To mark the Chinese New Year that begins on January 29, 2025, Blancpain has unveiled the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar “Year of the Snake”. For the first time, the brand combines a platinum case with a green grand feu enamel dial on its wristwatch that has the unusual complication of a Chinese lunisolar calendar.

As with previous editions, the Villeret Chinese Calendar displays the symbol of the Chinese Zodiac in a small aperture located at noon, in addition to featuring a snake motif engraved on its frosted white gold rotor.

Initial thoughts

The ability of a perpetual calendar to accurately track months, dates, and days for decades, mechanically and without any manual adjustments, remains impressive even as the complication has become common. Watches with a traditional Chinese calendar, however, remain rare and arguably more impressive.

Only a handful of brands have incorporated the traditional Chinese calendar into a wristwatch, with Blancpain being one of the earliest to do so, way back in 2012 ( and more recently H. Moser & Cie. has done the same).

Admittedly, the latest edition of the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar introduces little new beyond the platinum case paired with a green enamel dial. Both the design and movement remain the same. While not intrinsically novel, the new version of the Traditional Chinese Calendar remains an interesting complication, with the new livery being appealing in itself.

Year of the serpent

The snake zodiac edition is essentially identical to past versions of the model, save for the aesthetics. The platinum case is a large 45.2 mm in diameter by 15.1 mm in height. Unlike conventional perpetual calendars, the Traditional Chinese Calendar incorporates the signature Blancpain correctors for the calendar that take the form of discreet tabs concealed beneath the lugs.

The green grand feu enamel dial has the Chinese calendar indications in sub-dials, including the zodiac symbol at 12 o’clock. The three sub-dials feature markings in white enamel print, and indicate the Chinese days and months, double hours, leap year, and the five elemental attributes of the zodiac animal, along with a decorative yin and yang symbol at three o’clock.

A serpentine hand indicates the date on the scale located on the dial’s perimeter, while the moon phase at six o’clock features a black moon disc.

The watch is driven by the in-house cal. 3638 that boasts a seven-day power reserve thanks to three barrels.

The movement is finished well as is typical of Blancpain. This particular edition has a solid gold rotor with a relief engraving of a snake.

Key facts and price

Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar “Year of the Snake”
Ref. 0888-3432C-55B

Diameter: 45.2 mm
Height: 15.1 mm
Material: Platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 3638
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, lunar calendar and Chinese hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 168 hours

Strap: Crocodile with folding clasp

Limited edition: 50 pieces
Availability: At Blancpain boutiques
Price: On request

For more information, visit Blancpain.com.