$28,990
Pre-Owned Blancpain 34mm Villeret Tourbillon, White Dial, Leather Strap, Ref. 0023-1418-55
This watch is number 8 out of a limited edition of 99 examples. Coincidentally, when this caliber 23 movement was introduced, it was the first wristwatch tourbilon to feature an 8-day power reserve. Powered by a manual Tourbillon complication, the watch features a date and power reserve. Accompanying the watch is a new black leather strap with the original signed buckle and box.
Blancpain introduced its Caliber 23 in 1989, pushing the envelope of classic tourbillon design with its flying tourbillon. A traditional tourbillon requires putting the movement in a cage. For its flying tourbillon, Blancpain removed the top bridge that would normally support the cage and instead relied upon a single bridge underneath for support. To achieve this, Blancpain developed a miniscule ball bearing assembly to support the rotating tourbillon cage. The result is an unobstructed view of the tourbillon cage, balance wheel and escapement. This innovative flying tourbillon design became the world’s first flying tourbillon ever fitted into a wristwatch and the first tourbillon to be supported with ball bearings. Because this watch has just received a factory overhaul, the new owner can observe this beautiful movement carefree for years to come.
Only 1 left in stock
| Band Color | Black |
|---|---|
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Type | Strap |
| Box and Papers | Box and Papers |
| Brand | Blancpain |
| Caliber | 23 |
| Case Material | 18k Yellow Gold |
| Case Size | 34mm |
| Caseback | Solid, Exhibition |
| Complication | Small Seconds, Power Reserve |
| Crystal Material | Sapphire |
| Dial Color | White |
| Movement | Manual |
| Size | 31mm – 34mm |
| Warranty | 1-Year Watchworks Guarantee |
| Item ID | 0005245 |
|---|---|
| Model # | 0023-1418-55 |
| Model Name | Villeret Tourbillon |
| Serial Number | XXX |
Jehan-Jacques Blancpain identified himself as a watchmaker in 1735, making Blancpain the oldest watch company to continuously operate. After the founders became school teachers, they continued to supplement their time and income with watchmaking. Decades later, the industrial era led the Blancpain company to introduce modern production to their workshop, which led to a growth in watchmaking. By 1926, the company entered into partnership with the British watchmaker John Harwood, who had developed the first self-winding wristwatch. When no Blancpain family member wished to continue watchmaking after the death in 1932 of the last Blancpain director, two highly regarded former employees purchased the company. To survive the Great Depression, the company began to supply movements to other watch manufacturers, including Elgin and Hamilton. Probably their best known watch was the Fifty Fathoms, a diving watch introduced in 1953. Blancpain widely promoted the watch, which led to its adoption by Jacques Cousteau and navies throughout the world. Their growth continued until in 1961, they decided to join forces with Omega, Lemania and Tissot to become the largest Swiss watch group at that time. The well-known quartz crisis led the group to decide to produce quartz watches themselves, which led to the sale of the Blancpain brand to a group who manufactured movements. One of the members of the group realized that Blancpain had never produced a quartz watch, which led to their new slogan: “Since 1735, there has never been a quartz Blancpain watch. And there never will be.” Eventually the brand was merged into the Swatch group. Today, Blancpain continues their proud tradition of producing beautiful mechanical complications in the tradition of the finest Swiss watchmakers.
