Blancpain Villeret Grand Date Chronograph watch

The Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch displays great elegance, classical design priorities and a rarely seen, technically remarkable high complication.  This complication, the equation of time, was invented to display the difference between Civil time---a day as we conveniently interpret them, divided into even 24 hour periods--from true solar time, which varies daily throughout the course of the year, and is based upon the elliptical orbit of the earth around the sun, as well as our planet's rotational tilt.  (Through the course of a year, True Solar time and Civil time only coincide four times.The remainder of the year, civil time and solar time vary by a degree between -16 minutes to +15 minutes).

The Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch displays a unique golden secondary minute hand, which is tipped with a symbolic sun---this hand represents an accurate depiction of solar minutes, relative to civil minutes; thus, this fine watch presents a true "running" equation of time, an achievement unprecedented in a mechanical wristwatch.  

The Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch also features a beautiful perpetual calendar complication, which displays day of the week, date, month, and the proper leap year cycle; due to its complex mechanical programming, the perpetual calendar mechanism automatically adjusts the date for the varying length of months, with no need for any manual intervention by its owner, as long as the watch remains running.  The key to the remarkable abilities of the Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch is its selfwinding 3863A Calibre, which is visible through the exhibition sapphire caseback. 

Within a slender space of only 5.85mm, the Blancpain 3863A Calibre packs 364 pieces, each carefully finished by hand, before being assembled and perfected by a single Blancpain watchmaker. The top surfaces of the bridges display Cotes de Geneve decoration, while all of the edges are rounded with anglage.  The beautiful 22-karat gold rotor, plated with rhodium, bears the finely rendered inscription  "Et=Tv-Tm", a helpful abbreviated formula reminding the owner of this watch that the time equation can be obtained by subtracting Solar Time (Fr. "Temps Moyenne") from Civil Time (Fr. "Temps Vrai"). Viewed from the dial, the Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch combines technical fascination with elegant detail---upon a fine opaline dial, the leaf shaped hour and primary (civil) minute hand, as well as the calendar hands, are all made from finely polished white gold, as are the Roman numeral hour markers; for clear contrast, the solar hand is made from yellow gold.  

Clearly organized, all elements of the perpetual calendar indication are logically arranged according to their hierarchy of immediate importance.  The most striking feature of the Blancpain Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch, is its cutout in the dial at six o'clock which shows the unique ellipsoidal wheel--a necessary characteristic of any equation of time watch mechanism; this uniquely shaped wheel (so shaped to mechanically realize the analemme chart which illustrates variance of civil and solar time) makes a single revolution per year, and in conjunction with a small arm that rests against it, properly governs the equation of time display.   As a testament to the exclusive nature of this very special complicated watch, Blancpain Watches will only produce 50 Equation of Time Marchante watches. Offered exclusively in a 38mm case crafted from 950 platinum, the Blancpain Watches Villeret Equation of Time Marchante watch will delight collectors of unique and exceptional fine complications.