Blancpain’s complete calendar GMT complication established itself as a mainstay with its original debut in 2002. For Baselworld 2018, the Manufacture reinterprets this practical complication and brings it back to the new Quantième Complet GMT enhanced with Blancpain’s patented under-lug correctors.
Since the early 1980’s, Blancpain’s complete calendar moon phase timepieces have been a signature of the house. Blancpain’s design that displays the day of the week and month in windows and the date with a supplemental blued serpentine shaped hand reading upon scale positioned around the chapter ring and placement of a moon phase window at six o’clock has firmly established itself as a classic arrangement. Adding the GMT function elevates the timepiece to a high complication. Ensuring that the watch places itself as an ideal travel companion, the calendar indications are linked to the local time display shown on the principal hands. Home time is shown with a red-tipped hand.
The introduction of this combination of complications in the Villeret Collection brings with it innovations that were developed after the original version of the Quantième Complet GMT was launched. The in-house movement now features a silicium balance spring with its superior antimagnetic and timing precision properties. The setting of all the calendar and moon phase indications with a finger-tip, instead of the standard tool, is made possible with the exclusive under-lug correctors. An added benefit, the hidden correctors enable completely smooth case flanks unmarred by corrector dimples, commonly found in the watch world. Rapid adjustment of local time in one-hour increments is accomplished via the crown.
There are two versions of the new Quantième Complet GMT, in red gold with an opaline dial and applied red gold Roman indexes; and in stainless steel with a white dial and white gold applied Roman indexes. Both are fitted into 40 mm diameter cases with the traditional Villeret double stepped bezel. Alligator straps or metal bracelets are available for each.
