LIP Blancpain watches were not the first dive watches on the market when they were introduced in 1953. They were, however, the most modern dive wristwatches at that time. The reliability and compactness of Fifty Fathoms models, which were originally designed for military use, became legendary. The reputation earned them the right to be used by armies such as French Navy, Czech, Polish, German federal, some Nordic countries, and also by the US Navy (SEAL, under water demolition team, Frogman).

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Blancpain introduced a very complicated Chinese Calendar timepiece at Baselworld last month. It was, however, the less complicated three hand model that impressed me the most. And although it is not even considered a complication by definition, skeletonization is an art that requires a master watchmaker, just like any highly complicated timepiece.

The Villeret Squelette 8 Jours features a beautifully skeletonized, 157 component, 30 jewel, hand-wound movement. In-house Blancpain caliber 1333SQ is equipped with a titanium balance, a Breguet balance-spring and three series-coupled barrels. Thanks to the three power barrels (mainsprings), the maximum power reserve is an impressive 8-days (192-hours).

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At Baselworld last month, Blancpain presented the first wristwatch equipped with a traditional Chinese calendar. The Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar is a perpetual calendar, but instead of displaying the typical Gregorian calendar, it displays the Chinese calendar.

The Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar timepiece comes in a 45 mm diameter platinum case, with a cabochon-cut ruby fitted into the crown. Five integrated under-lug correctors allow the wearer to adjust the indications. The Villeret collection's signature features are incorporated into the design: its double-stepped shape, a grand feu enamel dial with a chapter ring composed of gold appliques ,and indications transferred before the firing process, the main hands shaped like slightly hollowed leaves and the blued steel Gregorian date pointer appearing in the traditional serpentine form.

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Blancpain has just introduced what they claim to be the most high performance mechanical dive watch in the world. The X Fathoms is not the deepest diver in the world, not even close, but it does have a number of professional diving features that make their claim plausible.

The X Fathom's coolest feature is a mechanical depth gauge, shown in the central of the dial via a display with "0-90" markings in yellow and a dedicated hand. As the display indicates, the depth gauge works from 0 to 90 meters. This function is rarely seen in mechanical watches - although Panerai, IWC and JLC are the three brands that have produced mechanical depth gauge wristwatches in the past. The biggest advantage of a mechanical depth gauge being built into a timepiece, is that it eliminates the need for a dedicated depth gauge. Many divers wear both a depth gauge and professional dive watch.

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Earlier this year, Blancpain held a traveling vintage exhibition that consisted of more than 50 historic Blancpain dive watches, as a Tribute to Fifty Fathoms. The exhibit was displayed during Baselworld 2011, which is where I was able to take photos of some of the most important and collectible timepieces.

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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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