Blancpain reunites once again a tourbillon with a carrousel in a new form
The subtle alliance between two timekeeping regulators gave birth to the caliber 2322V2. Paired with a bezel sculpted into an innovative form, one which is both aggressive and sporty, the case houses both a flying tourbillon and flying carrousel.
The dial, designed with multiple levels, reveals all of the complexity of the open worked movement.
The distinctive bezel, the form of the applied numerals together with the asymmetric form of the bridges and base plate, give the timepiece a unique place in the within the Blancpain collection.
This latest design has been finely crafted with a frosted finish as well as a NAC coating (a galvanic process that bestows a dark color on the bridges and base plate). The forms of two cages, that of the tourbillon and that of the carrousel, have been subtly reimagined and reshaped.
The open worked movement, constructed on multiple levels, creates a sense of dynamism through its the depth. The movement’s screws have hexagonal shapes which adds a further dynamic touch to the ensemble. All of these design elements represent “firsts” for Blancpain.
The tourbillon is comprised of a rotating cage which carries with it the escapement and the balance wheel. The escape wheel’s pinion rotates as it turns around the exterior of the fixed seconds wheel. This rotation is the means by which the required energy is transmitted to the escapement and balance.
The cage rotates once every minute which serves to cancel out rate variations in the vertical position. The core idea of the carrousel, invented originally by Bonniksen in 1892, is similar to that of a classic tourbillon even though the cage is not rotated around a fixed seconds wheel, but instead is powered by a small gear.
Two gear trains are utilized, one to rotate the cage and another to deliver power to the balance wheel and the escapement. The lyre placed upon the carrousel’s cage represents the initials of the marque and has been realized by a laser cutting process.
This is the first time that this particularly delicate work has been done on a component of such a small size.
Both the tourbillon and the carrousel are individually powered, each by its own barrel, which allows for an harmonious vertical placement of the two within the movement.
Clever technical innovations were required to achieve simultaneous winding of the barrels of the tourbillon and the carrousel through a single crown, termed the winding crown, which encircles the entire movement.
The movement of the Tourbillon Carrousel is equipped with two differentials, one designed to combine the information from the two complications in order to average the two running rates and the second to produce the power reserve indication shown at the back of the watch.
The case is in platinum with a diameter of 47.40 mm and is fitted with an integrated black alligator strap. This timepiece will be limited to but 50 examples.
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Blancpain presents an innovative timepiece within its core woman's collection
Equipped with an exclusive movement incorporating two retrograde indications, the Day Night distinguishes itself with substantial technical innovations and by the fine crafts- manship of its disk.
Once more Blancpain has reinforced its DNA and its tradition of innovation with this demonstration of savoir-faire in a new caliber created especially for its collection Women.
Based upon the caliber 1150, the movement of the Day Night is larger in diameter. The winding rotor, decoratively engraved and polished, has been enlarged to enhance the view of the complex movement through the sapphire case back.
With a diameter of 40 mm, this timepiece offers an harmonious balance between its diameter and thickness as its height is less than 12 mm. The dial is fashioned entirely in mother of pearl and is divided into three parts on four levels.
The differences in height create an impression of great depth. Careful work was called for to fashion the mother of pearl surface upon progressively descending levels, as the mother of pearl material on a base of German silver becomes progressively thinner with each level and, therefore, more fragile.
The Day Night disk turns twice per day. Each rotational change takes place over approximately four minutes, as the decoration presents itself, allowing the discovery of all of the details of the day and the night.
Many different artistic techniques were used in its creation: la décalque (depositing material), le champlevé (contour forms in relief), and le marquetage (integration of superimposed motifs in mother of pearl).
Gradations in the color blue, achieved by deposit upon the mother of pearl, marks the change from day to night. The moon is composed of 50 diamonds; the sun is fashioned with 50 yellow sapphires. Placed upon the surface are several yellow colored mother of pearl dots as well as 14 diamonds which represent the stars.
One of the unique features of this piece is the way that the two retrograde indications (seconds and hours) are combined with the minute hand. The minute is displayed with a regulator hand which continuously sweeps over its circle of rotation.
As it completes its 60 minute march, the seconds hand is retrograding, which is to say that it has progressed along its arc and returns instantly to its point of departure to begin anew its progression.
Similarly, the hour hand retrogrades twice per day, again in synch with the minute hand.
Blancpain has perfected the design of retrograde indications. Based upon snail shaped cams, Blancpain’s design ensures smooth movement of the hands along the arc of travel and a positive, swift, yet vibration free return to the starting point.
The gear train of the Day Night disk is secured, meaning that it can be set at any time of day. The setting of the time and the disk are independent. The setting of hours and minutes by the crown, through a lever, disconnects the indication from the running train of the watch.
Blancpain’s signature design elements such as the double stepped case with its rounded shoulders are found in this timepiece. The bezel is set with two spiral shaped rows of 140 diamonds around its exterior. The Day Night is fitted with a white ostrich strap.
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