Introducing Blancpain Unveils the New Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel

Blancpain has introduced a new model to its Villeret Collection, the renowned Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel, which now features a striking green sunburst dial inspired by the fir trees of the Vallée de Joux that surround the Manufacture in Le Brassus. This new model exemplifies the iconic Villeret aesthetic, recognized for its rounded double-stepped bezel, elegant hands shaped like cut-out sage leaves, applied Roman numeral hour-markers crafted in gold, and slim cases that have become synonymous with the brand.

Originally launched in 2013, the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel was designed to showcase Blancpain's ability to create highly complex mechanical masterpieces by combining two different regulators: a Tourbillon and a ِCarrousel. We have talked about the tourbillon mechanism in detail in this article.

The case of the Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel is crafted from polished 18 ct red gold, measuring 44.6 mm in diameter and 11.94 mm in height. It features a sapphire crystal with AR coating for enhanced clarity, along with a sapphire crystal caseback that reveals the intricately secured movement. The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters.

The dial is a captivating sunburst green, offering a dynamic play of light that enhances its intricate design. Applied golden Roman numerals complement the dial's elegance, which also features a tourbillon at 12 o'clock and a carrousel at 6 o'clock—two exceptional horological achievements. A discreet date window at 3 o'clock further enhances the dial’s functional appeal.

To fully appreciate the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel, it is essential to understand the distinction between a tourbillon and a carrousel. Both are remarkable mechanical feats designed to counteract the effects of gravity on a movement's precision. However, they operate on different principles. The tourbillon connects to the barrel via a single gear train, meaning any interruption in this connection halts the tourbillon. In contrast, the carrousel is powered by two gear trains: one for the escapement and another to regulate the carriage's rotation. This design makes the carrousel more complex, with additional components compared to the tourbillon.

In the Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel, the two regulators are connected by a differential gear train, with the average of their performance governing the timekeeping. While the precision improvement may be marginal, the system enhances overall accuracy. Through the sapphire caseback, one can observe the intricate differential gears, including a toothed ring around the inside case edge. This unique combination of complications has never been integrated into a single watch in this way before.

Powering the watch is the hand-wound caliber 2322, comprising 379 components. The movement is wound via a crown positioned at 4 o’clock, which winds the barrels for both escapements simultaneously, ensuring consistent power delivery. The watch boasts a 7-day power reserve, with an indicator visible on the movement side.

The Villeret Tourbillon Carrousel is completed with a brown alligator leather strap and a folding clasp. It is priced at 1,370,950 AED.

For more information please visit Blancpain's official website.