Blancpain celebrates the great beauties of ancient China

Blancpain has designed four new Métiers d'Art watches paying tribute to the great beauties of the Middle Kingdom, all of whom influenced or inspired the rich culture and history of ancient China in their own unique way. 

Beyond the stories that they tell, these timepieces also embody the ancestral expertise handed down through generations of the watchmaker's artisans.

Each model in this new collection highlights a different decorative technique, showcasing the skills and expertise handed down from generation to generation of Blancpain artisans. From champlevé enamel and engraving to shakudō, marquetry and painted enamel, this special series uses some of the most advanced manual decoration techniques.

All four watches feature a 42mm red gold case and use the 13R3A caliber, a manual winding movement promising a power reserve of up to eight days.

While the workings of these exceptional creations are of the utmost interest to watch enthusiasts, attention is likely to focus on their decorative dials, portraying the great beauties of ancient China in painted enamel.

Whether through their appearance or the influence they held over the sovereigns of their day, the four great beauties celebrated in this collection each left their own unique mark on the history and culture of ancient China.

This Blancpain special series features representations of Xi Shi, Diao Chan, Wang Zhaojun and Yang Guifei in scenes directly linked to their lives or legends.

For example, Blancpain's artisans have used champlevé grand feu enamel with solid gold motifs to represent Xi Shi washing at a river's edge.

Shakudō and engraving techniques are used to portray Diao Chan in a night scene with the moon, while marquetry, engraving and champlevé grand feu enamel are used to create the design featuring Wang Zhaojun.