Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch

The Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time "Marchante" watch is a remarkable achievement within the field of haute horologerie, reaffirming Blancpain's status as a watch Manufacture of the highest order. For the very first time, the world is presented with a watch that shows both the equation of time, and a running display that indicates the precise difference between Civil (Mean) time and True Solar time on a daily basis. 

Over the centuries, the equation of time complication has been featured on certain prestigious watches, usually in accordance with a perpetual calendar---this equation complication, distinguished by a hand that covered a plus and a minus scale, indicated the difference between a true solar day and a so-called civil day (the way most of us read time, with the days split evenly into 24 hour periods), a discrepancy which can vary within a range of minus sixteen (-16) to plus fifteen (+15) minutes at various points throughout the year, with coincidence between the two occurring only four days throughout. 

However,the Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch represents the first wrist timepiece to successfully indicate both Solar time as well as Civil time, simultaneously, in addition to merely showing the precise numerical value that separates them; the result is both completely comprehensible, and visually beautiful. 

The Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch is animated by the selfwinding 3863 Calibre. Comprising nearly 400 individual components, each meticulously finished by hand, this movement features an ingenious differential mechanism with satellite gearing, that engages the gear train for the civil minute hand, the gear train for the time equation, and finally, a pinion which propels the sun hand.  Looking at the watch, the indications are extremely simple to grasp; in addition to the normal minute hand, the golden sun-tipped hand indicates solar minutes, and the mathematical difference between the two can be obtained from the plus/minus scale found on the upper right hand portion of the dial. If this tour-de-force of mechanics wasn't enough by itself, the remarkable movement of the the Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch also incorporates a perpetual calendar which indicates day of the week, date, month, and the leap year cycle, as well as retrograde phases of the moon. Visible through the exhibition sapphire caseback, the movement displays unique decorations specific to this very special model---intricate radiating lines which resemble the rays of the sun adorn all visible surfaces of the bridges, whose edges are rounded in the traditional anglage technique. 

The automatic-winding rotor is a veritable work of art--crafted from gold, it is relieved entirely by hand, and features a charmingly rendered smiling image of the Sun, along with the Moon and a star. The silvered dial of this watch combines classical detail--such as Roman numerals and svelte leaf shaped hands--with technical fascination, as the cutaway portion of the dial at six o'clock allows the wearer a glimpse into the mechanism, most notably the ellipsoidal wheel which completes one full rotation per year, and is responsible for governing the equation of time complication. The Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch is a technical marvel, as well as a tribute to the fascination inherent in exceptional watchmaking. Offered exclusively in a finely polished round 42mm platinum case, only 50 pieces of the stunning Blancpain Le Brassus Equation of Time Marchante watch will be made.