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Lot #1737

Blancpain Villeret Split Second Chronograph 1186 Platinum

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Introduction

Following the sale of the Rayville-Blancpain name to Jacques Piguet and Jean Claude Biver in 1983, Blancpain began a journey from near-bankruptcy to acting as one of the main catalysts that saved Swiss watchmaking. Key to this success was Blancpain’s steadfast dedication to mechanical watches with thin complicated movements, classical designs, and extremely luxurious craftsmanship. As part of their celebration of these three tenets, Blancpain launched the Platinum Masterpiece Collection in the early 1990s. This was a collection of six different Villeret models, each limited to 99 pieces that shared platinum 34mm constructions, white dials, and incredibly impressive mechanical movements that each housed a different complication. Offered here, we have the split-second chronograph variant, the ref. 1186, powered by its eponymous automatic spit-second chronograph movement, the cal. 1186. Launched in 1988, the cal. 1186 was Blancpain’s first foray into the world of rattrapante chronograph movements, and it was even the very first automatic split-second chronograph movement ever, which earned it its revered place within Blancpain’s history and thus deserving of a spot in the Platinum Masterpiece Collection. Incredibly thin, the cal. 1186 allows the ref. 1186 to stand just 6.75mm – an incredible achievement considering its complexity and craftsmanship.

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Grade

M 8.5

Status

Vetted & Approved

Included

Watch Only

Est. value range

$8,000 – $12,000

The Details

Brand

Blancpain

Dimensions

34mm x 6.75mm

Model

Villeret Split Second Chronograph

Movement

Automatic cal. 1186

Reference

1186

Bracelet

Leather strap with original PT buckle

Year

Circa 1992

Condition

Excellent

Material

Platinum

Included

Watch Only

Dial Color

White

THE DIAL

Fitted with a bright white dial, the ref. 1186's aesthetic is that of clean elegance thanks to its refined inscriptions and appealing Roman numerals.

THE CONSTRUCTION

While coming in at a rather svelte 34mm in diameter, the ref. 1186's platinum case still contains an impressive heft on the wrist with a rich vintage flair thanks to its stepped bezel, pump pushers and straight lugs.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT

This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.

Condition

Watch is in very good overall condition. There are some minor dings and scratches along the surface of the case, as visible in the images. The caseback engravings and hallmarks are sharp and visible, with the lightest of surface wear. The white dial is in near-mint condition with no visible deterioration. The strap comes with the original platinum tang buckle.

Please Note: Due to CITES considerations, if the watch is to be shipped outside of the USA, the exotic skin strap will have to be removed.

Our Perspective

An incredibly understated watch harboring one of the most technically impressive movements in all of watchmaking, the ref. 1186 contains everything that Blancpain have come to stand for since their re-emergence as one of horology's most important brands.

Sam Hines

Managing Director