Blancpain
In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain opened a modest workshop on the second floor of his farmhouse in the Jura village of Villeret in Switzerland. These humble beginnings would form the foundation of what is now the world’s oldest existing watchmaker and one of the premier brands within the category of Swiss watchmaking.
Like most horologists at the time, Blancpain’s business was, at the beginning, a family affair: Jehan-Jacques’s son and siblings joined in the work at hand. After all, between the honing, polishing, design and assembly, the making of an innovative watch calls for all hands on deck. Since then, even given its deep history, Blancpain has remained a forward-looking brand.
At the end of the 18th century, Jehan-Jacques’s grandson David-Louis endeavored to turn the family business into an international one, traveling to cities across Europe to proffer the family’s distinctive timepieces, which were known for their roue de rencontre, or meeting wheel, escapements.
By the early 1800s, Frédéric-Louis Blancpain, Jehan-Jacques’s great-grandson, had begun work on ultra-flat movements and implemented modern means of production at the factory. Soon, Blancpain built a two-story factory that further bolstered its production capacity.
In 1926, Blancpain partnered with British watchmaker John Harwood to produce the first automatic wristwatch, an innovation that had existed only in pocket watches at that point. Then nearly 30 years later, when the race to craft modern dive watches had gained speed and Rolex was unveiling its iconic Submariner, Blancpain introduced its Fifty Fathoms, a timepiece designed initially for the French Navy to be waterproof up to a depth of 50 fathoms.
After two centuries of family management, Blancpain left the hands of its namesake family in 1932, passing between a few owners before being acquired in 1961 by SSIH, the venerable Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère, whose other subsidiaries include Omega and Tissot.
SSIH would sell Blancpain to a member of another Swiss watch family, Jacques Piguet, in the early 1980s. In 2010, Piguet merged with Blancpain under the Swatch Group. Today, Blancpain maintains its painstaking attention to detail, producing fewer than 30 watches per day, each crafted by a single watchmaker.
Find a wide range of vintage Blancpain watches for sale on 1stDibs today.
| Average Sold Price |
| $7,940 |
| Styles |
| Related Creators |
21st Century and Contemporary Blancpain
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Swiss Blancpain
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Blancpain
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Blancpain
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Blancpain
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Blancpain
1990s European Modern Blancpain
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Blancpain
Titanium
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Blancpain Sale Prices
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| $7,940 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $799-$23,000 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Creators Similar to Blancpain
Blancpain jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
- Why is Blancpain so expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Blancpain is so expensive for a few reasons. One is due to innovation, which the Swiss luxury watchmaker has a long history of, having created the first-ever automatic wristwatch in 1926. Blancpain is known for being on the cutting edge of design, and many collectors are willing to pay high prices to own both its vintage and contemporary timepieces as a result. The watchmaker is also known for using exceptionally fine materials and employing time-honored crafting techniques that make the quality of its timepieces exceptional. In addition, Blancpain makes about half as many watches per year as some of its biggest competitors, so supply is often low compared to demand. Find a diverse assortment of Blancpain watches on 1stDibs.
- Are Blancpain watches handmade?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Blancpain watches are handmade of the finest materials, with an eye on detail. In 1735, Jehan-Jacque Blancpain began the company that carries his name. Known to be one of the oldest watchmaking companies, Blancpain relies on their reputation of excellence for success, even though the company today is owned by the Swatch Group. Shop a collection of Blancpain watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024What the rarest Blancpain watch is will vary over time as the luxury maker introduces new limited edition timepieces and trends in collecting and the secondary marketplace change. However, some Blancpain watches are generally rare because the watchmaker produced them in such limited quantities. Examples include the Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication, of which only 30 were made, and the Blancpain Le Brassus Tourbillon Carrousel, a limited edition consisting of only 10 timepieces. Shop a selection of Blancpain watches on 1stDibs.
- Is Blancpain better than Rolex?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024No, Blancpain is not better than Rolex. Blancpain traces its history back to 1735 and maintains its painstaking attention to detail, producing fewer than 30 watches per day, each crafted by a single watchmaker. Although Rolex produces more watches annually, it is revered for its precision timekeeping, impeccable craftsmanship and unflagging pursuit of innovation. When shopping for a watch, you should think about what you’re looking for in this type of accessory. You may wish to consider the power reserve, materials, accuracy, craftsmanship, where it was manufactured and more. If it’s your first watch, you may wish to consider whether or not you’d prefer a pre-owned model. Buying a new, never-worn watch enables you to build a history with it that isn’t shared by anyone else, but the greatest advantage to buying a pre-owned watch is that it opens up a wider range of models to consider, including rare ones that have been discontinued. Shop a wide variety of watches on 1stDibs.
- Is Blancpain worth buying?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2024Yes, many watch lovers believe that Blancpain is worth buying. In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain opened a modest workshop on the second floor of his farmhouse in the Jura village of Villeret in Switzerland. These humble beginnings would form the foundation of what is now the world’s oldest active watchmaker and one of the premier brands within the category of Swiss watchmaking. Today, Blancpain maintains its painstaking attention to detail, producing fewer than 30 watches per day, each crafted by a single watchmaker. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Blancpain watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Blancpain watches and other watches on 1stDibs.
- Is Blancpain a luxury watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Yes, Blancpain is a luxury watch. In fact, it is the world’s oldest existing watchmaker and one of the premier brands within the category of Swiss watchmaking. Jehan-Jacques Blancpain founded the company as a modest workshop on the second floor of his farmhouse in the Jura village of Villeret in Switzerland in 1735. Today, Blancpain maintains its painstaking attention to detail, producing fewer than 30 watches per day, each crafted by a single watchmaker. Shop a range of Blancpain watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024How much a Blancpain watch costs depends on its materials, model, availability, popularity and other characteristics. Entry-level models typically sell for $7,000 or more, and the highest-priced Blancpain watches carry a price tag of more than $200,000. You may find pre-owned Blancpain timepieces at reduced prices on some trusted online platforms. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Blancpain watches.