Overview
In 1981, Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet purchased Blancpain and paved the way for a revival that re-established the brand as a powerhouse in traditional Swiss mechanical watch-making. As a direct response to the Quartz Crisis, Biver and Piguet famously centered their efforts around the slogan: "Since 1735 there has never been a quartz Blancpain watch. And there never will be.” Indeed, much of the 11 years of their leadership was spent developing the company’s “six masterpieces”, a collection of classically designed watches that focused on discrete sizes and high complications including an ultra-thin, calendar moonphase, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, split seconds, and flying tourbillon. The move proved to be a massive success and in 1992 Blancpain was sold to the SMH Group (now the Swatch Group) for nearly 3,000 times what the two had originally paid.
Of the six masterpieces that Blancpain unveiled in 1991, the perpetual calendar and the split seconds have gone on to become collector darlings, with exotic dials and rarer case metals like platinum becoming especially sought after. The perpetual calendar here represents a classical and well-balanced take on one of watchmakings most romanticized complications. With its 3.28mm thick automatic caliber and compact 34mm case, Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet created a technical marvel and gave the watch world plenty to be excited about. While initial references lacked a leap year indicator, they later corrected this with the 5495 and fully delivered on the potential of their perpetual calendar. If ever there was a single watch that represents the pinnacle of neo-vintage Blancpain, this one may just be it.
Specifications
Brand:
Blancpain
Model:
Villeret Perpetual Calendar
Reference:
5495-3427-55
Year:
1990s
Case Number:
No. 91
Case Material:
Platinum
Diameter:
34 mm
Lug Width:
19 mm
Thickness:
9.0 mm
Lug-to-Lug:
37.7 mm
Dial:
White
Lume:
Super-LumiNova
Crystal:
Sapphire
Movement:
Automatic
Caliber:
Blancpain 953
Bracelet/Strap:
Blancpain navy alligator strap with platinum tang buckle
Max Wrist Size:
Hand model has a wrist size of 6.2 in
Condition
Case: The platinum case shows light signs of wear in the form of a few hairlines, tiny nicks, and micro dings, but the overall impression is very clean. The lugs show light signs of polishing but remain well-defined. The caseback has a few hairlines and tiny scratches and retains clear delineation between brushed and polished surfaces. The brand and serial number engravings, as well as the platinum hallmarks, are crisp and detailed. The backs of the lugs show faint signs of prior strap removal.
Dial, Hands, & Crystal: The white dial and polished hands are in pristine condition with no notable imperfections. The hands are Super-LumiNova service units and glow when exposed to UV light. The sapphire crystal is squeaky clean and scratch-free.
Bracelet/Strap: The Blancpain navy alligator strap shows practically no wear and remains in fantastic condition. The Blancpain signature on the platinum buckle is slightly faded from polishing, but remains legible. Otherwise the buckle exhibits minimal wear and is consistent with the rest of the case.
Performance
Functions: All functions including the crown winding, time setting, and push buttons are working as expected.
Service History: The watch recently underwent a full service by Blancpain Japan that was completed on 07/28/2023 during which the movement was overhauled and the crown and one of the push buttons were replaced.
