Introduced at Baselworld 2010, the Blancpain Carrousel Sapphire is quite an impressive timepiece. It features a rose gold case with a sapphire crystal on the front, back and on both sides of the case. It even features a sapphire crystal in place of the plates and dial, which creates the illusion that the movement is floating inside the case. It looks really cool in person. Another key feature, is the carrousel movement (a "carrousel" improves accuracy by negating gravity's effects, much like a tourbillon). A carrousel movement is very difficult to produce, and very rare. Accordingly, the price is what you would pay for a tourbillon, or more.

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This is the new Blancpain Carrousel Répétition Minutes Le Brassus. It is the second part of an ongoing collector series, called Le Brassus. Two years ago, Blancpain presented the Le Brassus one-minute carrousel movement, a world's first (a carrousel, like a tourbillon, negates the effects of gravity to improve watch accuracy). This year, a minute-repeater has been added to the already complicated one-minute carrousel movement. Next year, another complication will be added, followed by an additional complication each year thereafter.

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Introduced at Baselworld 2010, this watch is like the original Blancpain Super Trofeo Flyback Chronograph watch introduced at Baselworld 2009, except for a few changes. The case is polished titanium, instead of DLC treated steel. It biggest change is the addition of a carbon fiber dial and lugs. The in-house flyback chronograph is unchanged, as is the layout of the dial. An Alcantara strap is still included, as is an additional leather strap. Overall, I like the new look, however, I do wonder how durable the lugs will be. If the lugs were made of forged carbon, like what Audemars Piguet uses, I wouldn't worry too much. But considering it is non-forged carbon fiber, there is definitely a chance it may crack in the future, as carbon fiber can crack or bend if there is a lot of pressure on it.

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Baselworld 2010 marks the 275th Anniversary for Blancpain and is the occasion for the debut of a new Villeret Collection. The first timepiece from this new series to be unveiled is a new complete calendar moon-phase model featuring a fully secure calendar mechanism, and under-lug correctors, fitted into a half-hunter red gold case.

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Last week, I had a chance to visit the flagship US Blancpain boutique. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, on Madison Avenue, between 66th and 67th Street. The boutique is fairly small, at about 1000 square feet, but within that space they probably have the widest selection of Blancpain watches in the country.

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At the 32nd edition of the International Boat show, next week, Blancpain will launch its brand new 500 Fathoms diver's watch. And the manufacture from Le Brassus is presenting a world first at the Blancpain booth: a 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009 limited series of 50 dedicated to sea-lovers.

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For the third Only Watch charity auction, Blancpain unveils a one-of-a-kind 500 Fathoms model. The exceptional 500 Fathoms Only Watch N°1/1 was conceived and developed specifically for this cause.

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Blancpain President and CEO, Marc Hayek (above) competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo racing series.

"For the third Super Trofeo competition, Blancpain brought its high-speed Gallardo LP560-4 to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium . As title sponsor, Blancpain once again salutes the remarkable performance of its President and CEO Marc A. Hayek , racing in the company of co-driver Peter Kox from The Netherlands. The two experienced drivers took third place in the 1st race of this leg."

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