Blancpain: “The Great Wave” Part I

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Blancpain “The Great Wave”, Métiers d’Art studio. Introduced in 2016, it houses the Calibre 13R3A manual-winding movement with 8 days of power reserve and features a silver-toned obsidian dial that is hand-decorated with hand-engraved gold waves, finished with rokushō lacquer. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2016.

Blancpain “The Great Wave”, Métiers d’Art studio. Introduced in 2016, it houses the Calibre 13R3A manual-winding movement with 8 days of power reserve and features a silver-toned obsidian dial that is hand-decorated with hand-engraved gold waves, finished with rokushō lacquer. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2016.

In Blancpain’s 2016 Métier’s d’Art creation, “The Great Wave”, the artwork on the dial is inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the famous woodblock print created by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760 to 1849),

For the movement, Blancpain has modified its 8-day manual-winding Calibre 13R0 into what is now known as the Calibre 13R3A.

The 8-day power reserve has three series-coupled mainspring barrels. The second barrel serves as a relay for the first, replenishing its energy to maintain its force and it is in turn, wound by the third barrel.

Blancpain’s “The Great Wave” is powered by the Calibre 13R3A manual-winding movement with 192 hours or 8 days of power reserve. The power reserve display is found on the rear, on the bridge side. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2016.

Blancpain’s “The Great Wave” is powered by the Calibre 13R3A manual-winding movement with 192 hours or 8 days of power reserve. The power reserve display is found on the rear, on the bridge side. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2016.

The power reserve display is now on the bridge side (at the rear of the movement) to free dial space in order to feature the artwork and obsidian dial.

 

 

This is the first time the gemstone, Mexican silver obsidian, is used as a dial by Blancpain.
Blancpain “The Great Wave”

Métiers d’Art studio
Introduced in 2016
Technical Specifications:
• Calibre 13R3A manual-winding movement
• 211 components
• Movement diameter: 30.60mm
• Movement thickness: 4.57mm
• 28 rubies
• 192 hours power reserve (8 days)
• Power reserve display on the bridge side (rear of the case)
• Sapphire crystal
• Silver-toned obsidian dial, hand-decorated and hand-engraved gold wave, rokushō lacquer
• 42mm diameter case in platinum, 10.55mm thick
• Water-resistant to 3 bar (30m)
• Lug width: 23mm
• Bespoke storm gray calfskin strap crafted by a Swiss artisan
Note:
Each piece made is unique as the dial is hand-engraved

We also recommend: Blancpain: “The Great Wave” Part II

Another related article on www.timewerke.com that may be of interest about the Katsushika Hokusai’s artwork, Under the Wave Off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura):
i. Seiko’s first tourbillon: Credor Fugaku Tourbillon: First Wave In