he Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel – Year of the Horse 2026, is a powerful demonstration of Blancpain’s savoir-faire. Back in 2012, Blancpain’s movement designers devoted five full years to develop the movement which comprises 469 components. Its complexity far exceeds that of a perpetual calendar and approaches that of a minute repeater.

This intricate construction is carried out in Blancpain’s Le Brassus grand complication workshop. It represents Blancpain’s mastery of calendar complications.

The calendar mechanism is powered by Blancpain’s calibre 3638 which achieves seven-day power reserve with three barrels. Nested in a 45.2 mm platinum case, paired with a salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel dial and white gold applied numerals, it is equipped with a silicon balance spring.

Created to mark the arrival of the Fire Horse on February 17th, 2026, this limited edition of 50 pieces introduces a new visual expression – a salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel dial, the first of its kind at Blancpain.

The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel thoroughly respects the classic signature elements defining the Villeret collection’s understated aesthetics: a round double-stepped case; a grand feu enamel dial with its chapter ring composed of gold appliques, and painted enamel indications transferred before the firing process; as well as the main hands shaped like slightly hollowed leaves. In addition, with the blued steel Gregorian date hand appearing in the traditional serpentine form, Blancpain recalls 18th century watchmaking tradition.

In China, time is traditionally measured through two parallel systems: the solar-based Gregorian calendar and the traditional Chinese calendar, a lunisolar system governed by the movements of both the sun and the moon. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese calendar is structured around lunar months. Its years may contain 12 or 13 months; months themselves may be 29 or 30 days; and leap months appear at irregular intervals. Layered onto this temporal framework are the cycles of the twelve zodiac animals, the five elements, and the dual forces of Yin and Yang, together forming a vast, interlocking 60-year cycle.

The mysticism of the Chinese calendar is displayed with an array of four dedicated hands, a window for the Zodiac, and a window for the leap month. Together these set out the Chinese hours (120 minutes in length); the 60-year cycle of the elements and Yin/Yang; the 12-year cycle of the Zodiac; the Chinese days, month and leap months. The Gregorian date is indicated via a traditional serpentine hand. Likewise, the moon phase is classically presented in a window at six o’clock.

When Blancpain first unveiled the Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel in 2012, it achieved a world first: the only wristwatch capable of displaying this ancient, living system while simultaneously integrating the Gregorian date and moon phase.

With no historical mechanism to draw upon, every solution had to be conceived from first principles. Despite its extraordinary complexity, the display remains remarkably legible:

• 12 o’clock: Chinese double hours and zodiac sign
• 3 o’clock: the five elements with Yin/Yang
• 6 o’clock: moon phase, a Blancpain signature since 1983
• 9 o’clock: Chinese lunar days and months, including leap month
• Around the dial: Gregorian date, indicated by a blue serpentine hand

Mechanical calendar movements require correctors to set and reset their indications. Blancpain’s ingenious solution places these correctors discreetly under the lugs, where they are easily accessible yet completely invisible when the watch is worn. The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel features five patented under-lug correctors, all operable with a fingertip, enabling rapid adjustment of the calendar indications.

The crown allows direct setting of the zodiac and elements within the 60-year cycle. Thanks to a fully secured and protected movement, all correctors can be activated safely at any time of day without risk of damage.

For 2026, Blancpain’s Métiers d’Art workshop has brought the Horse to life on the 22K gold, frosted and micro-textured winding rotor. It appears in full gallop, treading upon a flying swallow - a poetic reference to Tianma, the heavenly steed of Chinese imperial legend. The composition evokes speed, endurance, and unrestrained energy, qualities traditionally associated with the Fire Horse. A natural ruby and the Chinese characters for horse and fire complete the rotor, transforming a functional component into a symbolic artwork visible through the sapphire case back.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Ref. 0888 3432E 55B
• Movement: Blancpain Manufacture calibre 3638
• Functions: Hours, minutes, Chinese calendar (double hours, days and months – including leap month –, the five elements, Yin/Yang, zodiac signs), Gregorian date, moon phase
• Winding: Automatic
• Power Reserve: 168 hours (7 days), 3 barrels
• Dimensions: 32.00 x 8.30 mm
• Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
• Jewels: 39
• Components: 464
• Case: Platinum
• Crystal and Case Back: Sapphire crystal
• Water Resistance: 3 bar (30 metres)
• Diameter: 45.20 mm
• Thickness: 15.10 mm
• Lug to lug: 52.00 mm
• Lug width: 23.00 mm
• Dial: Salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel
• Hands: Leaf-shaped
• Indexes: 18 ct white gold
• Straps: Brown leather
• Buckle: Pin buckle
• Limited Edition: 50 pieces
• Price: 81,000 CHF
• Warranty: 5 years