The Blancpain Ladybird Colours Royal Purple edition embodies a harmonious blend of artistic craftsmanship and advanced mechanical engineering, epitomising the Maison’s prestigious heritage in feminine timepieces that dates back to the 1930s. This exquisite model from the Ladybird collection captures the elegance and allure that Blancpain has cultivated over decades, standing as a testament to its dedication to refined watchmaking. The vibrant hue of royal purple, a new addition to the collection, enriches the Ladybird’s palette, evoking a sense of regality and sophistication that echoes through every meticulous detail and creative flourish embedded in its design.
Central to the Blancpain Ladybird’s captivating presence is the dial, adorned with nacre perlée, the rarest and most distinguished form of mother-of-pearl. This material is derived from select cultured shells, where its subtly iridescent grains are coveted for their ability to refract light with a gentle elegance. The painstaking process of extraction and preparation allows for the creation of a vibrant, textured canvas upon which the watch’s time-telling symphony is orchestrated. Royal purple Roman numerals, meticulously aligned in a circular formation, echo the dial’s opulent tones, while the signature sage leaf-shaped hands glide gracefully across its surface, tracing the hours and minutes with serene precision.
At the core of this horological masterpiece lies the Blancpain Manufacture Calibre 1163L, an automatic movement that embodies the precision and enduring nature of fine watchmaking. This calibre is engineered to provide a robust power reserve of four days, accommodating the wearer’s lifestyle that embraces both elegance and activity. The movement’s petite yet complex construction combines numerous components – 243 in total – within its dimensions of 26.20 mm by 4.58 mm. Its operation at a frequency of 3 Hz ensures a reliable and consistent performance. A sophisticated small seconds feature and a lunar phase indicator augment the timepiece, adding layers of visual intrigue and functionality.
The case of the Ladybird Colours Royal Purple articulates contemporary elegance interwoven with classic design principles, housed in a choice of 18-carat red or white gold. The 34.90 mm silhouette offers a delicate balance, accommodating the intricacies of its interior while remaining supremely wearable and adaptable to various occasions. Over two carats of diamonds embellish the dial, bezel, crown, lugs, and buckle, reflecting an appreciation for sophisticated opulence without compromising on understatement. The sapphire crystal provides an exceptional view of the movement from the back, safeguarding the delicate interplay of components within from water exposure with a water resistance rating of 3 ATM.
Blancpain‘s Ladybird Colours Royal Purple edition emerges as a canvas of horological artistry that reflects the Maison’s enduring dedication to the synthesis of beauty and precision. Its rich colour palette, intricate detailing, and the seamless integration of jewellery-making and watchmaking expertise reinforce the legacy of the Ladybird collection, inviting the wearer to partake in a tradition of luxury that resonates with both historical significance and modern relevance. Such a creation allows one to embrace the pleasurable nuances of time through the exquisite lens of art and technology intertwining, offering an enduring elegance to accompany the contemporary woman.
Ladybird Colors Purple Technical Specifications
- Ref. No. 3662D-1954-55
- Ref. No. 3662E-2954-55
- 30,500 CHF with pin buckle and 32,100 CHF / 37,450 EUR with folding clasp
Movement
- Blancpain Manufacture Calibre 1163L
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, moon phase
- Winding: Automatic winding
- Power Reserve: 4 days
- Dimensions: 26.20 mm × 4.58 mm
- Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour)
- Jewels: 30
- Number of Components: 243
Case
- 18 ct white or red gold
- Crystal and Case Back: Sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM (30 metres)
- Diameter: 34.90 mm
- Thickness: 10.43 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 18.00 mm
Dial
- Nacre perlée
- Hands: Signature sage leaf-shaped hands
- Indexes: Royal purple Roman numerals in two tones
Strap
- Royal purple alligator leather with pin buckle or folding clasp
A feminine watchmaking heritage for nearly a century
Blancpain has a long history in the world of women’s watches. Betty Fiechter, who took the helm of the Maison in 1933 and remained in charge until 1967, became the first woman to own and lead a Swiss watch brand. Under her leadership, Blancpain revolutionised the 1930s by continuing the development of the ‘Rolls’, the first automatic wristwatch for women.
The Ladybird was born in 1956 and marked a turning point: it incorporated the smallest round mechanical movement of the time (the R-52 movement of 11.85 mm) in a minimalist case with the winding crown placed on the back. A bold innovation, counter to an era when women’s watches were discreet, hidden in sophisticated jewellery. The Ladybird has evolved over the years, like in 1995 with the ultra-thin automatic calibre 615, which still equips today’s Ladybird Ultraplate models. This expertise, combining miniaturisation, design, and performance, embodies the DNA of the Ladybird Colors collection.