Watch Review | Blancpain L-evolution

Blancpain continues its inexorable pursuit of innovation in the realm of haute horologerie,the watchmaker has trained its extensive expertrise on writing a new chapter in its history, titled "L-evolution".The manufactured based in Le Brassus ,Switzerland ,introduced the L-evolution with a quartet of timepiece: the Tourbillon , Automatique 8 Jours, Moon phase 8 Jours, and Alarm GMT. In addition to the family name , they also share sleek resemblance with 43.5 cases.


Automatique 8 Jours

An appropriate introduction to the L-evolution is the Automatique 8 Jours, contains the new movement Caliber 13R5 ,that delivers eight days (192 hours) of power reserve. To heighten the movement's precision , the company adds tiny screws to its balance rim , which can be finely tuned. The new caliber measures 30.6mm x 4.57mm and has 36 jewels and 243 components.

This timepiece has a dial with a cut-out central opening that reveals the baseplate’s Côtes de Genève decoration. But the first things you’re likely to notice are the oversized , three-dimensional Arabic 3 and 9. The case is fitted with new detachable lugs, a feature that facilitates attaching a metal bracelet. This timepiece is available in steel or red gold versions with a rubber-lined black or brown strap in alligator leather and a triple-blade folding clasp.

Movement :

automatic caliber 13R5, 8 days power reserve, 36 jewels, 243 components

Functions:

center seconds , date at 6 (can be change at anytime without damaging the mechanism), power reserve indicator at 12.

Case:

steel or red gold, 43.5 mm , thickness 13.4mm ,sapphire crystal caseback, water resistance 100 meters.

Strap:

rubber -lined black alligator leather , rubber- lined brown alligator leather strap.

Priced :$17,300 in steel and $32,600 in red gold.


Moon Phase 8 Jours

This model features Blancpain’s new Caliber 66R9 includes a lunar indicator, complete calendar and power reserve.This new version pairs the movement's mechanism beauty with a multi- level dials decorated with Cotes de Geneve.The dial also features a pair of beveled openings that are used to frame the day of the week and the month. The movement measures 32mm x 7.6mm and has 325 components including 36 jewels.
Movement :

automatic Caliber 66R9 , 8 days power reserve ,36 jewels , 325 components ,flat balance spring , titanium balance with micrometric adjustment screws, high density gold oscillating weight, finely circular grained mainplate , bevelled and polished parts , cotes paraboliques motif, bevelled bridges.

Functions:

small seconds and moonphase at 6 , day and month at 12 , date ring , original date correction system ,power reserve indicator at 12.

Case :

steel or red gold, 43.5 mm , thickness 15.55 mm ,sapphire crystal caseback, water resistance 100 meters.

Strap:

rubber -lined black alligator leather , rubber- lined brown alligator leather strap.

Priced :$22,100 in steel and $37,400 in red gold.


Alarm GMT

Blancpain temps modern travelers with the Alarm GMT , a very elegant design that combines a second time zone display with an alarm . More than practical , the watch highlights the movement’s groundbreaking winding system . unlike similar models that require the alarm to be wound separately, Alarm GMT’s automatic winding mechanism powers the ,movement and alarm simultaneously.

The L-evolution Alarm GMT is powered by Caliber 1241H which was introduced in 2003. This 407-component movement took 4 years to develop. It has twin barrels: one to power the watch and one to power the alarm. The alarm hand and date are interdependent with the local time zone display.

Like the other L-evolution models, the Alarm GMT dial creates a multi-level effect. The lower-level cut-away reveals the underlying vertical Côtes de Genève. On the upper level, a skeletonized cut-out features a small 9 o’clock numeral and a larger 3 o’clock numeral. It also displays the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, the alarm hour and minute indication at 8 o’clock, as well as the alarm power reserve between 10 and 12 o’clock. The rim of the dial incorporates the 24-hour dual time-zone display.

Movement:

automatic caliber 1241H, 40 hours power reserve , 38 jewels , 407 components, twin barrel , one for rate , one for alarm.

Functions:

small seconds at 6, GMT dual time zone, date at 8(indexed to second time zone, mechanical alarm reserve indicator between 10 and 12 ),power reserve indicator at 1.

Case:

steel or red gold, 43.5 mm , thickness 13.75 mm ,sapphire crystal, water resistance 100 meters.

Strap:

rubber -lined black alligator leather , rubber- lined brown alligator leather strap.

Priced : $23,000 in steel and $38,400 in red gold.


Tourbillon GMT

Lastly the L-evolution Tourbillon GMT , which combines two of today’s most popular complications. This unique timepiece is powered by Blancpain’s new automatic winding Caliber 5025 with 8 day power reserve. L-evolution styling cues are evident in the form of oversized numerals at 3 and 6 and dial cut-outs revealing vertical Côtes de Genève on the baseplate and framing the tourbillon opening and the second time zone display. Available in white or red gold case ,only a limited of 99 pieces will be available in each color .
Movement:

automatic Caliber 5025, 8 day power reserve, 33 jewels ,304 components.

Functions:

double hand date display at 9 , flying tourbillion at 12 ,GMT dual time zone.

Case:

white gold or red gold, 43.5 mm , thickness 13.45 mm ,sapphire crystal caseback , water resistance 100 meters.

Strap:

rubber -lined black alligator leather , rubber- lined brown alligator leather strap.

Priced: $129,500 in red gold and $134,300 in white gold.