Named after the village in Switzerland where Blancpain originated, the Villeret collection may have only been christened officially in 2003, but the style and silhouette of these elegant dress watches stretch nearly 20 years before that, to the 1983 launch of the brand’s smallest complete calendar moonphase of its time, one that measured a mere 21 millimetres across. The collection distinguished by a double-stepped bezel has stood for sophistication and horological excellence ever since.

Now, the Villeret collection sees three of its key models undergo an aesthetic update just in time for the chillier months. The result is the Golden Hour series of novelties: 16 regular-production references, composed of different combinations afforded by two dial colours, two kinds of case materials, and the option of a diamond-set bezel. The unifying feature of this latest cohort is its autumnal palette, thanks to red gold; finely grained opaline dials and sunburst dials in a sumptuous taupe that brings to mind the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2025, Mocha Mousse; and interchangeable alligator-leather straps in light brown, beige, tan and dark blue-grey.

Leading the pack is the Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune, the most complicated timepiece of the trio. Measuring 40.2 millimetres in diameter and 10.6 millimetres in thickness, the watch stands out with its complete calendar with a pointer date and moonphase, powered by the manufacture calibre 6654.4. The self-winding movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers 72 hours of power reserve and a 30-metre depth rating, and is set via correctors positioned under each of the four lugs that can adjust calendar indications independently at any time without risking damage to the movement.

A host of visual updates can be seen on the Villeret Quantième Complet Phases de Lune. The redesigned case, also available in stainless steel, sports a slimmer bezel, a larger crown, a thinner profile and reworked lugs. The Roman-numeral indices, in satin-brushed and polished gold, are now rendered in a modern, sans serif typeface. In particular, the XII numeral is replaced by an applied JB logo, in tribute to Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the celebrated founder of the brand. The leaf-shaped handset, in red gold or white gold, is reimagined with luminescent inserts. And the moonphase, one of the emblematic signatures of Blancpain watches, sees a ceramic moonphase disc with an enigmatically smiling moon in domed satin-brushed gold peeking out of a larger aperture.

Many of the same updates can be found on the Villeret Quantième Phases de Lune and the Villeret Ultraplate. The former packs a moonphase and a pointer date into a 33.2-millimetre by 10.4-millimetre stainless-steel or red-gold case (which has correctors positioned on the case sides), fitted with the calibre 913QL.P with 40 hours of power reserve and dressed up with diamond index markers; the option of a diamond-set bezel is the cherry on top. The latter, a 40-millimetre three-hand model with an enlarged date window, measures just 8.7 millimetres in thickness, and is powered by the calibre 1151, which boasts a remarkable 100 hours of power reserve.

MOVEMENT: In-house, various
CASE: Red gold or steel, simple or gem-set, various sizes
STRAP: Alligator leather
PRICE: From SGD 15,500

This story was first seen as part of the WOW #82 Festive 2025 Issue

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