Saviors of The Mechanical Movement..

[Richard Tracy]

Hi,

I thought some of you may find this article interesting, especially those that

have an instinctual dislike of Quartz Watches.

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, Known as "the father of the chronograph"

His House, boasts a famous and oft-repeated slogan:

"Since 1735, there has never been a quartz Blancpain watch. And there never will be." This bold statement, however, is more than just a slogan; it is a guiding principle of this unique company…a sincere dedication to excellence, which has earned Blancpain numerous accolades over the years.

In 1971 the world was being flooded with cheap quartz watches from Asia which just about killed the mechanical watch.

Many specialists were predicting the death of the mechanical due to the arrival of quartz. The traditional watchmaker’s art and know-how was rapidly falling into decline.

Then At a moment when the Swiss watch industry was betting everything on quartz and beginning to destroy its production equipment and, in part, the culture of the mechanical watch, Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet, who agreed that traditional mechanical watches still possessed a surprising and indeed highly promising lease on life, combined forces on January 9, 1983, to revive the Blancpain Company two and a half centuries after its foundation. Close scrutiny of all available records confirmed to Jean-Claude Biver that there never had been such a thing as a Blancpain quartz watch. And none will exist in the future. Jacques Piguet, the son of Frédéric Piguet, the reputed maker of rough movements, or blanks, stood ready to contribute his very considerable expertise.

Vital watchmaking information and secrets were saved just in time, treasures from the past that had not yet been destroyed or set aside. At Frédéric Piguet’s in the Vallée de Joux, a large number of old movements were found for which there were no plans at all. After studying them individually, plans were created for each of these movements.

By turning to the past to relive the beginnings of watchmaking as it existed among the isolated farms of the Jura, Blancpain was able to allow the culture of mechanical watchmaking to endure, as well as the traditional watchmaker’s art of the region and of an entire country.

Biver's strategy was a success: today, the Blancpain workshop and headquarters retains the charm of a tranquil farm house, yet within this unassuming factory are created some of the world's most complicated, desired and expensive watches. Graduates from the finest Swiss watchmaking schools are recruited into the ranks of the House following their apprenticeship to a Master Watchmaker. In keeping with tradition, watchmakers employed by Blancpain do not work in assembly line fashion; rather, each watchmaker will personally build "their" watch from beginning to end.

Production is extremely limited, with fewer than 10,000 watches per year being produced. Needless to say, each watch is individually numbered and recorded in the company's archives. Boxes, straps and buckles are of the highest possible quality, in keeping with the company's strict emphasis on quality. As for the movements, they are designed and crafted completely in-house, and based exclusively on high-quality ebauches that are provided by their sister company, Frederic Piguet. Since Piguet and Blancpain share the same building, it might be said that a Blancpain watch features an in-house movement.

Where the company distinguishes itself the most, however, is in its adamant devotion to the mechanical wristwatch. Since the company's rebirth, only mechanical watches, in round watch cases, are produced. These are not "trendy" watches, but rather, classical in their styling and timeless in their elegance. Among the company's most recognizable products are Ref. 1106, a manual wind wristwatch with 100 hour winding reserve; the Fifty Fathoms, a contemporary version of the company's classic diving watch; an 18K "Half Hunter" wristwatch featuring a hinged sapphire crystal back; and the "1735" which combines the six complications offered by the company into one watch.

The "1735" is an automatic chronograph with split-second chronograph, tourbillon, perpetual calendar with phases of the moon, and minute repeater -- a masterpiece that took more than six years to design and build. It is also a fitting tribute to the company's founder, and an equally appropriate symbol of the company's ongoing mission - to create the very finest timepieces for discriminating collectors.

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[bkatbamna]

Nice read. JC Biver is making a Big Bang(pun intended) with Hublot. On Timezone.com he personally answers questions and arranges free service on the Hublot Forum.

[Canuck88]

Blancpain 50 fathoms - someone make it happen!!

[thomasng]

I love Blancpain, I used to have a Flyback Chrono. The X-71 bracelet they make is the best bracelet out there in the world. I respect them for not making a quartz watch, but what always got me about Blancpain was the stop in production a few decades ago. Although, they do have some damn nice complications, and the design is modern with class. And they go for good prices on secondary market too.

[chrgod]

A nice read, thanks for sharing!

It is always interesting to read about the history of all the different Swiss manufactures, and the interactions with the American and English factories..

The Quartz race in the late sixties/ early seventies bought along a couple of good/ futuristic looking watches. Since the basis of the whole business was shaken, we got all kind of "jump hour" digital style mechanical watches, flashing electronic led's and fancy stuff... Collectors items in their own right.

Lately, I have been consideing an early Girard Perregaux battery powered watch. Not quartz, but a transition model where the balance wheel is electrical powered. To me, this is an interesting model in watch history, and relatively cheap.

Personally, I like quartz watches... Much more rugged, better time keeping, cheaper, takes a beating... all over easier to live with... I prefer a quartz chronograh replica with funtional chronograph before those stupid automatic day/month "chronographs"..

For me, mechanical watches is a bit like the car manufacturer Morgan, they sells well on their "old fashion", and does not try to compete with modern sports cars... A special taste..

Nevertheless, I have the obligatory Omega Seamaster Pro and Submariner and enjoy them both. :-)

[KB]

Great find Kevin, I found that to be an interesting read.

Thank you

Ken

[dcrooz]

That was interesting, thanks!

[Pugwash]

Personally, I like quartz watches... Much more rugged, better time keeping, cheaper, takes a beating... all over easier to live with... I prefer a quartz chronograh replica with funtional chronograph before those stupid automatic day/month "chronographs"..

I keep a cheap Timberland Quartz Chronograph to set my mechanical reps to. Its accuracy has a value.

[fitmic]

Very interresting.

[cornerstone]

Not wanting to appear too cynical - but this is, of course, advertising spiel and PR puff. Blancpain according to Blancpain.

Ironically (because of Blancpain's views on quartz) I used to have to write exactly this kind of spiel on "the wonders of quartz"

Regardless of all that - very informative and interesting. Thank you!

[Watchmeister]

Blancpain and IWC both fall into that category of fabulous watchmakers without the noise of super slick marketing, I do have to say that the artticle is of course a little self-serving as I did not see Patek or Vacheron dropping their mechanical movements at that time. AP though was one of the first to jump on that quartz bandwagon. But if you are going to own a quartz it has to be a Seiko. They invented it and perfected it.

[robertk]

I'm a guy who likes the old Morgans, Jensen's, Maserati's, etc. . I can actually work on them, unlike my newer car.

Same with Watches (I don't work on them, but appreciate their mechanical excellence, even rep movements).

But, like new cars, Quartz is more reliable. Not better, just more reliable.