Blancpain | Watches for sale, auction results and history

Blancpain is the oldest surviving watchmaking brand in the world. Founded in Switzerland in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the company is best known for its exquisite craftsmanship, horological innovation and commitment to traditional watchmaking techniques. Today, early examples of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms model and the 1735 Grande Complication wristwatch are among the most prized Blancpain watches at auction.

Jehan-Jacques Blancpain set up his first workshop in his home in Villeret in 1735. In 1815, his great-grandson Frédéric-Louis Blancpain modernised the Villeret atelier to increase productivity and quality. He also modified the watch escapement design and developed Blancpain’s signature ultra-thin construction.

In 1830, as industrialisation took hold, Frédéric-Louis’s son launched the construction of the largest watch factory in Villeret. In 1932, the family business was taken over by Betty Fiechter, who would go on to become the first female CEO of a leading watchmaking company.

During the 20th century, Blancpain introduced new complications including the Blancpain moon phase indicator and the world’s smallest minute-repeater movement. It also revived interest in the tourbillon mechanism. Watches with the Blancpain tourbillon mechanism now feature in all the brand’s major collections.

The 20th century also saw the launch of Blancpain’s most famous watches. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms model was first introduced in 1953 and has since been reimagined many times. Produced in collaboration with the elite French diving corps, it was revered for its robust construction, water-resistant level and dial-mounted internal humidity indicators. The Fifty Fathoms collection also includes the Blancpain Barakuda and a range of Blancpain Bathyscaphe models. Today, a Fifty Fathoms watch is a mainstay of many important Blancpain dive watch collections.

Firmly anchored in tradition, the Blancpain Villeret collection features models with minimalist dials, timeless design and complications, such as moon phase indicators. The Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet embodies Blancpain’s classic design ethos.

The Blancpain Air Command models are distinguished by their vintage military design and two separate timekeeping features: a Blancpain flyback chronograph function and a countdown bezel.

First introduced in the mid 1990s, the Blancpain Leman series is now one of the brand’s most recognisable watch families. Leman watches have an elegant yet sporty design and often feature several complications, including chronographs and moon phase indicators. Signature Leman models include the Blancpain Aqua Lung and the Blancpain Aqua Lung Grande Date, which was first introduced in 2005.

When it comes to Blancpain women’s watches, the Ladybird models are among the most elegant and refined. Blancpain Ladybird watches are assembled by hand and finished exclusively with mechanical movements.

Blancpain watch prices vary significantly at auction. The top price for a Blancpain watch at Christie’s was achieved in 2007, when a rare limited-edition Blancpain minute repeater wristwatch sold for HKD 2,040,000.