Malaysia Watch Forum
Main Forums => Watch Reviews => Topic started by: hong999 on January 31, 2025, 05:47:31 PM
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IMO, Ultrathin is one of the complication that only skillful craftsman can do it well, from design process to manufacturing process. Piaget Altiplano is one of the well known master of ultrathin, then followed by the steel Blancpain Villeret 1180 which produced in Biver-era .
(https://i.imgur.com/LODryzV.jpeg)
The watch is equipped Frederic Piguet Caliber 1180, an in-house manual wind movement, with column wheel vertical clutch chronograph. It is one of the Frederic Piguet Caliber 1185 variants. The watch fits me well as I have small wrist, it is the best ultrathin chronograph I owned, at 8mm thickness. The watch is feel like they should cost far more than current market suggests; the fit, finishing, refinement, and attention to detail are all excellently executed. FYI a modern vertical clutch chronograph watch (Breitling B01, Rolex 4130, Tag Heuer TH02 & etc) will come with a case thickness at least 12 mm.
The case is carefully design with the dimension of 34mm (diameter) x 37mm (lug to lug) x 8 mm (thickness) in stainless steel case. The case shape curve down from the dial sapphire to caseback, so it looks slimmer from all angle.
(https://i.imgur.com/S5zRr0R.jpeg)
Unlike the Daytona with tons of words, Blancpain Villeret 1180 dial is matte finish and has no nonsense word on it, it only need simplicity and a clean display. The legibility is good, all the roman numbers are polished with adequate light reflection for easy reading, the size of the sub-dials are clean and embedded with silver ring.
(https://i.imgur.com/i5hC77w.jpeg)
Frederic Piguet is owned by Blancpain now, so the movement is an in-house manual wind movement, with column wheel vertical clutch chronograph. It has quick set date function, but without the hacking second function.
This watch is a rare piece in the market, the modern Blancpain chronograph thickness range from 11mm to 13mm, you cant find any 8mm chronograph in current release. The overhaul service cost is RM3900, movement spare part also available at official service channel because Blancpain still produces Frederic Piguet Caliber 1185 movement for their chronograph watch.
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Brands don't focus on slimness anymore these days. An interesting watch; certainly a very slim chronograph. Enjoy in good health.
The only Villeret I've been interested in, is the 7002 -- time only, small seconds and beautiful Breguet numerals. A pity that the movement is so much smaller than the case, but at 36 x 6.8 mm, already a fantastic size with a well proportioned dial.
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Take the chronograph another level and see a ultrathin split second chronograph from VC ;D
i guess its for those refined gentlement watching the horses at the racetrack ;)