By Kien Lee
Blancpain has opened a new frontier in the world of grand complications with the unveiling of the Grande Double Sonnerie.
This masterpiece represents a world premiere that transcends the traditional boundaries of horology by offering two selectable melodies chosen via a pusher on the case. The wearer can switch between the classic four-note Westminster chime and an original melody composed specifically for this project by rock star Eric Singer of KISS.
The project began eight years ago when President and CEO Marc A. Hayek set the brand on a course to develop a grande sonnerie that would go beyond merely joining the ranks of others who have produced this rarest of complications.
His vision was to create a watch that announces the time with notes formed into a genuine melody rather than the standard two-tone sequence. This ambitious goal required the development of a movement with four distinct hammers to produce the notes Mi, Sol, Fa, and Si.
The technical challenges were immense as the pitch of each note must be perfect for them to be played together in a melody. To achieve this concert-level precision, Blancpain's watchmakers utilized lasers to measure the frequency of vibrations and adjust the gongs. The tempo is governed by a silent magnetic regulator which ensures greater stability than traditional constructions.
On the hour, the watch offers an extended performance by playing the hours followed by all four quarters to showcase the full melody.
This acoustic marvel is housed within a 47 mm case crafted from red or white gold and features a dial-less display that reveals the intricate 1,053-component movement. The design integrates a flying tourbillon and a retrograde perpetual calendar that has been entirely reimagined to fit within the open architecture.
The calendar indications are positioned along the perimeter and on dedicated subdials to ensure the view of the sonnerie remains unobstructed.
The finishing is nothing short of spectacular with 26 bridges and the mainplate crafted in 18 ct gold to highlight the beauty of the handwork. Each timepiece is a unique creation assembled from start to finish by a single watchmaker over the course of nearly a full year.
To complete the sensory experience, the watch is presented in a case crafted from resonance spruce sourced from the Risoud forest which acts as a natural soundboard to amplify the chime.
