Blancpain’s 2026 edition of the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel brings the Chinese Zodiac Fire Horse to life
Blancpain launched its 15th interpretation of the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel to mark the Year of the Fire Horse in 2026.
This latest edition builds on a legacy that began in 2012, when the maison unveiled its first Chinese Zodiac timepiece. That inaugural model featured not only a perpetual calendar and Blancpain’s signature moon phase but also an intricate Chinese calendar mechanism that tracks the days, months and leap months, the 12-year Zodiac cycle, Chinese hours of 120 minutes rather than the conventional 60, and the 60-year cycle of the elements and Yin and Yang.
Developed for over five years, the inaugural timepiece set the foundation for what has since become an annual tradition, with a new interpretation released to mark each Chinese New Year.
The highlight of the 2026 edition is the Fire Horse engraved on the rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The Zodiac appears to be in full gallop, a poetic reference to the Chinese imperial legend of the heavenly steed Tianma, the mythical, winged horse, which symbolises speed, dynamism and nobility. To complete the look, a natural ruby and Chinese characters of “horse” and “fire” also adorn the rotor.
What also sets this Horse timepiece apart from its predecessors is its salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel dial—a first for the Chinois Traditionnel—complete with a chapter ring composed of gold appliques and main minutes and hour hands shaped like hollowed leaves. Of course, the dial is adorned with the Chinese Calendar, a Gregorian date and moon phase. Chinese double hours and a small window for the Zodiac is located at 12 o’clock.
The Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel is powered by the in-house calibre 3638, offering a seven-day power reserve and comprising 469 components, all housed in a 45.2 mm platinum case. This 2026 edition is limited to just 50 pieces worldwide.
Go further with the Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel.
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