Baselworld 2010 Blancpain Villeret Half-Hunter Moon Phase

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Here is a preview from Blancpain this year for Baselworld 2010 – the Blancpain Villeret Moon Phase with “half-hunter” style case.

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The watch – a complete calendar model with moon-phase display – has cleverly designed “under-lug” correctors which allow the owner to adjust the calendar indications very easily…not to mention the design benefits of taking buttons off the side of the case!  Also, this model features an also impressive method for adjusting the indications which allows them to be adjusted regardless of the time of day (typically one must be careful when adjusting calendar indications on a watch as doing so at the wrong time can damage the movement). The case is 40mm, red-gold and is hinged on the back side (this is called “half-hunter” style) which allows you to see the Blancpain Caliber 6654 movement.  More below the fold…

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This watch – and hopefully the entire Villeret collection – is a welcome addition to the Blancpain lineup and seems to be a much better direction than some of the watches they released in recent years.  I and others have been less than impressed with some of Blancpain’s dial designs (see my article on FratelloWatches panning brand’s new L-evolution series watches (but praising the Blancpain Caliber 66R9)) but this new Villeret looks pretty good with raised, slightly stylized red-gold roman numerals and a patterned dial.  Here’s a look at the caseback.