February 29th, 2024, was the day when watches with perpetual calendar complications shone the most because it was a leap year. This mechanical marvel automatically jumps from the 29th of February to the 1st of March without the need for manual adjustment. To mark this leap year, Blancpain presented its new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel model in a red gold case and a green dial. I was fortunate enough to see and try this piece yesterday, and here are a few pictures.
Beside the combination of the red gold case and a green dial, this is the Blancpain perpetual calendar that you all know. It features a double-stepped case in 40 mm, month, day and date indicators, and a moon phase at 6 o’clock that is recognisable by its unique expression.
This perpetual calendar features two specific characteristics designed to make it eminently user-friendly. The first is a secure movement that protects the calendar mechanism from damage if the wearer adjusts the watch while the indications are changing. The second is the under-lug correctors. Introduced by Blancpain as a world first on a perpetual calendar in 2005, this patented system enables the calendar indications to be adjusted simply by pressing with a finger, thus eliminating any need for a correction tool.
This watch is driven by the 5954 self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve and of which the meticulous finishing, red gold honeycomb oscillating weight and silicon balance spring can be admired in full through the sapphire crystal case back.
The price of the new Blancpain Villeret Quantième Perpétuel in green is 54,350 EUR. For additional details about Blancpain watches, visit www.blancpain.com.
