Blancpain

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Villeret Squelette´s 8-Day, the latest ones from Basel 2013 and a view back to …

some previous skeleton watches from Blancpain.

The detail shown above is from a novelty in 2013, but more on this later.

First I would like to look back to the 80s/90s ... at Blancpain.

Let´s start with the Ref. 0021 which was part (none skeleton version) of the famous Six Masterpiece Collection (side note: all of them only 34mm). Each watch came with another (single) complication and here it was an ultra-slim movement - even more complicated in the skeleton version.

Ref. 0021 in YG

Ref. 0021 in Pt

The next one is the Ref. 0071 with an automatic movement.

Quite a few years later (after 2000, but I can´t remember when exactly) they introduced another one with a more “modern” approach/style. The Ref. 6025AS with an automatic movement, with tourbillon and 8 days power reserve. The diameter is 37,5mm and it is available in Pt and Rg.

When I saw it in Basel for the first time I liked it, but only in the beginning. It´s hard to explain why, but maybe I prefer the traditional way of skeletonizing or maybe because this one is less challenging to do. The latter is just a guess at the moment. Would be interesting to have an open discussion on that topic with an experienced person from the industry

In 2012 Blancpain introduced the Ref. 6633 with cal. 1333SQ, which is based on the well-known and outstanding cal. 13RO.

The diameter of the movement is 30,60mm and the height is 4,20mm, so there is a great possibility to show some depth. Lot´s of "meat" to work with.

The diameter of the watch is 38mm, which is just perfect in my view.

The way they did the skeletonizing this time is more traditional than compared to the Ref. 6025, but still it looks modern with the simple hands. I am not sure why they introduced this watch in the Villeret Collection because the “organ donor” Ref. 4213 is/was part of the Le Brassus Collection; to me it is even more sophisticated.

On the press pictures I found it quite interesting, but I was not 100% convinced when I saw it in the metal. Was it too shiny? Was it ... I don´t know exactly, it was more like a feeling - even when there are some very nice details to appreciate.

In 2013 they introduced an additional version of the Ref. 6633, but this time with gem-set. The latter adds some spice and even when it is not for everybody it is very well executed and therefore I think we should have a closer look. It almost looks like a fusion from traditional and modern way of how to skeletonize a watch. But have a look and judge by yourself:

The watch is 38mm wide and available in Wg and Rg.

In general I am not into gem-setting watches, but I can appreciate them if they are well-made and on others wrists. Especially the gem-setting on the bridges is something I like in this case and I could imagine a version without gems on the case … Could be even more interesting

So, what do you think about? When it comes to skeletonizing, can you appreciate it and if so do you prefer the traditional or the modern style? What do you think is more challenging to do?

Oliver

PS: Just for completion, two pocket watch versions from the past ...

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