ONLY WATCH 2011

Monaco, Sep 23, 2011

LOT 3

Blancpain, "Villeret" for Only Watch Blancpain, 1735, "Villeret Grande Décoration", unique piece. Very fine and unique, hand-winding, waterresistant at 3 bar wristwatch. Accompanied by fitted box and Certificate.

Case: 18K red gold, engraved with ?Pièce Unique? ?Only Watch 2011?, transparent case back and sapphire crystal. Dial: Cambered white ?Grand Feu? enameled with 12 painted enamel black Roman numerals. Red gold feuille hands. Movement: Cal. 15B, rhodium-plated, 20 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, 40-hour power-reserve, decorated with an exceptional entirely handcrafted engraving of a a typical Monegasque scene representing the Rock and its hinterland. Dial, case and movement signed. Diameter 45 mm.

Wish Price EUR 45,000 - 65,000


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Blancpain, the world?s oldest watch brand, once again reaffirms its support for the fight against muscular dystrophy and marks its decade-long commitment to this noble cause by unveiling an exceptional watch created especially for the Only Watch charity auction. The Villeret Grande Décoration for Only Watch 2011 is an outstanding exercise in style distinguished by vivid contrasts. It is equipped with Calibre 15B, an ultra-thin hand-wound 117-part movement stemming from the pocket watch in the same collection and indicating the hours and minutes. The cambered grand feu enameled dial bears only 12 painted enamel hour markers and two hands in the same red gold as the 45 mm case housing it. The pure design of the dial is counter-balanced by the incredibly refined decoration of its movement. A glance through the transparent case back reveals the exceptional engraving of a typical Monegasque scene, representing the Rock and its hinterland by Blancpain?s master-engraver Marie-Laure Tarbouriech, who recently received the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France distinction. The slightly thicker bridges of Calibre 15B have allowed the artist to give free rein to her talent in creating this original décor for an exceptional timepiece.