HANDS-ON With The Blancpain Quantieme Perpetuel 8 Jours
Yesterday, I attended the New York-based watch fair IBG, which you can read about in further detail HERE. At this exquisite event, I had the opportunity to view a selection of the world's newest and most exclusive timepieces--ranging from watches containing numerous tourbillons to watches slimmer than a quarter. Between Blancpain's recent opening of their Fifth Avenue boutique, and their latest contributions to the realm of haute horlogerie, Blancpain has much to offer. What pretty much left me in awe was their Quantieme Perpetuel 8 Jours.
Other than my favorite "borderline-vintage" perpetual calendar, Patek's 3940, this is the only perpetual calendar in years to which I have taken a liking. The Quantieme Perpetuel 8 Jours has a traditional Blancpain double stepped bezel, a simple Grand Feu porcelain dial, and an overall sleek aesthetic that is almost never found in such complicated pieces. Ever since Blancpain's comeback in 1981, thanks to the legendary Jean-Claude Biver, the workmanship has greatly improved. Thus, the quality of Blancpain's current wristwatches is on par with Breguet, Vacheron and other celebrated manufactures.
Resting halfway from the Blancpain logo to the center of the dial is a standard moonphase indicator. The watch is powered by a 42-jewel Calibre 5939A with a power reserve of 192 hours when fully wound. I don't think Blancpain, let alone anyone, could have done a better job with the case and its construction. At a thickness, or should I say a thinness, of 13.50 millimeters and a diameter of 42 millimeters, the watch needs no adjusting to and fits perfectly under the cuff of a shirt. I especially love the fact that Blancpain is only producing this model in platinum and red gold. Sure these metals up the retail price, but when money is no object the premium is surely worth it.
The price of the Blancpain Quantieme Perpetuel 8 Jours is $80,300 in platinum and $58,900 in 18k red gold. There is an optional bracelet offered with the red gold variation for an additional $19,300 which is beyond cool and adds a rare factor to this watch.
For more information, please visit www.blancpain.com.