Messages: 41210 Location: Washington, DC
Registered: November 2003
Basel 2011 – Blancpain Villeret Demi-Fuseau Horaire 8 Jours
Thu, 24 March 2011 09:08
Blancpain presents the first half-timezone model with 8-day power-reserve in the Villeret collection. This complication serves to adjust the second timezone on the watch in 30-minute increments and thus to ensure relaxed travel to countries with half-hour time differences*.(*India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Southern Australia and the Northern Territory, Newfoundland and Southeast Labrador in Canada, Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela, Marquesas Islands, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, Keeling Islands)
The new half-timezone model in the Villeret collection is equipped with the 5235DF calibre developed by the Manufacture Blancpain in le Brassus. This new 324-part self-winding movement features a triple series-coupled barrel system that ensures an autonomy of 8 days and guarantees its stable rating. The balance in titanium – a material light enough to enhance energy efficiency and resistant to changes in temperature – ensures remarkably precise operation adjusted by Blancpain’s micrometric screw system.
Fitted with an alzavel-lined alligator leather strap, the Villeret Half-Timezone 8 Days watch is housed in a 42mm case in white or red gold with a sapphire crystal case-back revealing the guilloché-worked oscillating weight. Its domed grand feu enamelled white dial is enhanced by painted hour-markers. It displays the reference time at 12 o’clock, the half-hour timezone in the centre, the day/night indication for the reference time at 9 o’clock, the date – which changes in step with the second timezone – at 6 o’clock, and the date change or timezone indication at 4 o’clock.
A pusher located on the head of the crown serves to select fast date correction or half-timezone adjustment mode. Correcting the reference time automatically modifies that of the second timezone. It is worth noting that the date correction is fully secured to avoid any risk of damage.
- Jorge Merino