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Some excerpts from my series of Blancpain reviews
Recently I've written 10 reviews about Blancpain watches. I would like to share some quotes from these articles:
"Blancpain belongs to the exclusive club
of watchmakers who develop new movements and complications. No more
then a dozen companies today can say they continue to push the field
of mechanical watchmaking further. In a somewhat ironic twist,
Blancpain use computer power to calculate and simulate the
disposition of various parts in its watches. There is something
nostalgic in the way in which digital innovations is being utilized
to serve an essentially old technology. But the nostalgia also serves
to demonstrate a point: Blancpain is about the tradition, but it
approaches it with a fresh, new attitude."
" All men's diver watches feature a
powerful masculine design, even somewhat rustic in its outward
appearance: an immediate announcement of utility preference. A closer
look reveals that the bracelet (or the lugs with the strap) provide
the initial “brutal” impulse of power, which is subsequently
“civilized” and toned down by the unidirectional rotating bezel –
a feature whose numbers and markers indicate a measure of clear
purpose and direction. Black or dark blue dials further bridle the
design by calling attention to the large Arabic numeral and the
pointy hands, all luminous. I think that despite the achieved
balance, there is still something ruthless seething inside Blancpain
men's divers, which makes the watches especially suitable for
explosive, fierce personalities."
"Blancpain continue to refresh Leman
with complications and technological innovations. Leman Aqua Lung is
the newest contribution: a streamlined timepiece that includes a
minute repeater and is water resistant up to 100 meters. I have no
idea how the gong will sound underwater, but keeping track of time is
now possible even when splashing on the beach, or sunbathing in the
hotel pool (or bathtub). The engineering solution that allows to
tighten the case and stop water from entering the inside has been
patented. Leman Aqua Lung became another proof, water-proof, if you
will, of Blancpain ingenuity."
"Despite all the luxurious
embellishments, and true to Blancpain's principles, Leman women's
watches retain an unmistakable streak of humility. The company
succeeds in creating an essentially casual line of watches that
treats the expensive stones with ease and lightness of touch. It's
not about the diamonds – well, maybe just a little – it's about time,
the precious asset of all. Leman women's collection makes a
point that goes beyond riches; it reasserts that all people stand on
equal terms when it comes to time: we all have it, we all waste it,
we all use it, misuse it, exploit it – we all have only so much.
And, when it's up, the richest person on earth becomes the poorest."
"The Speed Command literally drips
with adrenaline: a deep black design with screaming yellow or orange
numerals and indexes that spread upon the dial and the bezel produce
a shocking, awakening effect. Undoubtedly, the color scheme takes
into consideration the dramatic physical stress motor racers undergo.
Piercing blood-red hands point at the time like needles, providing
another (less desirable) hint at emergency. It's interesting that
Blancpain still consider, even in such “extreme circumstances,”
the overall design consistency: corresponding yellow and orange
threads were used to stitch the straps."
Thank you for reading!
