The Blancpain Lady B, a Small, Spherical and yet Mechanical Wrist-Worn Jewel

With its motto of never producing quartz watches, its manufacturing capabilities and its rich heritage in dive watches, Blancpain is often spontaneously associated with technical, masculine watchmaking. But this overlooks an important chapter in the brand’s history. In the middle of the 20^th century, its development was driven by Betty Fiechter, a remarkable figure at a time when women’s place in society and in the professional world was very different from what it is today. It is precisely a watch that was created in the 1950s that provides the inspiration for Blancpain’s latest creation, the Ladybird collection. Half jewel, half mechanical, the Blancpain Lady B is yet eminently fresh and modern.

The spherical Blancpain Lady B is released to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Ladybird and is specifically inspired by the Bullet version, whose strap was threaded through a slot in the back of the watch, allowing it to be changed in seconds. Blancpain ads from the era present the Ladybird as the “smallest round watch in the world” and a “technical miracle” with a diameter of 11,85mm. These also mention that the watch was powered either by the calibre R55/52 with a traditional crown at 3 o’clock or by the calibre R550/520 with the crown on the back.

The new Blancpain Lady B (B as Betty), the modern take on the concept unveiled by the brand today, is a tiny, spherical, jewel-like mechanical watch with a case that measures 19mm in diameter for a volume of just 2.9 cm³. Available in steel or 18k red gold, its case is a two-part construction with the back almost invisible when it is worn on the wrist. The opaline dial features gold-applied polished stick and hands in steel or gold.

Behind the purity and the apparent simplicity of its design lies sophisticated watchmaking. The Blancpain Lady B is powered by the Manufacture calibre 615. One of the smallest contemporary automatic mechanical movements with a round shape (15.7mm × 3.9mm), it was introduced in 1995. Over the past 30 years, the movement has undergone several enhancements, such as the introduction of a silicon balance spring. Beating at 21,600 vph, its power reserve is given for 40 hours.

The watch comes on an interchangeable double-tour calf leather strap closed by a pin buckle that adds an extra touch of feminine elegance. It is available in a choice of seven colours: white, beige, mocha, burgundy, blue, coral or purple. As the watch has no lugs, it passes directly through the caseback via an opening machined into it. This lets you effortlessly switch up the look, matching the watch to your mood, your outfit or the occasion.

The Blancpain Lady B is released as part of the permanent collection and retails for CHF 9,500 in stainless steel and CHF 14,500 in 18k red gold. For more details, please visit www.blancpain.com.