UNDER CUPID’S CARESS
Blancpain has harmoniously married mother-of-pearl, diamonds and rubies to symbolise poetic (and mechanical!) love in an emotional celebration of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers.
If there is one date that must not be missed in the lovers’ diary, it is Saint Valentine’s Day, which comes around on February 14th each year. Blancpain has saved the romantic date by adding a new timepiece to the Women collection, filled with touching symbols and precious materials. The Ultraplate Saint Valentin 2018 comes in a limited edition of 99 pieces highlighting a poetic spirit and mechanical know-how.
Its opaline dial is made of white mother-of-pearl, and is flecked with brilliant-cut diamonds and rubies using the “star set” technique. 19 white stones are set between the hour rim and the centre of the dial, while 4 red gems are placed at the cardinal points (at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock). As the hours and minutes pass, these precious stones symbolising eternal love and passion are caressed by a couple of leaf-shaped open-work hands. The seconds, meanwhile, are shown with a stylised second hand displaying the outline of an arrow piercing a red-lacquered heart. Naturally, it is impossible to forget the little Cupid on Saint Valentine’s Day!
A moon phase rounds off this sparkling picture, delicately placed in a tilted counter between 6 and 7 o’clock and raised by a silver chamfer. The moon phase includes a disc representing the queen of the night in the midst of a starry sky.
The case of the Ultraplate Saint Valentin 2018 is 29.20mm wide and 10.35mm thick; the bezel and horns are covered in almost 70 diamonds, while the rounded and fluted crown houses a single stone cut in the shape of a rose. This steel setting contains the calibre 913L made by Blancpain, providing 55 hours of power reserve.
Price on request blancpain.com
By Sharmila Bertin