Blancpain continues its tradition of blending Eastern and Western horological artistry with the release of the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025. This highly exclusive timepiece, limited to just 50 pieces, celebrates the transition into the Year of the Wood Snake on January 29, 2025. Featuring the Maison’s pioneering Chinese calendar complication and a host of exceptional details, this watch stands as a testament to Blancpain’s mastery of complex mechanical watchmaking.
Platinum Elegance Meets Grand Feu Enamel
For the first time, the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel pairs a platinum case with a green Grand Feu enamel dial. The 45.2mm case features Blancpain’s signature double-stepped design, combining timeless sophistication with the technical prowess required to house one of the most intricate movements in modern watchmaking. The green enamel dial, crafted using a painstaking artisanal process, provides a stunning canvas for the array of Chinese calendar indications.
Honoring the Symbolism of the Wood Snake
The Year of the Wood Snake is beautifully represented on the rotor, which features an intricately engraved snake motif. Crafted from 22K white gold with a frosted finish, the rotor also incorporates natural rubies and engraved Chinese characters for ‘serpent’ and ‘wood.’ Created in Blancpain’s Métiers d’Art workshop, this detail highlights the Maison’s dedication to cultural storytelling and meticulous craftsmanship.
A Fusion of Calendars and Timekeeping
Since its introduction in 2012, the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel has been celebrated for its groundbreaking mechanism that seamlessly integrates the Chinese calendar with the Gregorian system and moon phases. Powered by the Calibre 3638, the movement comprises 464 components and delivers an impressive seven-day power reserve, achieved through three barrels.
The dial presents a wealth of information with clarity and balance:
- Five Elements and Yin-Yang Cycle: Located at 3 o’clock.
- Chinese Days and Months: Displayed at 9 o’clock.
- Double Chinese Hours: Shown at 12 o’clock.
- Leap Month Information: Indicated through an aperture at 9 o’clock.
- Zodiac Sign of the Year: Revealed via an aperture at 12 o’clock.
Additional features include the Gregorian date, displayed by a serpentine hand, and Blancpain’s signature moon phase complication at 6 o’clock. Despite its complexity, the dial remains remarkably legible.
User-Friendly Adjustments
Blancpain’s patented under-lug correctors, introduced in 2005, allow wearers to adjust the calendar indications effortlessly without additional tools. Discreetly concealed beneath the lugs, these correctors enhance the watch’s streamlined aesthetic and practical usability, while a secure mechanism prevents damage during automatic calendar transitions.
Technical Specifications
- Reference: 0888 3432C 55B
- Case: Platinum, 45.2mm diameter
- Double-stepped design
- Water Resistance: 3 bar (30 meters)
- Dial: Green Grand Feu enamel
- Movement: Calibre 3638
- 464 components, 7-day power reserve
- Functions: Chinese and Gregorian calendars, moon phase, zodiac, leap month
- Rotor: 22K white gold with engraved snake motif and natural ruby
- Strap: Chocolate brown alligator leather
A Timeless Masterpiece
The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 exemplifies Blancpain’s pioneering spirit and dedication to blending cultural heritage with horological innovation. By uniting the symbolism of the Chinese zodiac with the precision of Swiss craftsmanship, this limited-edition timepiece offers collectors a unique way to celebrate the lunar new year. For more information, visit Blancpain’s website.
