A hallowed name marks almost 300 years of watchmaking with – what else? – a perpetual calendar

With a heritage that goes back more than 280 years, Blancpain is the oldest surviving watch brand in the world. For 2019 the company, now part of the gargantuan Swatch Group, delved deep into its vast reserves of tradition to create a new limited- edition version of the Villeret Quantième Perpétuel, a run of just 88 watches in a platinum case and with a deep blue dial that are available only at Blancpain boutiques.

Named after the village in which the brand was founded in the 18th century, the seven- hand Villeret incorporates a perpetual- calendar complication that’s regarded by Blancpain as the embodiment of classical horological values. In this incarnation, it indicates the day of the week, date, month and year ( including leap years) until 2100, without any adjustment, with three sub- dials at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock and a moonphase at 6; a large central hand also counts off the seconds. The absence of visible pushers to adjust the complications enhances the Villeret’s classic elegance; instead, these can be altered by small under- lug levers.

This beautiful timepiece is powered by Blancpain’s 5954 calibre, which offers a power reserve of 70 hours. It comes in a 40mm platinum case with double- stepped bezel and is water resistant to 3 bars. A blue alligator strap completes the sophisticated package.