Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante 66240-3631-55B

In-Depth Review

The Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante reference 66240-3631-55B is a masterwork of classical haute horlogerie that combines three distinct complications in a single timepiece: a flying tourbillon, a jumping hour, and retrograde minutes. This unusual combination creates a reading experience unlike any conventional watch. Instead of hands sweeping continuously, the hour jumps instantaneously at the top of each hour while the minute hand traces a retrograde arc before snapping back to zero. The flying tourbillon, visible at six o'clock, rotates without an upper bridge, appearing to float freely above the movement. All of this is driven by the automatic Caliber 66240, developed and manufactured entirely within Blancpain's workshops in Villeret.

The 42mm 18K rose gold case houses a grand feu enamel dial in white, a detail that immediately communicates the level of craftsmanship involved. Grand feu enamel requires multiple firings at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius, and each dial is essentially a miniature work of art with depth and luminosity that no painted or printed dial can replicate. With a power reserve indicator at twelve o'clock and 30 meters of water resistance, this is a watch designed exclusively for formal and special occasions. Competing pieces include the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Celeste and the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Tourbillon, though neither matches the Blancpain's unusual combination of jumping hour and retrograde minutes.

At $142,000 MSRP and approximately $115,000 on the secondary market, the Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante is priced competitively for what it delivers. Blancpain, owned by the Swatch Group but operated with genuine manufacture independence, has historically suffered from lower resale premiums compared to the Holy Trinity brands, which means the secondary market discount is expected. For the discerning collector who evaluates watches on mechanical content, dial craftsmanship, and horological innovation rather than brand-driven resale speculation, this Blancpain offers extraordinary value. It is one of the most complicated and artistically refined timepieces available under $150,000, and its relative obscurity among mainstream collectors only adds to its appeal for those who know.