[Only Watch 2011] Blancpain Villeret Grande Décoration

Pifpaf

In the context ofthe partnership between www.watchonista.com and Only Watch, thecharity auction designed to collect funds to fight Myopathy, we willdiscover the finest «Only watches 2011» through a series ofreports.



Blancpainproposes its Villeret Extra-flat « Grande decoration» presentedduring BaselWorld 2011. Each of the 5 unique pieces alreadydiscovered are decorated after different themes depending on theversions, with France, Switzerland, China, Japan and Hong Kongrespectively.
Akinto the De Bethune (whose «DB25 Ciel Etoile» is dedicated to theconquest of «The Rock» by the Grimaldis), the Villeret Extra-Platefeatures the Prince’s Palace.
Besidesthe Monegasque theme, the decoration is unique, as it was manuallyengraved by Marie-Laure Tarbouriech, «Meilleure ouvriere de France»(best craftsman of France).
Thefinal result is best seen in full light, as it is in its movementwhere the subtlety of its details are revealed; The brass wheelsbring colors to the piece, thanks to the relatively open bridges(compared to the 15B movement presented at Only Watch 2007).



The15B caliber is seldom used by Blancpain. It was presented in 2007 atthe «Only Watch 2007», in a completely different version, thatbeing its skeleton dragon theme design. Moreover, it was fitted intoa pocket watch case.
Thiscaliber deserves our full attention on various levels with itsinteresting features: it is extra-flat, 1.9mm, and extra-wide, 16lines (36mm), very trendy.
Incontrast to its competing movements from the 50’-60’s, that areextra-flat but also extra-small, with diameters of around 10 lines.
Highlyjeweled for such a simple caliber, with 20 rubies, low frequency, the15B is technically similar to the pocket watch mechanisms.
Iregret that such an up-to-date movement is not to be found in theBlancpain classic line, however it will be even more exclusive forthe lucky owner.





Thedomed «grand feu» enameled dial is another reminder of the vintagepocket watches.
Becauseof poor lighting at Blancpain offices, the domed shape is difficultto see on the photos. Anyway, my attention was focused on theindicators.
Infact, the Roman numerals are hollowed, and if this kind of effect isrelatively easy to do on most surfaces, it is very difficult toachieve with lacquer on an enameled dial…
Youwill have noticed that most of the enameled dials are painted withfilled in numerals, which is already tricky to execute.
Theindicators match the red gold hands, that are shaped like hollowedsage leaves.
Thelegibility is preserved thanks to the big hands and indicators aswell as the immaculate white dial that is so open that it reminds meof a stadium spotlight.
Itis really the kind of enameled dial I wish I saw more often, withsubtle details but of extremely high-quality and a generous surfacethat makes room for the materials to be showcased.
Withthis watch, I realize that the enamel is better suited to largesurfaces, akin to the pocket watches, and that smaller diameters donot let the light shine at the center of the dial.



Thered gold case, unsurprisingly, is designed after the codes of theVilleret line. The «staircase» bezel is significantly attenuated,even better for its nay-sayers.
Thereal added value of this case is its height, 8.3mm, which creates avery smooth transition between faces and middles and gives the watcha terrific charm from its side view.
Togetherwith the Richard Milles RM033, it is one of the rare watches on themarket to feature an extra-flat architecture in a big format.
The«Paneristis», for example, will finally have a classic watch thatrespects the XL codes of the 2010 decade.



During«Only Watch», certain brands propose models or even calibers thatare totally or nearly ground-breaking.
Blancpain,by proposing an extremely rare watch with really personalizedfinishings, truly plays the game of the «Only Watch» charityauction .