Founded in 1735, Blancpain is one of the oldest watch manufactures from the Vallée de Joux. Located down the road from Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Blancpain follows traditional watchmaking principles with sparks of modern creativity and innovation to maintain themselves as one of the top Swiss watch brands. Fueled by the brand's DNA, classicism and refinement are the exact words that describe the new Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde, reasserting Blancpain's attachment to authentic horological values.

Keeping the signature aesthetics of the Villeret collection, the Grande Date Jour Rétrograde features the usual double stepped —double pomme— bezel, a thin case profile and elegant understated hands and indexes. Equipped with a stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter, the clean lines of its case design remain unmarred by calendar adjustments requiring correctors set on the casebands. Alternatively, the case features Blancpain’s patented exclusive under-lug correctors. Therefore, neither calendar indication requires a pusher or tool, as the day of the week can be set with a fingertip via a hidden corrector underneath the lugs and the date adjusted via the crown.

Things to Know About the Watch

Also available in 18K red gold with silver opaline dial, the Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde in stainless steel features a gorgeous white dial and is available with either alligator strap or matching stainless steel bracelet. The white dial with its interesting layout, ensures visual balance with the retrograde day of the week indicator positioned on an arc between 7 and 9 o'clock and the large date with its double windows between 5 and 6 o'clock. Making the watch even more classic and elegant, the dial features applied Roman numerals in the usual Blancpain Villeret font.

Further underscoring the sophistication of the new Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde, both the large date and day of the week change instantly at midnight, while the retrograde day performs a jump from Sunday to Monday. In addition to the prominent calendar displays, this new watch features an elongated central seconds hand bearing the Blancpain initials on its counterweight and a blued hand for the day of the week indicator.

The Movement

Powered by Blancpain’s new 6950GC in-house movement based on caliber 1150 with its two mainspring barrels, this automatic movement provides a 3-day power reserve when fully wound. Adorned with elegant Côtes de Genève throughout the bridges and a honeycomb guilloché motif on its gold oscillating weight, the movement offers a nice treat for the eyes via its display case back.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the new Blancpain Villeret Grande Date Jour Rétrograde wears true to its size and extremely dressy. A very classic looking watch equipped with one of our favorite complications and for the money, not bad at all. If you wear a suit and tie five days a week, this might be the perfect companion for you. If you don't, we rarely would see this watch looking good with casual clothes.

Sticker Price $13,800 USD. For more info on Blancpain click here.