The legacy of Blancpain watches was established by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in 1735 with the opening of its first manufacture facility, a small workshop in Switzerland. For the next 200 years, members of the Blancpain family continued to manufacture the quality Blancpain watches that the company became known for.The company was controlled by the Blancpain family until the death of Jehan-Jacques’ grandson in 1935. Since then, the company has been held by Rayville SA, followed by Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet until 1992, when it was purchased by the Swatch Group.Today, the company is run by Nick Hayek, who is the son of the Swatch Group’s founder and chairman, Nicolas Hayek.However, the legacy of Blancpain watches lives on.Many experts around the world regard the Blancpain watch to be among the finest timepieces in the world.Throughout the 275 years of the company’s existence, they have never produced quartz-driven watches or watches with a digital display.Instead, each Blancpain watch is constructed mechanically, making it much longer lasting and reliable.
The Blancpain Legacy
Throughout the past two and a half centuries, Blancpain watches have continually pushed the envelope.Blancpain has consistently been in the forefront of the technological side of watchmaking.In 1953, Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms model, known for its technical precision, was commissioned by several armies including the US, France and Italy. That same year, Jacques Cousteau and his crew donned the Fifty Fathoms during the shooting of an award-winning film.Also, Blancpain is responsible for creating what is generally regarded as one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever to be created – the Blancpain 1737.There are only 30 such Blancpain watches in existence and only one is produced every year.
Since the beginning of the company, Blancpain has introduced several outstanding timepiece innovations including the world’s smallest automatic movement (Ladybird model) in 1956, the smallest moon phase movement indication showing day, month and date in 1983, the first self-winding split-second chronograph in 1989 and the first and only self-winding Tourbillon watch with a one-week power reserve in 1990.
The Blancpain Watch Collection
There are several different lines of Blancpain watches.The Le Brassus line is considered to be the most mechanically complicated line.The designs in the Le Brassus line are extremely detailed and refined, which is a reflection of the intricate mechanics within.For those who are seeking a more contemporary design, the Leman is a luxurious watch that is typically the most modern Blancpain watch available.The Villeret line is named after the birthplace of Blancpain and features designs that are a reflection of simplicity and refinement.There is also a women’s collection line of Blancpain watches.These watches specifically cater to women and offer them an elegant and mechanically sound timepiece.Blancpain also offers a line of Sport watches.This particular design combines the mechanical superiority that is present in all other Blancpain watches and blends it with a sporty, subtle design.
Blancpain at Wingate’s
Wingate’s is proud to offer a selection of award-winning Blancpain watches for men and women including: Aqua Lung, Chronograph, Fifty Fathoms, GMT, Leman, Sport Time Zone and Villeret.
