While the first automatic minute-repeating timepiece was crafted by A.L. Breguet in 1805, the first automatic minute-repeating wristwatch is a more nebulous affair. IWC introduced their Grande Complication in 1990, featuring an automatic movement with grande and petite sonnerie, whilst Patek Philippe debuted the reference 3979 a year before, in 1989. Blancpain, however, at the beginning of its renaissance under the stewardship of Jean-Claude Biver, introduced the caliber 35 in 1988.

In the early 1990s, these caliber 35 movements were mostly fitted into yellow gold or platinum 34mm cases. An updated version, like the present example, was introduced in the early 2000s as a dressier version of the Léman collection, the Villeret. Retaining the same basic design codes as the 90s iteration, the 2000s Villeret automatic minute repeater was instead housed in a 37.5mm case in white gold.

Preserved in excellent condition, the present minute-repeating Blancpain bears the prestigious movement number 01 and is being offered directly from the collection of Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola purchased the present watch due to Blancpain’s reputation for innovation of chimes in wrist watches.