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Magnus (Moderator)
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Friday 06 July 2007 4:55:30 pm
BASEL NEWS 2007: The NEW CALIBRE 1315, Blancpain's step into a promising future!
Dear All:
I mentioned it already in the my article about the newly introduced 50 fathoms collection:
http://www.blancpainforum.com/for...entation_of_the_new_50_fathom_series
Blancpain introduced a new, robust automatic calibre, which is intended to provide the foundation for all the thrilling complications to come (hint, hint...!), the Cal. 1315:
If you take a look at this movement, you might think: what??? Such a 'naked' piece of metal?
Relax, there is much more hidden inside! Allow me to summarise the technical specifications:
- Exclusive movement, automatic winding
- Diameter 30,6 mm
- Thickness 5,65 mm
- Power Reserve 120 h (three barrels)
- Free-sprung Glucydur balance
- Rubies 35
- Components 222 handfinished parts
- high-end, "industrial" finish
This movement is derived from the hand-wound Calibre 13R0 presented in October 2006. Simplicity, precision and performance were the aims the watchmakers had in mind when conceiving this movement, which was from the outset intended to serve in Blancpain's sports watches. Even its dimensions tell us it is not the ultra-flat construction we are used from Blancpain.
The mainsprings are fed with energy by an automatic winding sytems featuring an extremely dense bimetallic rotor ensuring excellent winding efficiency. In addition, this movement features most of the characteristics that made the 13R0 such a truly exceptional calibre, including its free-sprung balance with no index and no swan’s neck, equipped instead with regulating screws placed around the rim of the balance. This screw-based system promises ideal stability for a sporty watch, since it mitigates the potentially detrimental effect of shocks that could modify the position of the index or the swan’s neck, thereby disturbing the rate. To ensure accurate and efficient adjustment, Blancpain has equipped it with square-headed gold micrometrical screws, enabling the watchmaker to easily visualise the corrections he/she is making. Governed by a concern for optimal sturdiness, the balance is crafted from Glucydur, which is heavier than the titanium used in the 13R0:
The Blancpain movement design engineers have also sought to find an effective solution in terms of energy storage. The goal in particular was to endow the watch with an optimal autonomy, while ensuring constant energy at all times. The new Calibre 1315 does indeed have an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. Towards this aim, it has been equipped with three series-coupled barrels just like the Cal. 13R0. Due to the choice of a Glucydur balance, the three mainsprings have been specifically readjusted for this movement.
Another technical refinement lies in the date display on Calibre 1315, enabling fast date-change at midnight in either direction.
The finish might look disappointing, or at 'unexpected', on the first view. Upon closer inspection, however, one realises its finesse in design and execution: straight graining, bevelling, circular-graining and circular satin-brushing clearly speak a language of sophistication. The large jewels contrast the splendid surfaces of plates and bridges, which are adorned with a sunburst motif reflecting that on the rotor.
To avoid any potentially disturbing effects of magnetic fields, the Calibre 1315 powering the 50 Fathoms is enclosed within a cage protecting it on all sides.
My personal comment:
I personally think this movement is a bold statement for Blancpain, just like Cal. 13R0: it clearly conveys the message of sturdyness, be it construction, dimension and optical appearance. This is a highly refined tool, and it does not pretend to be something else.
Blancpain deliberately chose to put emphasis on the issues necessary to achieve this aim, concentrated its resources there and left aside the ones which are considered 'optional'.
It is not a movement intended to be 'spectacular', in the contrary, it promises to be a solid piece of engineering.
Blancpain seems to follow a novel path with this oeuvre, that one of a technical watch manufacturer. This is, once you look deeper, the most fascinating message this technical piece or art has to tell us!
Would you agree?
Cheers,
Magnus
P.S.: Image courtesy Jeff Kingston: Thank you, Jeff!
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