Reunion with Blancpain Villeret Quantiem Complete on Monday morning

Three years ago, I wore the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complete for a short time. The combination of a 40mm steel case with a distinctive stepped bezel, classic white dial, and full calendar caliber proved to be an impressive watch at a competitive price. I wrote that this watch, which bucks the retro trend, is a watch for “timeless, trend-defying, style-savvy individuals who appreciate more sophistication in their lives.” What do you think of the special red gold version paired with the exotic deep green dial?

In warm red gold, the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet ref. 6654A 3653 55B is a completely different creature from its much cooler-looking steel reference. 6654 1127 55B. The steel model (17,550 euros) is a classic calendar watch with a twist. True, there is a twist that does not really go unnoticed. You might expect such a complicated watch to have a white gold or platinum case. Instead, Blancpain decided to create a complication for the “masses.” However, even with the same calendar watch, a case made of precious metals will give it an even more luxurious feel. Of course, the price of 31,550 euros is not a price that will appeal to the masses, but in some ways it still punches above its weight.

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet: A complex piece that actively deceives

A case with a stepped bezel finished in polished red gold, an equally bright green dial with red gold Roman numerals, and a wide 22 mm brown alligator strap with a folding clasp; has numerous openings. In this configuration, the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complete is an impressive watch. But it’s not because of its size. The classic size is quite slender with a diameter of 40mm, length of 44.5mm, and thickness of 10.74mm.

However, the visual impact of this watch is serious and a little misleading. If you don’t know much about watchmaking but know about watch complications, you might be confused by the wealth of information on the dial. In addition to the classic day/month display and pointer date, the presence of a moon phase indicator depicting a starry sky and a caricatured moon may lead you to believe that you are looking at a perpetual calendar.

Put it on your calendar

That’s understandable. The complete calendar caliber displays almost any calendar display. However, there is a crucial difference between it and a perpetual calendar. The former does not recognize changes in the length of months and does not indicate leap year cycles. The fact that the movement doesn’t have to do this makes a big difference from a technical point of view, and this explains the considerable price difference between the two types of calendar watches.

Still, the 4Hz automatic caliber 6654.4, visible in operation through the rear sapphire window, is a fascinating piece of watchmaking. This in-house movement contains 321 parts, including one silicon hairspring. It boasts a 72-hour power reserve and measures 32mm wide and 5.32mm thick. This movement also features gold guilloché rotor and bridge chamfers and stripes for a viewing pleasure.

Don’t be fooled by appearances

From a technical point of view, a full calendar caliber is no better than a perpetual caliber. However, once the case is resolved, the situation changes dramatically. In terms of appearance alone, “QC” is certainly superior to “QP”. The dial here is nice and full, with all the different features clearly visible and well balanced. While the steel version is almost a dated watch, the red gold version is classic with modern touch-ups. Still, both traditionally have complex charm and “deceptive” good looks. My choice is the “more deceptive” one: the Steele reference. This configuration is not as trendy as the green dial one and looks like it will stand the test of time.

What do you think? Do you consider a complete calendar a “budget QP”? You dream of owning a perpetual calendar, one of the most attractive complications, but would you consider it? Let us know in the comments.

For more information on the Villeret Quantième Complet 6654 in steel or red gold, visit the official Blancpain website.

Watch specifications