New, Softer Colour Schemes for the Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate 38mm

Alongside the sporty Fifty Fathoms, Bathyscaphe or Air Command collections, the Villeret range, named after the village in the Vallée de Joux, where Jehan-Jacques Blancpain set up his workshop on the top floor of his house in 1735, is the epitome of classic. Ranging from time-only to high complications, the entry-level model to the Villeret collection is an elegant, sleek watch named the Ultraplate. Available in 40mm and, more importantly in 38mm, we’ve seen some first hints of redesign with the 2025 Golden Hour Series. Now, the same recipe, which consists of warm tones, softer textures and near-perfect proportions, is applied to the Villeret Ultraplate 38mm.

For a long time, the Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate was available in a case measuring 40mm. Perhaps that was in line with the expectations of the 2010s, but such large, thin watches are no longer what collectors are looking for in a sleek dress watch. This is why Blancpain, in 2020, released a new series of its entry-level Villeret model in a more compact 38mm case, while measuring only 8.35mm in thickness. The lug-to-lug, given at 43.35mm, also enables discretion on the wrist, with a watch that can easily be worn by most and disappear under a sleeve.

For this year, the case dimensions are untouched, but the case has been lightly reshaped to be in line with the 40mm versions, which are still available – if ever you prefer a slightly larger watch. Polished, soft and equipped with a stepped bezel, the Villeret Ultraplate 38mm is elegant and restrained, exactly what you want for a dressier watch. Available in polished stainless steel or 18k rose gold, the watch is never overdressed or underdressed, and the new elements of design give it a fresher, less formal attire.

Most of the changes for the Villeret Ultraplate 38mm collection are to be seen on the dial. For the first time, a sunray-brushed salmon dial, combined with a steel case, is part of the Villeret collection. It is paired with a grey strap that offsets the copper, rose and gold of the dial, but matches the darkened effect of the 18k white gold hands and markers. The three other references opt for a smooth opaline finish applied to a light gold, beige-like colour. This quieter dial is available in three references: stainless steel with white gold dial accents, 18k rose gold with matching hands and markers, and a slightly bolder boutique-only edition that pairs its golden dial with a steel case, yellow gold accents on the dial and an olive-toned strap.

Just like the Golden Hour Series, the dial has been lightly redesigned, too. The Roman numerals, resized for visual balance, are solid gold with satin-finished upper surfaces and polished bevels on the edges. The traditional XII gives way to the JB monogram, for Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. The slender leaf-shaped hands also carry a thin line of Super-LumiNova, and a 3 o’clock larger date window helps with daily use.

On the back of the watch is the classic, in-house automatic Calibre 1150. This powerful movement, with 4 days of power reserve, is equipped with a silicon hairspring. Steel models have a new yellow gold openworked rotor, while the red gold version features a colour-matched oscillating weight. The decoration is elegant, with polished bevels and Geneva stripes. All watches are worn on a nubuck alligator leather strap (in beige, anthracite, honey or olive-green), closed by a folding clasp. A tool-free, interchangeable strap and buckle system is also included.

Released as part of the permanent collection, the new Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate 38mm collection comes at a relatively accessible price (compared to the rest of the collection), starting at CHF 9,600 in steel up to CHF 19,700 in 18k red gold. Note that the steel model with yellow gold accents on the dial is a boutique edition. For more details, please visit www.blancpain.com.