dots at 12, 3, and 9, while 6 o’clock boasts a moon phase with a smirking golden moon.
Three sub-dials in Mandarin relay the information on the Chinese calendar. The 45.20mm case hides five secret adjusters, and inside, the powerhouse calibre 3638 keeps it ticking. With 464 components and a 7-day power reserve, this timepiece runs at 4 Hz with a silicon balance spring.
Completing the watch are the details of the traditional finishings and the red gold rotor rocking a Wood Dragon engraving and a red ruby. Limited to 50 pieces, the watch will set you back RM 301,700. Register your interest here.