At the Swatch Group's "Time to Move" event in 2019, Blancpain introduced a number of new models to its iconic Villeret collection. One of these was a GMT model. With the release of the Villeret Complete Calendar GMT in 2018 as an example, Blancpain has been expanding its range of travel-themed designs in recent years. The model featured here is the simple new Villeret GMT Date, which adds a GMT function with a date display at 3 o'clock.
Text by Logan R. Baker
Blancpain Villeret GMT Date
The Villeret GMT Date seamlessly incorporates a GMT display into the collection's elegant, dressy design. A simple 24-hour display ring with Arabic numerals is set inside the Roman numeral indexes. A slender hand with a red arrow tip indicates the second time zone on the 24-hour display ring, while local time hours and minutes are displayed by leaf-shaped hands. The time display is completed by a date display at 3 o'clock. The two-stage bezel follows the tradition of the Villeret collection.
This watch is powered by the in-house automatic caliber 5A50, which has a silicon balance spring and a power reserve of approximately 100 hours. The GMT, date, and time displays can be quickly and easily adjusted via the crown. The 40mm case is available in 18K red gold or stainless steel and is just 10.28mm thick. The red gold model is paired with an opaline dial, while the stainless steel model has a white dial. Both models are available with an alligator leather strap or a millemaille metal bracelet.
