rawing its DNA from the village lined with green spruce trees to which it owes its name as well as from Blancpain’s expertise, the Villeret collection symbolises the value of authenticity. Its timeless nature embodies the strong ties between the Manufacture and the extraordinary complications of Swiss mechanical watchmaking.

True to this spirit, the complex perpetual calendar automatically adjusts the date display to take account of variations in months and years, including leap years. It represents a veritable mechanical memory that will require no adjustment until February 2100, a month that will not fall in a leap year because of an exception in the Gregorian calendar that occurs three centuries out of four.

At Blancpain, this type of mechanism also features a moon phase at 6 o’clock that is recognisable by its unique expression. The emblematic face of the Manufacture, it was also the symbol of prestige and mechanical watchmaking revival in the wake of the 1970s crisis, nurtured by Blancpain whose aim was to restore the reputation of this Art by proving it was truly irreplaceable.

The Brand’s introduction of moon phases paved the way for many other horological complications, not least the perpetual calendar. In this 2024 leap year, the Manufacture is once again demonstrating its expertise by unveiling its new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel model. It is driven by the 5954 self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve and of which the meticulous finishing, red gold honeycomb oscillating weight and silicon balance spring can be admired in full through the sapphire crystal case back.

This inherently complex perpetual calendar features two specific characteristics designed to make it eminently user-friendly. The first is a secure movement that protects the calendar mechanism from damage if the wearer adjusts the watch while the indications are changing. The second is the under-lug correctors. Introduced by Blancpain as a world first on a perpetual calendar in 2005, this patented system enables the calendar indications to be adjusted simply by pressing with a finger, thus eliminating any need for a correction tool. These under-lug correctors are concealed when the timepiece is worn, meaning the sides remain smooth and uncluttered, unaltered by the small “dimples” usually found on calendar watches.

These elements are complemented by the layout of the calendar indications. Despite the complexity of the mechanism (entirely developed and produced by Blancpain), the display of information is clearly spread across the dial, ensuring excellent legibility and aesthetic balance.

The colour adorning the elegant sunburst recalls the spruce forests of the Vallée de Joux, where this calendar is crafted by the watchmakers of the Grandes Complications workshop. The brown alligator leather strap evokes the bountiful generosity of this region that has fostered the development of watchmaking excellence over the decades. Completing the picture, the Villeret collection’s signature double-stepped case (40 mm) as well as the hands and hour-markers are in red gold, adding a contrasting touch to the pleasing aesthetic appeal of this timepiece glowing with warm colours.

Complex in its operation yet eminently easy to use, this new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel combining a green dial with a red gold case thus gives pride of place to the distinctive nature of 2024 as a leap year.