BASEL 2008: Blancpain Carrousel Volante Une Minute Watch

The Blancpain Carrousel Volant Une Minute watch is an entirely new complicated watch from Blancpain, which confirms the spirit for inventive haute horlogerie that has made the brand a revered reference among collectors.  This watch's remarkable movement is inspired by the nearly forgotten carrousel, an invention of Danish watchmaker Bahne Bonniksen.  Created in its original form in 1892, the carrousel--like Abraham-Louis Breguet's tourbillon--sought to counter the effects of gravity upon the escapement of a timepiece.  Considerably more complex than Bonniksen's original device, and greatly miniaturized as well, the self-winding movement of this Blancpain watch comprises 262 individual pieces.  The carrousel has been meticulously engineered to complete a single revolution each minute, another factor that makes it remarkable; traditional carrousels completed a single rotation at an unspecified rate that could vary between 27 and 42 minutes.  The inventive mechanism was developed by Blancpain in collaboration with highly creative associates, including the remarkable watchmaker Vincent Calabrese.  In all, over four years were invested in the watch's realization and creation.  

The Blancpain Carrousel Volant Une Minute is presented in a polished 43.5mm platinum case outfitted with sapphire crystals on both sides; this allows a fascinating glimpse into the mechanical intricacies of the carrousel and the various components, each of which has been richly finished by hand.  A  pointer with a longer and shorter side travels over a staggered scale at the 9 o'clock position to indicate the date, while the status of the 100-hour power reserve is shown on a scale at the 6 o'clock position.