Famed as horology’s oldest watchmakers, Blancpain’s reputation is that of unbridled craftsmanship, quality and luxury. With an eye for impeccable design, their timepieces have sat on the wrists of some of history’s most influential people. Standing as a marker of the brand’s success over the centuries, the Villeret collection pays homage to Blancpain’s heritage as it is named after the brand’s birthplace. Offered here, we have the Villeret Ultra-Thin ref. 4795 in 18kt yellow gold. The watch boasts a white dial with applied Roman numerals in case-matching 18kt yellow gold throughout the dial’s periphery. Leaning into the mechanical excellence that Blancpain are known for, the Villeret collection is famed its classical constructions and typically complicated movements, of which the example that we have here features, but only subtly with a sunken pointer date subdial at 6 o’clock hinting at Blancpain’s mechanical craftsmanship. With stepped bezel; the Villeret’s overall aesthetic is of refined luxury as the watch leans on Blancpain’s heritage in abundance and champions it to great effect while utilizing a luxurious construction that draws immediate comparisons to the craftsmanship that we expect from a watchmaker like Blancpain. Measuring 34mm in diameter and only 7.5mm tall, this dress watch is intensely elegant on the wrist, exactly how Blancpain’s timepieces are meant to be.

The watch is in overall very good condition. The yellow gold case remains well defined, with some light scratches visible. The gold lip surrounding the display caseback has visible scratches and marks, and the original gold hallmarks are no longer visible. The backs of the lugs feature crisp, fully legible hallmarks. The white dial has some light surface marks, most noticeably within the small calendar indicator, while the gold hands are very clean. The watch is fitted with a navy leather strap and a yellow gold Blancpain pin buckle, both in excellent condition.

A subtle dress watch with Blancpain's signature understated aesthetic with a hint of complication, the Villeret Ulta-Thin embodies what the watchmaker has been all about since it was revived by Jean-Claude Biver in the 1980s.