The soft, vibrant Ladybird Colours, available in seven variations, pays tribute to a key timepiece in Blancpain’s history.
The white mother-of-pearl dial is adorned with slightly rounded applied gold Arabic numerals, sized to form an asymmetrical hour circle crowned by the number 12. A band of diamonds highlights the hour-markers while embracing the hands, those displaying the hours and minutes are shaped like hollowed-out sage leaves.
The red or white gold case has also been carefully designed to guarantee harmonious proportions. Its 34.9 mm diameter ensures a generous display of the watch’s finery, while at the same time offering flexibility and adjusting to a wide range of wrists. It is further distinguished by a bezel, lugs, and crown set with 59 diamonds totalling over 2 carats.
A true jewellery watch, the Ladybird Colours features high-end gem-setting in which each parameter is meticulously hand-crafted. Before placing the gems in the holes created for this purpose, the gemsetters hollow out the material using scorpers to create a thin clean-cut band of precious metal (fillet) on either side of the diamonds.
Known as “recutting”, this step is important because it has a considerable influence on the brilliance of the model by producing a mirror effect. The diamonds are precisely aligned one by one so that their facets reflect the light in unison. The artisans then push back the beads formed from the precious metal over the gems to hold them in place.
They then manually work the separation between the beads in order to perfect their creation. This must be done with great accuracy to avoid damaging the stones. Only the most experienced gemsetters are able to achieve the consistent separations, beads, and fillets that are the hallmark of splendour and quality.
The demanding level of finishing applied to the dial and case of the Ladybird Colours is reflected in its movement, in-house Calibre 1150, which is renowned for its slenderness and its generous four-day power reserve, as well as its silicon balance spring. Rich in both structure and contrasts, it combines a circular-grained mainplate with chamfered, satin-brushed bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif.
So as to offer the clearest possible view of these aesthetic details, Blancpain has developed an open-worked gold oscillating weight, matching the circular patterns of the watch face. Viewed from both front and back, this model sparkles thanks to a rose-cut diamond fitted on the crown. The Ladybird Colours bring a fresh elegance through seven colourful case and strap combinations.
According to personal preference, the red gold model is available with a choice of peacock green, midnight blue, or satin-white alligator leather strap, while the white gold version can be paired with a lemon yellow, tangerine orange, lilac, or satin-white alligator leather strap. This array of colours, which inspired the model’s name, symbolise diversity, enthusiasm, and joy. Each wristband is fitted with a gold pin buckle or folding clasp set with nine diamonds.
For more information, visit blancpain.com.
