Blancpain, one of the heavyweights of luxury watchmaking, introduced a new model dedicated to the Traditional Chinese Calendar.
The Traditional Chinese Calendar occupies an important place among the rare watch models of Swiss watchmaking, which often turn into a visual feast. These watches prepared exclusively for China, which continues to be an important market for luxury watches, push the limits of not only horology but also craftsmanship and materials. This year, China celebrates the Year of the Water Rabbit according to its traditional calendar. Blancpain, which has been making Traditional Chinese Calendar-themed models since 2012, continues the tradition with its new Water Rabbit-themed model, which symbolizes longevity, prosperity, and peace.
The new model comes with a Grade 950 platinum case designed with a diameter of 45.2mm and a height of 15.1mm. Sapphire crystals serve on the front and back sides of the case, which is likely to display a very imposing stance on the wrist with its size and 23mm lug width. The elegant case, featuring completely glossy surfaces, hosts a winding crown decorated with a cabochon-cut ruby.
The new model sports a white-background enamel dial produced with the Grand Feu technique. Chinese zodiac calendar symbols are accompanied by day and month information in Chinese characters. The small opening below the dot at 12 o'clock reveals a picture of a rabbit (a different animal from the Chinese zodiac can be chosen as one of the functions of the crown). Time is read with Roman numeral indexes made of white gold. Gregorian calendar dates are easily visible around the white enamel dial. Three sub-dials with Chinese hieroglyphs painted in black enamel are dedicated exclusively to Mandarin speakers.
Just below the zodiac signs at 12 o'clock is a small sub-dial with double hours in numbers and symbols over 24 hours. The sub-dial at 9 o'clock provides information about the months and lunar days with a small hole that turns red when the year has a 13th intercalary month. The third sub-dial at 3 o'clock shows the five elements (wood, earth, fire, water, and metal) and the ten celestial branches with yin and yang symbols in the middle.
The new model is powered by the Caliber 3638 movement, designed and produced by Blancpain as a result of a 5-year R&D process. The 39 jewels movement, consisting of 464 parts in total, works at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph). The extraordinary movement, which we can call the modified version of the Perpetual Calendar complication to display the Traditional Chinese Calendar, offers a power reserve time of 168 hours/7 days thanks to its triple series barrel system. The movement, which is wound by a rotor decorated with a pair of bunnies, can be watched with pleasure through the sapphire crystal display case back.
The model, which will be limited to only 50 pieces, comes on a black alligator strap and a folding clasp made of Grade 950 platinum.
