Editor’s pick — Accessory quick take: key highlight (movement/specs for watches, materials/finish, limited run, pricing tier) in 1–2 lines.
While Blancpain may be best known for its pioneering Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, the brand’s Villeret line of dress and calendar watches demonstrates its consummate skill in traditional watchmaking. The new Villeret Golden Hour series was the focus of an exclusive cocktail event at Blancpain’s East 57th Street boutique in NYC, which included an enlightening panel discussion between Blancpain’s Global Vice President Alexios Kitsopoulos, North America President Leonardo Laviola, historian Jeffrey Kingston, and Hodinkee’s TanTan Wang.
Image by Will Cadena
The event kicked off on a high note with an exclusive first look at 16 newly introduced timepieces in the Villeret Golden Hour series, including the time-and-date Villeret Ultraplate, the Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune, and the Villeret Quantième Phases de Lune. Available with stainless steel or 18ct red gold cases and a choice of rich brown or opaline dials, they boast a range of updates, including slimmer, lumed hands, openworked rotors, and alligator leather straps with quick-change functionality.
Image by Will Cadena
In his review for Hodinkee, TanTan praised the warmth of the collection’s brown dials and red gold cases, along with hidden under-lug correctors which allow the wearer to adjust the calendar at any time without risk of damaging the movement.
The panel delved into the collection’s history as a showcase for Blancpain’s watchmaking excellence, from the introduction in 1983 of the smallest complete calendar moon phase of its time to today. Kingston, whose official history of the Fifty Fathoms is required reading for Blancpain fans, added additional historical context as well as his perspective as a devoted collector.
Image by Will Cadena
Following the conversation was an opportunity to experience a selection of Blancpain’s rarest high-complications in the metal, underscoring the brand’s wide-ranging achievements in haute horlogerie, from minute-repeaters to tourbillons to jumping hours. Accompanied by cocktails and a preview of the Villeret Golden Hour series, it made for the perfect way to appreciate Blancpain’s long heritage of watchmaking excellence.
Image by Will Cadena
Image by Will Cadena
Image by Will Cadena
Image by Will Cadena
This event was produced in partnership with Blancpain.
Source: www.hodinkee.com — original article published 2025-11-04 16:00:00.
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