The famous China Garden in Zurich, a gift from the
city of Kunming, was the setting chosen by Blancpain for its
presentation of this world première. During the evening, the many guests
enjoyed a chance to discover an interpretation of time different from
that generally envisioned in the West. The wealth of this technical and
cultural diversity, as well as a distinctive form of artistic expertise,
are admirably expressed in this new horological masterpiece.
Water is one of the five elements in Chinese
culture, and it was thus on the small island in the centre of the
garden’s ornamental pond that Blancpain President & CEO Marc A.
Hayek testified to the technical feats inherent in the new timepiece and
revealed the origins of this accomplishment: “It represents the
culmination of five years of research, development and reflection on the
history of Blancpain in China.” There could thus have been no finer
showcase for this presentation than Zurich’s China Garden, one of the
finest of its kind in the world.
The complexity of the new Calendrier Chinois
Traditionnel watch, based on the moon, stems as much from the number of
indications to be displayed as from the irregular nature of their
cycles. As part of the event, well-known contemporary Chinese writer and
television commentator, Leung Man Tao, provided insight into the
importance of the moon and its influence on the Earth, as well as the
age-old fundamental principles of reading and interpreting time that are
profoundly rooted in Chinese culture.
Throughout the evening, invitees were immersed in
the Chinese universe through the cuisine, the particularly beautiful
decoration, and the various artistic demonstrations. As befits a
language that has no alphabet but instead several thousands of
characters formed by lines or strokes, a calligrapher was on hand to
transcribe guests’ wishes. An enamelling specialist from the Manufacture
Blancpain was also present on this occasion.
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In addition to the many national or international
guests, a delegation from Kunming had flown in for the event. The list
of well-known figures in attendance included famous German actor Erol
Sander, motor-racing driver Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis, Mrs Nayla
Hayek, Chair of the Swatch Group Board of Directors and Chinese artists
Feng Yuan Zheng and his wife Guo Jingjing.
Blancpain - VILLERET Calendar Chinese Traditionnel Limited Edition
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Blancpain presents a
world-exclusive version of the first wristwatch equipped with a
traditional Chinese calendar. The Manufacture in Le Brassus thereby
wishes to honour this age-old culture of which the modern-day
representatives show a keen interest in haute horlogerie, by
introducing a useful yet symbolic model that is destined to take its
rightful place among the ranks of the finest horological achievements.
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The Traditional Chinese Calendar watch by Blancpain is based on fundamental principles established for millennia and profoundly rooted in Chinese tradition. On its fascinating dial, the hours, minutes and the Gregorian calendar rub shoulders with the main indications of the Chinese calendar: traditional double-hour indication, day, month with indication of leap months, signs of the zodiac, as well as the five elements and the 10 celestial stems.
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The combination of the latter with the 12 animals of the zodiac that represent the terrestrial branches follows the sixty-year cycle that is central to Chinese culture. The moon phases, a key element in Blancpain complete calendars, are also presented and play a particularly important role in this model, given the link between the lunar cycle and traditional Chinese months.
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Contrary to the Gregorian solar calendar which uses the solar day as the base unit, the traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning a solar calendar with the lunar cycle (29.53059 days) as its base unit. Since a year comprising 12 lunar months (354.36707 days) is approximately 11 days too short compared with the tropical or solar year (365.242374 days), a leap month is sometimes added to preserve the match with the cycle of the seasons.
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Given that each month of the Chinese calendar, including the leap months, begins on the day of the new moon, its length is either 29 or 30 days. This means that when a year comprises a leap month, this 13-month year will be longer than the tropical year. On the contrary, when there is no leap month, the year of 12 lunar months is shorter than the tropical year. This distinctive feature is the reason behind the variable date of the Chinese New Year.
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The new self-winding Calibre 3638 powering this watch is endowed with a 7-day power reserve, despite the presence of 434 parts including 39 jewels.
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Its complexity stems as much from the number of indications to be displayed as from the irregular nature of their cycles. The hours, minutes and the Gregorian calendar are presented in the centre. The counter at 12 o’clock indicates the double-hour numerals and symbols (24-hour cycle); while the one at 3 o’clock shows the elements and the celestial stems (10-year cycle).
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The month of the Chinese calendar (12-month cycle), its date (30-day cycle) and the leap month indicator appear at 9 o’clock, while a 12 o’clock aperture reveals the zodiac sign of the year in progress (12-year cycle); and the moon phases are displayed at 6 o’clock.
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The 45 mm-diameter platinum case is fitted with a crown adorned with a cabochon-cut ruby and comprises five integrated under-lug correctors serving to adjust the indications. It features the classic signature features of the Villeret collection: its double-stepped shape; a grand feu enamel dial with a chapter ring composed of gold appliques ,and indications transferred before the firing process; the main hands shaped like slightly hollowed leaves; and the blued steel Gregorian date pointer appearing in the traditional serpentine form.
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This 20-piece limited edition watch is equipped with a white gold oscillating weight, set with a Madagascar ruby and engraved with a dragon to celebrate the year 2012.
The Traditional Chinese Calendar watch is also available in a non-limited red gold version.
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Technical details
| Self winding | Yes |
| Date | Yes |
| Double window date indication | No |
| Automata | No |
| Case material | Platinum, oscillating weight and crown set with a Madagascar ruby // Red gold |
| Case thickness | 15.00 mm |
| Case diameter | 45.00 mm |
| Water resistance | 3.00 bar |
| Between horns | 23.00 mm |
| Sapphire back | Yes |
| Carat measurement | Yes |
| Dial | White grand feu enamel |
| Bracelet | Alligator lined with alzavel |
| Calibre | 3638 |
| Calibre thickness | 8.30 mm |
| Calibre diameter | 32.00 mm |
| Power reserve in hours | 168 |
| Power reserve indication | No |
| Jewels | 39 |
| Components | 463 |
| Limited edition | Yes |
| Remark | Yearly limited edition |
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