Property of the Original Owner
8086Σ
Blancpain
Ref. 5581-3427-55
An attractive and collectible platinum perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phase, leap year indicator, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 220,000€13,200 - 24,100$15,400 - 28,200
HK$304,800
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Blancpain
- Year
- Circa 2004, Switzerland
- Reference No
- 5581-3427-55
- Case No
- 12
- Material
- Platinum
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 5581.0, 29 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- Platinum Blancpain pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 34mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Blancpain guarantee stamped Cortina Watch P/L, Singapore dated 7 February 2004, instruction manual, envelope, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
• From 1981 to 1992, this era of Blancpain, under the leadership of Jean-Claude Biver and in collaboration with movement maker Frédéric Piguet, marked a return to old-world craftsmanship. While often remembered for its bold marketing slogan: “Since 1735, there has never been a quartz Blancpain watch”, the brand’s commitment to mechanical excellence was both sincere and profound. Collectors particularly value the more complex pieces from this period, such as the 5581, which pushed the boundaries of traditional watchmaking by combining multiple complications purely for the sake of horological artistry.
• The Blancpain Ref. 5581 is a rare and exceptional timepiece that exemplifies the brand’s dedication to traditional Swiss watchmaking during a pivotal era of mechanical revival. In response to the quartz crisis, Jean-Claude Biver and Frédéric Piguet created Blancpain’s renowned “Six Masterpieces” collection, which ref. 5581 is proudly part of it. This reference unites two of horology’s most prestigious complications: the perpetual calendar and the split-seconds chronograph (rattrapante). The full set of masterpieces also included an ultra-thin, minute repeater, complete calendar moonphase, and flying tourbillon, all housed in elegant 34mm round cases and individually numbered on the caseback.
• Among the other five masterpieces, the Ref. 5581 stands out for its technical sophistication and rarity. It features a manual-winding movement with flyback chronograph functionality, a perpetual calendar that accounts for leap years and varying month lengths, and a moon phase display. The dial is classically styled and well-balanced, with a three-register layout comprising a 15-minute counter, small seconds, and a 12-hour totalizer.
• The present platinum example, bearing production number 12, features a highly legible dial and a discreet split-seconds pusher at 10 o’clock. Offered with a full set of accessories, it remains in excellent overall condition. It is a true collector’s piece from one of the most storied chapters in Blancpain’s history.
• The Blancpain Ref. 5581 is a rare and exceptional timepiece that exemplifies the brand’s dedication to traditional Swiss watchmaking during a pivotal era of mechanical revival. In response to the quartz crisis, Jean-Claude Biver and Frédéric Piguet created Blancpain’s renowned “Six Masterpieces” collection, which ref. 5581 is proudly part of it. This reference unites two of horology’s most prestigious complications: the perpetual calendar and the split-seconds chronograph (rattrapante). The full set of masterpieces also included an ultra-thin, minute repeater, complete calendar moonphase, and flying tourbillon, all housed in elegant 34mm round cases and individually numbered on the caseback.
• Among the other five masterpieces, the Ref. 5581 stands out for its technical sophistication and rarity. It features a manual-winding movement with flyback chronograph functionality, a perpetual calendar that accounts for leap years and varying month lengths, and a moon phase display. The dial is classically styled and well-balanced, with a three-register layout comprising a 15-minute counter, small seconds, and a 12-hour totalizer.
• The present platinum example, bearing production number 12, features a highly legible dial and a discreet split-seconds pusher at 10 o’clock. Offered with a full set of accessories, it remains in excellent overall condition. It is a true collector’s piece from one of the most storied chapters in Blancpain’s history.
Blancpain
Swiss | 1735As the watchmaking brand with the earliest founding date, Blancpain remains close to tradition, concentrating on classical mechanical watches. Established in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the Le Brassus manufacturer today continues to innovate with the development of high-quality calibres and is proud of their heritage, having never made quartz watches. One of the firm's greatest successes was the Fifty Fathom wristwatch introduced in 1953 — the vintage models of which are now highly coveted by collectors. The earliest dive watch available to the market, Fifty Fathom came out a year prior to Rolex's Submariner. Another key model is the Air Command from the 1960s, considered one of the most mythical collector's watches due to their extreme rarity. Today, the firm specializes in creative innovated complicated timepieces.
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