Zarium
26
...only two days ago I had the most amazing fortune of chancing upon this mythical watch...
And as if that weren't coincidence enough, I think the piece I held in my hands...is the EXACT one being featured here.
Here are two photos I took. I also recorded a short video, but I shan't post it up. I did not take any pictures of the caseback; in keeping with decorum and propriety. However, I remember it to have looked exactly like this: elaborately chased, engraved, decorated, etc. Also of note was the hammers being visible (just like the above photos)--I was told by its owner that there exist variants where the "cut out" exposing the hammers and gongs is absent.
He was most kind to have let me handle and admire it. It's a magnificent watch. I've always had a soft spot for Platinum anyway--but the watch is truly one of the most breathtaking pieces that I've had the honour of handling. I don't care much for the decorative finishes Blancpain chose to use for this movement (just personally not much of a fan of skeletonisation/elaborate engraving)--but I can only remember being left speechless when I examined the movement with a 7x loupe; all the hallmarks of true hand engraving on the rotor; and elsewhere...nary anyone does this anymore.
I have always disliked the "man-in-the-moon" aesthetic, but that's only rather a trivial thing.
It was an extremely well balanced watch. It had incredible wrist presence. Amazing heft. But it wore really well; unlike a great many watches that seem to be nothing but poor, lazy design. It felt just right--with a sort of gravitas: it was comfortable. The kind of heavy...that is not overbearing, but comfortable.
Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication.
One of the first true Grande Complications to see the light in a wrist watch, with the IWC Destriero Schaffousia. The 1735 Grande Complication was unveiled in 1991. True Grande Complication because it gathers the following complications: Tourbillon, Split...
I think the 1735 is a benchmark achievement in modern mechanic horology....
I also think that this achievement helped navigating the whole Swiss watch industry back to the traditional path and set new standards that nowadays are taken for granted. One needed a true vision then by the end of the 1980's when all trinity and non-tri...
I believe I handled one of these at a Purists lunch many years ago...
...or something very similar. I was under the impression it was a unique piece. I won't 'out' the owner but he used to be around on Timezone a lot back in the day. Impressive piece but very thick.
I just forgot to say that to me, although indeed timing and complication wise....
it's just natural to mention in the same context of the BP 1735 also the IWC's Destriero, however, yes however, you probably know already what I want to say Nicolas...yes, the movement....hmmmm....having such a complicated watch driven by a basis of a Val...
Fantastic watch!
Many thanks for sharing. I remember when this watch was launched... such a different (horological) world back then! I assume the crown and pushers on this are white gold, given the very noticeable colour difference to the rest of the case in platinum? I'v...
...only two days ago I had the most amazing fortune of chancing upon this mythical watch...
And as if that weren't coincidence enough, I think the piece I held in my hands...is the EXACT one being featured here. Here are two photos I took. I also recorded a short video, but I shan't post it up. I did not take any pictures of the caseback; in kee...
