Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel Green

Blancpain has introduced a fresh addition to its Villeret Collection: the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel, now with a striking green sunburst dial inspired by the fir trees of the Vallée de Joux, the region surrounding Blancpain’s Manufacture in Le Brassus. This new model upholds the timeless aesthetic of the Villeret line, which is known for its rounded double-stepped bezel, graceful hands shaped like cut-out sage leaves, gold Roman numeral hour markers, and slim, elegant cases that define the brand’s signature style.

First introduced in 2013, the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel was designed to demonstrate Blancpain’s mastery in creating sophisticated mechanical timepieces by merging two complex regulators: a Tourbillon and a Carrousel. While both regulators aim to improve precision by counteracting the effects of gravity on the movement, they achieve this through different mechanical principles. The tourbillon mechanism links directly to the barrel with a single-gear train, which means any disruption halts the tourbillon. In contrast, the carrousel uses two gear trains—one to power the escapement and another to manage the rotation of the carriage—making it a more intricate system with additional components.

The case of the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel is made from polished 18 ct red gold, measuring 44.6 mm in diameter and 11.94 mm in thickness. It features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, ensuring exceptional clarity when viewing the dial. The sapphire crystal caseback allows a clear view of the watch’s intricate movement. The timepiece is water-resistant to 30 meters, making it a durable yet refined piece.

The dial, adorned with a vivid green sunburst finish, captivates with its dynamic play of light. Its applied golden Roman numerals add a touch of classic elegance, while the layout emphasizes the exceptional technical feats of the watch: the tourbillon is positioned at 12 o’clock, and the carrousel is located at 6 o’clock. The design is completed by a discreet date window at 3 o’clock, enhancing the watch’s practicality without detracting from its aesthetic balance.

What sets this timepiece apart is its unique combination of both the tourbillon and carrousel mechanisms in one watch—a horological achievement rarely seen. The two regulators are linked by a differential gear train that averages the performance of both mechanisms to regulate the timekeeping function. While this may offer only a slight improvement in precision, it showcases Blancpain’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking. The intricacies of the differential gears, including a toothed ring inside the case, can be admired through the sapphire caseback, offering a glimpse into the remarkable complexity of the movement.

At the heart of the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel lies the hand-wound caliber 2322, a movement composed of 379 parts. The movement is wound through a crown positioned at 4 o’clock, designed to wind both the tourbillon and carrousel barrels simultaneously. This ensures steady power delivery to both escapements. The caliber 2322 boasts an impressive 7-day power reserve, with an indicator that can be viewed on the movement side of the watch. The timepiece is finished with a luxurious brown alligator leather strap, which adds to its refined appearance, and is fastened with a folding clasp for added security and comfort.