Valentin Blank
543
BP Basel Reception 2008: Blancpain in the hands of the Vincents
Hi
This year's Basel reception was largely a tribute to the two Vincents.
You might have heard already of one of them...
Looks familiar to you? Yepp, that's Vincent Calabrese, a brilliant and most likeable member of Switzerland's watchmaker elite. With a smile he explained to us how he had took the challenge of designing the revolutionary 'Carrousel Volant Une Minute'. It's the only karussel watch which takes exactly one minute for a complete rotation. What's more the karussel is located at the centre of the mechanism and thus reveals the whole beauty of its complicated construction. By the way, if you like beautifully polished bevelled edges, this watch is for you!
One aspect which makes this watch a real treat for the geek's eyes is its three-dimensionality. You can virtually dive into the dial and observe the karussel from the side. That makes the whole magic even more adorable.
After Vincent Calabrese delivered his finished concept it was the other Vincent's turn. He works as a complication watchmaker with Blancpain. He has been responsible for the implementation of the ingenious karussel concept. Here he is standing right next to an illustration of what must have bothered him for quite a while.
Jeff was a kind as to translate Vincent's sophisticated remarks and he did the presentation together with Marc Hayek and Magnus (sorry, Magnus, I couldn't find one decent shot of you on my memory card).
Another stunning timepiece was the new Fifty Fathoms 'Colours of the Ocean'. It's a radiantly white FF diving watch. The unidirectional bezel is made of sapphire and thus virtually unscratchable. I love this bezel, it's a work of art in its own right—so smooth and silky.
Now, what you need to know about this watch is that it changes its colours. So beware: if you plan to wear it with a white summer suit and you happen to dive deeper than 50m the dial and bezel will no longer match your suit for they will have changed to yellow. Further changes occur every 50m. I warned you. 
There were a handful of other novelties, like an entirely black version of the Fifty Fathoms and some rather peppery sports watches. Check out the upcoming PuristS Basel report for more information and (much better) images.
Thank you Blancpain for this wonderful and familiar reception, thank you Marc Hayek for taking your time for us, thank you Jeff and Magnus for the presentation and the organisation of the whole event. Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the charming and friendly staff of the Blancpain booth and Rochat's team who spoilt us with divine appetisers.
Cheers, Valentin
BP Basel Reception 2008: Blancpain in the hands of the Vincents
