Blancpain has introduced its remarkable Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar, a watch that intricately combines elements from the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar with aspects of the Gregorian system and moon phase indicators. This innovative timepiece, which debuted in 2012, made waves as it launched during the auspicious Year of the Dragon. Now, for the upcoming 2026, Blancpain is set to release an exclusive limited edition of just 50 pieces crafted in platinum, celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, featuring a uniquely captivating salmon color on its Grand Feu enamel dial.
In keeping with the esteemed Villeret aesthetic, this luxurious watch boasts a refined 45.2mm platinum case with a polished finish and a distinctive double-stepped design. It cleverly incorporates Blancpain’s patented correctors—five in total—discreetly positioned beneath the lugs for seamless functionality adjustments. As with Blancpain's previous models in the Chinese calendar series, the zodiac animal is subtly represented, revealed through a small aperture at noon on the dial and delicately engraved onto the rotor.
What truly sets this model apart in 2026 is the eye-catching salmon-hued Grand Feu enamel dial, which radiates warmth and elegance. This exquisite enamel is designed to resist fading over time, ensuring a vibrant backdrop for the wealth of information presented on the dial. Despite the complexity of the data displayed, the dial remains surprisingly organized, thanks to the symmetrical layout of the various indicators. The date is indicated along the outer edge in Arabic numerals, paired with a striking blue serpentine pointer hand. Additionally, the moon phase display, featuring Blancpain's signature smiling moon face, is situated in the lower half of the dial. The applied white gold Roman numerals mark the hours, complemented by finely crafted, openworked sage-leaf hands for both hour and minute indications, completing the Western calendar features.
The design of the Chinese calendar is thoughtfully integrated into three sub-dials. At the top, directly below the horse symbol aperture, a small sub-dial tracks the Chinese double hours. Positioned horizontally at 9 o’clock is a counter that represents the lunar months and days, which turns red when the year includes an additional intercalary month. On the right side at 3 o’clock, a sub-dial adorned with a yin and yang symbol showcases the five elements—wood, earth, fire, water, and metal—as well as the ten heavenly stems. As we celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse, the blued hand within this sub-dial will align with the element of fire.
Developed over five years, Blancpain’s automatic calibre 3638 is a marvel of horological engineering, far surpassing the complexity of a perpetual calendar. This movement contains 464 components and boasts an impressive power reserve of seven days, made possible by three series-coupled barrels. Operating at a frequency of 4Hz, the movement is enhanced with a silicon balance spring. Its traditional finishing details include Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges. The rotor, made of frosted white gold, features a beautifully engraved image of a galloping horse alongside a flying swallow, symbolizing speed and agility. Surrounding this central image are a natural ruby and the Chinese characters denoting "horse" and "fire."
The Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar Year of the Fire Horse comes elegantly paired with a rich brown leather strap and a white gold pin buckle, emphasizing its luxurious appeal. With only 50 pieces available, this exquisite timepiece carries a retail price of CHF 81,000. For more information, you can visit blancpain.com.
Technical Specifications – Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar 2026
- Case: 45.2mm diameter x 15.1mm height x 52mm lug-to-lug, crafted from polished platinum, with a water resistance of 30 meters and sapphire crystal over the dial and caseback; features five patented under-lug correctors.
- Dial: Salmon-coloured Grand Feu enamel, showcasing the Chinese zodiac and double hours, indicators for Chinese date, month, and leap month, five elements, and celestial stems; Gregorian date marked on the periphery with Arabic numerals and indicated by a blue serpentine pointer hand; moon phases displayed; applied white gold Roman numerals and dots; openworked leaf-shaped hands.
- Movement: Blancpain automatic calibre 3638, measuring 32mm x 8.3mm, providing 168 hours (7-day) power reserve, consisting of 464 components and 39 rubies, operating at a frequency of 4Hz; silicon balance spring; rotor made of 18k white gold, frosted and engraved featuring a galloping horse and swallow, flanked by a natural ruby and the Chinese characters for horse and fire.
- Strap: Brown leather with a white gold pin buckle.
- Reference: 0888 3432E 55B
- Availability: Limited edition of 50 pieces.
- Price: CHF 81,000.
