Continuing a custom that began in 2012, Blancpain is unveiling the latest edition of its Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar. Designed to mark the transition from the water tiger to the water rabbit on 22nd January 2023, the Blancpain Villret Traditional Chinese Calendar pays homage to Chinese traditions by housing the nation’s lunisolar calendar alongside the Gregorian calendar.
You’ll also enjoy:
Seiko Celebrates 110 Years Of Watchmaking By Reintroducing The Seminal Laurel Wristwatch
Zenith Asserts Its Position As The King Of Chronographs With The DEFY Extreme Double Tourbillion
Rolex Wins The Race To The Bottom With The All-Titanium Deepsea Challenge
The Blancpain Viellret Traditional Chinese Calendar has a similar level of complexity as the classic perpetual calendar and is produced in the Grand Complications workshop of the Manufacture in Le Brassus, Switzerland. Combining eastern and western dating systems, the white grand feu enamel dial features the dates of the Gregorian calendar on the periphery, with a striking blued steel serpentine hand indicating the correct date.




Meanwhile, three subdials with Chinese calendar information — including double hours, day and month as well as leap months, the signs of the zodiac, and five elements — are printed in Mandarin using black enamel. At 12 o’clock, there’s an aperture window revealing a picture of a water rabbit, with the option to change this to another zodiac sign using the crown. The moonphase, a signature Blancpain complication, appears at 6 o’clock and informs the months of the Chinese calendar. The Roman hour numerals are applied to the dial in white gold, the same metal as the hour and minute hands which are shaped like sage leaves.
The double-stepped case of the Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar remains faithful to its predecessors. Crafted from platinum, it measures in at 45mm. Flip it over and you’ll find the calibre 3638 automatic movement visible through the sapphire glass caseback; its gold oscillating weight is engraved with a pair of water rabbits to represent this year’s zodiac sign. According to Blancpain, the duo of water rabbits are said to inspire gentleness and trust, notions which emanate from their refined, perceptive, and diplomatic nature.
The Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar is limited to just 50 examples and is priced at $89,360AUD.
Words by AR Staff