The new Blancpain Ladybird Colors collection is a simple one, but its carefully considered elements make it a remarkably versatile ladies’ timepiece. For starters, it is available in seven executions that mix and match strap colours and steel or rose gold cases to suit a variety of moods. More than that, it takes the simple, three-hand, time-only concept, mixes in a bit of flair, and then adds a bejewelled touch to set it all off.
The foundation of Blancpain Ladybird Colors is a timelessly elegant round case 34.9mm in diameter. The hands are leaf-shaped with cut-outs that add a modern touch. They are backed by a white mother-of-pearl dial, dressy but playful in its iridescence, while an inner circle of diamonds provides a decadent crowning. The applied gold numerals are in an off-kilter, somewhat irreverent typeface, asymmetrically sized to emphasize the upper characters. It is a subtle effect, and surprisingly balanced across the watch even as it draws the eye upwards.
A further 59 diamonds, totalling over two carats, adorns the bezel, lugs, and crown of the Blancpain Ladybird Colors. These were set by hand, aligned precisely to allow their facets to reflect light in unison, and requires great dexterity in the metalworking to hold them in place without damaging the stones. It is a task left to only the most experience gem-setters.
In true Blancpain fashion, the movement has not been neglected. Calibre 1150 has a slimness that belies its four-day power reserve, and sports a silicon balance spring. Its Geneva-striped plates and satin-brushed bridges are visible through the display caseback, with the gold rotor openworked to leave the view unobstructed.
The original Blancpain Ladybird was a milestone of the brand, released in 1956 as the smallest round movement of the era. It was developed under the stewardship of Betty Fiechter, who inherited the leadership of the company in 1932 from Frederic-Emile Blancpain – himself the 7th and last generation of the founding family to run the company. Fiechter was the first female CEO of a major watch manufacture, and her influence continues to be felt today amongst Blancpain’s feminine collections. The Ladybird Colors is no exception, with the timeless luxury of its design set to become a mainstay for the brand going forward.
