The use of Grand Feu enamel reaffirms Blancpain’s deep-felt attachment to historical watchmaking skills. This magnificently stable material that maintains its radiance indefinitely is particularly suited to adorning a watch with such a classic aesthetic. Crafting it involves applying several successive layers of enamel that are fired at temperatures of over 1000°C. The enamel-painted numerals also undergo the stern trial of the furnace.
According to how the light plays across it, the Grand Feu enamel dial gives a subtle nod to tradition by revealing the tone-on-tone “JB” logo engraved between the numerals IV and V, VII and VIII. This is the secret signature with which enamellists historically initialled their works.
This elegant model is immersed in the aesthetic environment of the Villeret collection with its 42-mm red gold round double-stepped case and slightly hollowed sage leaf-shaped hands. The dial is soberly enlivened by a date display at 3 o’clock, as well as a central seconds hand. The sapphire crystal case-back provides an opportunity to admire the Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement bridges and the honeycomb pattern on the oscillating weight.
The watch is driven by in-house Calibre 1335, with 8-day power reserve. It is fitted with a chocolate-toned alligator leather strap.
