Baselworld 2010, the annual watch festival in Switzerland marks the 275th anniversary of Blancpain since its founder, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, declared in 1735 his profession as a watchmaker on the village rolls of Villeret. He dedicated himself to watch making, starting with watch parts then, later, complete pocket watches. Over the succeeding centuries, generations of the Blancpain family took turn at the helm of this successful Swiss watch manufacturer.

Blancpain prided itself by producing each watch with single watchmaker from beginning to end, hence, only producing less than 10,000 pieces per year as they continually adhere to their slogan of never producing quartz watches; unlike Rolex which makes about 2,000 watches per day in their assembly line.

Blancpain is also held in high esteem for being the maker of one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever made, the Blancpain 1735, which combines the six grand complications (split-second chronograph, tourbillion, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar with phases of the moon) into one watch. It is a limited edition of 30 pieces only, production of just one piece a year which is truly a masterpiece that is a fitting tribute to the company’s founder.

Blancpain is also known for its Fifty-Fathoms, circa 1953, which is water resistant to 200 meters. It is selected by the United States Navy and worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau in his award winning film, “The World of Silence”.

Despite its numerous accolades over the years, Blancpain was nearly doomed to extinction with the influx of inexpensive quartz watches from Japan and China during the early 1970s. Thanks to the intervention of Jean-Claude Biver that the company was reestablished in 1983 and put on the path to recovery.

In 1984, Blancpain launched the world’s smallest movement, followed in 1989 by the launch of the world’s thinnest movement and in 992 the company was acquired by Swatch Group wherein Biver headed the board. His strategy was a success as Blancpain’s credo remains rooted in a deep respect for tradition and contemporary values.

Shunning compromise — by mastering every complication, by refusing ever to manufacture a quartz watch, and by expressing time only in the shape of a circle — and being totally committed to excellence.

The Le Brassus GMT (4276-3642-55BDA) embodies the traditions by which Blancpain has remained one of the pioneers in the industry – exquisite craftsmanship, accuracy, dedication to excellence, and classic design.

Respected for their genius in luxury watch engineering, Blancpain is renowned for making the most complicated watches in the world.  The Le Brassus GMT is powered by the 67A6 caliber with a power reserve of 100 hours.  The self-winding movement is enhanced with intricate “Cotes de Geneve” decors on the bridges and angled edges.

The silvered opaline dial features the day of the week and month on the upper portion of the dial similar to its traditional models during the 1940s and 1950s. On the other hand, a crescent-tipped hand moves around to indicate the day of the month.  Moreover, a red-tipped hand allows the wearer a peak at a second time zone.  On the lower portion, the moonphase display completes the harmony of the model’s functions and complications.

With its traditional complications, the Blancpain Le Brassus GMT (4276-3642-55BDA) is made especially for those who prefer the combination of simple elegance with ingenuity and innovation.  Made only for men, it features a 42-mm rose gold case with stepped up bezel.  For those who prefer a bit more opulence, the model comes with a variant in platinum with a military black dial and a bezel adorned with sparkling luxurious diamonds.

The Le Brassus GMT is the perfect example of Blancpain’s commitment to remain true to its traditional values.  And true enough, Blancpain has not wavered as it continues to produce only mechanical watches crafted only by delicate human hands.  There is no doubt that the oldest watchmaker in the world will move on further in the next century maintaining its integrity and traditional principles as it delivers the most exquisite timepieces to the world.

The Blancpain Leman Dual Time Model # 2860-1127-53B (2860.1127.53B) is part of the Leman series of watches that salute Lake Leman, better known as Lake Geneva.  Established in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland, Blancpain watches have become the standard of traditional luxury watch making.

With each of fewer than 10,000 pieces produced annually being made individually by a single watch maker from start to finish, one knows that his watch received personal attention and loving care.

The stainless steel 40 mm case of the Blancpain Leman Dual Time Model # 2860-1127-53B (2860.1127.53B) is the traditional round shape and is carried by a black leather Crocodile strap with a deployant buckle.  The self-winding automatic movement is water resistant to 100 meters.

The white dial of the Blancpain Leman Dual Time 2860-1127-53B (2860.1127.53B) features Arabic numerals that are outlined with a luminous material, as are the skeletonized hands.  The date window is at the 3 o’clock, the small seconds sub-dial at the 6 o’clock, the second time clock at the 12 o’clock and the sun or moon shows through the window located at the 9 o’clock position.

It is all tastefully covered by a scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal.  Elegance, class and style are the messages that this watch sends out to anyone who sees it.  It is the perfect blend of functionality and style.

Famous for being the oldest watchmaker in the world and making one of the most complicated watches in the world, Blancpain remains true to its roots by keeping the traditions that have made it a premier luxury timepiece manufacturer.  Its commitment to classic traditions is clearly evident in the Leman Aqua Lung Large Date (2850B-3630A-64B) with its round 40-mm ultra slim case in 18kt rose gold with a simple black dial.

The Blancpain Leman Aqua Lung Large Date is known for its patented engineering solution that makes it impervious to water.  The watch is driven by the 283 components of Blancpain Calibre 6950 with a mechanical self-winding movement and a 70-hour power reserve.  The mechanism’s intricate Côtes de Genève decorative motifs, bevelled bridges, blued screws and oscillating weight engraved with the name ‘Blancpain’ in blue is clearly visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.  It is equipped with a screw-locked crown and guaranteed water-resistant up to 100 meters.

The Blancpain Aqua Lung has features common to all Leman watches.  These include the two-tiered bezel, hands with openings to prevent obstruction, and large Arabic numerals and indices for hour markers for increased legibility.  This specific model (2850B-3630A-64B) sports a black dial with a double window at the 6 o’clock position indicating the date in large Arabic numbers.  The watch is secured to the wrist with a black rubber strap with a folding clasp.

Blancpain was fonded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in Villeret, Switzerland.  This manufacturer of fine watches has become the standard for traditional watch making.  Credited with never creating a quartz movement or digital display for their timepieces, it remains solid and true to the art of luxury watch making.

Leman series was created to salute Lake Leman, more commonly known as Lake Geneva.  The Blancpain Leman Alarm GMT Model # 2041-1127M-53BDA includes many functions, including a 24 hour dual time complication and an alarm.

The 40 mm stainless steel case of the Blancpain Leman Alarm GMT Model # 2041-1127M-53BDA holds the automatic self-winding movement which can be seen through a scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal case back.  It features a 100 hour power reserve and is complemented by the dark blue strap and its complementary stainless steel deployant buckle.  It is water resistant to 100 meters.

The white dial of the Blancpain Leman Alarm GMT Model # 2041-1127M-53BDA features a power reserve , Date window, alarm, 24 hour dual time sub-dial, and a small seconds sub-dial.  The GMT function allows you to know at a glance the time anywhere in the world.  For the travelling man who likes style and elegance, this timepiece is a perfect choice.

In 1735, Blancpain was founded in Villeret Switzerland.  They are thought of as the watch maker that leads the way in complicated timepieces with the finest mechanical movements in this industry.  This brand has never created a timepiece that uses a quartz movement or a digital display.

Uniquely, the 10,000 watches created annually are each made by a single watch maker from start to finish.  The Blancpain Full Moon Hunter’s Luxury Watch Limited Edition of 200 pcs Model # 4563-1542-55B (4563-1542-55B) is a credit to this manufacturer.

This beautiful half hunter timepiece is part of the Villeret collection, named after the birthplace of this company.  The 18 K white gold case of the Blancpain Full Moon Hunter’s Watch Limited Edition of 200 pcs Model # 4563-1542-55B (4563-1542-55B) measures 39 mm and surrounds the silver guilloche dial.  This hand-worked dial features a triple date complication.

The outer rim of the dial uses Arabic numerals for the date.  Side-by-side windows show the day of the week and the month of the year.  The moon phase seconds register sub-dial is located at the 6 o’clock position.  The white gold hands mark the automatic movement with white gold stick indicators being used for markers.

The 18 K white gold Hunter’s cover on the case of the Blancpain Full Moon Hunter’s Watch Limited Edition of 200 pcs Model # 4563-1542-55B (4563-1542-55B) is complemented by the black Crocodile bracelet with its 18 K white gold folding clasp.  It is the perfect men’s watch to be worn anywhere.

Although Blancpain was founded in 1735 in Villaret, Switzerland, it now has its headquarters in Brassus.  This manufacturer of fine watches has become the leading watch maker of complicated timepieces that utilize the finest mechanical movements.  They have set the standard for the art of traditional watch making.

Their attention to detail is highlighted by the fact that each of the fewer than 10,000 pieces made annually, each one is taken from beginning to end by a single watch maker.  The Blancpain Orchidee Ladies’ Collection Model # 3253-6044A-52BDA (3253.6044A.52BDA) is an elegant ladies’ luxury watch.

This beautiful 18 K white gold case{##34##} measures a demure 34 mm in diameter.  The grey fabric strap sits smoothly on the feminine wrist and complements this slender ladies’ watch.  The automatic movement is self-winding.  Perhaps the most striking detail that is first noticed on the Blancpain Orchidee Ladies’ Collection Model # 3253-6044A-52BDA (3253.6044A.52BDA) is the individually set diamonds on each side of the case.

The guilloche dial is grey to match the bracelet, and an outer ring of blue Arabic numerals to mark the date is contrasted by the inner blue mother of pearl square that features a minute track.  The mother or pearl square of the Blancpain Orchidee Ladies’ Collection Model # 3253-6044A-52BDA (3253.6044A.52BDA) also features a day and month display that is cleverly integrated into the square.  The hours are marked by elegantly styled Roman numerals.

At the six o’clock position one will find the phases of the moon, which features a distinctly feminine human face with a tiny star-shaped ‘beauty spot.’ Any woman will look like a queen with this elegant, diamond studded timepiece on her wrist.

Jehan-Jacques Blancpain founded the company with his name in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland.  This manufacturer was the first to ring an automatic luxury watch to the French market.  Their timepieces embody the finest mechanical movements anywhere in the watch making industry.

Blancpain produces only about 10,000 pieces annually, and each timepiece is assembled by a single watch maker from beginning to end.  The Blancpain Half Hunter Moon Phase Calendar in Rose Gold Model # 4563-3630-55 (4563.3630.55) is part of the Villeret series, named after the town where this company began.

The 39 mm 18 K rose gold case of the Blancpain Half Hunter Moon Phase Calendar in Rose Gold Model # 4563-3630-55 (4563.3630.55) has the hunter-style cover and is complemented with a brown Crocodile strap that uses an 18 K gold clasp. The automatic movement features a triple date complication.

Within the case of the Blancpain Half Hunter Moon Phase Calendar in Rose Gold Model # 4563-3630-55 (4563.3630.55) is contained the stunning black guilloche dial.  The handwork on this dial is exquisite.  The outer circle features Arabic numerals showing the days of the month, with a slender hand pointing to them.  The day of the week and month of the year windows are side by side, and the Moon phase small seconds sub-dial is located at the 6 o’clock position.  This elegant watch is eye-catching and will look elegant on any man’s wrist.

Class, style, and complications that are superb are part of the trademark of Blancpain.  Established in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland, this company is considered the leading watch maker of complicated timepieces that utilize the finest mechanical movements in the watch making industry.

Each of the less than 10,000 pieces created annually is assembled by a single watch maker from beginning to end.  The Blancpain Leman Platinum Tourbillon Split Second Chronograph Model # 2189F-3427-63B is a stunning watch that features a tourbillon complication.

The platinum case measures 38 mm and the streamlined black leather strap with its matching platinum folding clasp complete the elegant look.  The self-winding automatic movement is water resistant to 80 meters.  The movement uses a flyback chronograph which is another amazing complication.  This allows one to time two activities that happen at the same time but take different lengths of time to occur.

The white dial includes the outer split-second markings using Arabic numerals.  The subdial  of the Blancpain Leman Platinum Tourbillon Split Second Chronograph Model # 2189F-3427-63B at the 12-oclock position features gold-applied Roman numerals for the hours.  Subdials for the flyback chronograph complication and the sub-seconds are at the 3 and 9 o’clock position, and the Tourbillon complication is visible at the 6 o’clock position.  With all of these features, this timepiece is perfect for the sportsman or the gentleman.

The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 is made up of brushed steel with Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating that matches perfectly with its carbon fiber dial. The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is the first among Blancpain chronographs to utilize a tachymeter scale.

The sporty appearance of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is further enhanced by its stealthy black design. The monotony is broken by its illuminated orange roman Arabic numeral hour indicators and rotating bezel that are also matched with the orange stitches on its stealthy black strap.

This Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph houses a self-winding F185 movement that is comprised of 308 handmade components that were perfected by the tradition and expertise of Blancpain luxury watchmakers. This Caliber F185 when fully wound, will be able to run for approximately 40 hours. Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is boasting a flyback function that allows non-stop rapid timing sequences. The chronograph function has a 12 & 30 minute hour counter and a continuously running small second display.

A perfectly crafted mechanical interior is not the only reason why the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 should be purchased. The mixture of both magnificent engineering and work of art makes the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph an astonishing luxury piece for the owner’s wrist.