Joining the Villeret 8 Days and the Villeret 12 day Flying Tourbillon, his Blancpain Villeret carrousel moonphase replica piece is the third of four new pieces launched this year in the brand’s flagship Villeret collection. Similar to last year’s first ever combination of a tourbillon and a carrousel in one caliber, the new Blancpain 225L movement unites a carrousel, a moon phase and a date for the very first time.
But it was Blancpain who brought carrousel complication back to the forefront in 2008 when it launched the world’s first first fake rose gold Blancpain flying carrousel to perform a one-minute rotation. The moon phase is another complication that had experienced an almost total eclipse until it was reintroduced by Blancpain in the early 1980s, according to the brand. Like the tourbillon, the carrousel also aims to reduce the effects of gravity on the rate of the movement (see Did You Know? below). However, the carrousel is a complication that is rarely seen in modern day horology; in fact Blancpain is the only manufacture making carrousel’s that comes to mind, though I am sure there are others out there.
There are two under-lug correctors (patented by Blancpain) on the back of the case which allow the user to adjust the date and moon phase.
This new Blancpain Villeret moonphase copy timepieces bears all the signature DNA of the Villeret collection. The 42mm red gold case (a platinum limited edition will also be made) frames a cambered grand feu enamel dial ; a blued steel serpentine hand indicates the date, while the hollowed sage leaf-type hour and minute hands mark the distinctively styled painted enamel Roman numerals.
This new fully secured caliber comprises 281 parts (including 61 for the carrousel carriage alone), is equipped with silicon balance-spring technology and endowed with a five-day power reserve. And it is a real bit of eye candy as well — adorned with Côtes de Genève as well as the openworked and striated oscillating weight distinguished by a design echoing that of the carrousel carriage.
Whereas the tourbillon is linked to theThe distinction between these a carrousel and a tourbillon lies in their construction.Did You Know?
Now, how about a look at the aforementioned “first ever combination of a tourbillon and a carrousel in one caliber” – see my Hands-On Photos + Video here>>>
barrel by one gear train, the carrousel has two : the first supplies the energy required to drive the escapement ; while the second controls the rotation speed of the carriage.