Offered here is an extremely rare, highly collectible and sought-after yellow-gold Blancpain Ref.1186 “First Batch” Villeret Rattrapante Split-Second Chronograph, one of six masterpieces introduced by Mr Jean-Claude Biver and movement specialist Frédéric Piguet.
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The Watch is running well in superb condition. The split-seconds chronograph functions perfectly.

The Dial is in immaculate condition, clean with no signs of markings or damages.

The Case in superb condition, with no deep scratches or significant dings. Hallmarks are clear and crisp.

Year: Circa 1989/1990

Watch comes with its Original yellow-gold Blancpain Tang Buckle, orange Ostrich Blancpain Strap and Blancpain Inner & Outer Box.
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Today with the rising appreciation and hunt for Neo-Vintage (especially undervalued Hidden Gems) among both new and seasoned collectors, it comes to no surprise that some of you may already know of this timepiece. However to most that haven’t, we are very honoured to introduce to you this incredible “hidden gem” masterpiece that we think offer so much value into one’s collection.

Today we are delighted and proud to offer a highly rare and important timepiece from the one of six masterpieces that played an integral role in the rejuvenation of this historic brand, the Blancpain Ref.1186 Villeret Rattrapante Split-Second Chronograph, and with an extra something on it!

Blancpain is billed as “the world’s oldest watch company”, but the history of the company is far more complex. Founded before 1735 in Villeret, the modern Blancpain traces its heritage to 1981, when Mr Jean-Claude Biver purchased the name to be a mechanical rebuke of quartz watches. Blancpain and movement specialist Frédéric Piguet would be acquired by what is now the Swatch Group in 1992, with Biver leading the renaissance of mechanical watchmaking.

The simple design remains an icon for Blancpain and was one of the “six masterpieces” from the brand that exemplified “the living museum of the past” concept championed by Mr Biver. Blancpain would build six key mechanical watches over the next decade: An ultra-thin watch, the moon phase display, a perpetual calendar, a split-seconds chronograph, a tourbillon, and a minute repeater. The 4th mentioned is the one we have today.

The Ref.1186 Split-Second Rattrapante was the 5th Blancpain Masterpiece and is the worlds first automatic Rattrapante Chronograph.
The movement, super thin at just 6.75mm, was based on the ultra-thin automatic F. Piguet Cal. 1185 which was adopted from its predecessor, the Ref.1185 Chronograph.

It was in Basel 1988 that Blancpain showed its first chronograph. This remarkable watch included not just a flyback chronograph complication and automatic winding (the first such movement developed in over a decade) but was remarkably thin just 6.75 mm overall. It was based on the F.Piguet Cal.1185, which had been introduced in 1987 as the hand-winding Cal.1180 introduced earlier.
This movement would be used by Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Chopard, Vacheron Constantin, and many others, and represented the future of the industry.

The Ref.1186 Rattrapante offered here is encased in classical 34mm yellow-gold, but wears a bit larger than it states thanks to the lug design and case design.

What makes this example so special and incredibly collectible is that it features an extremely rare “Mk1” dial. These dials are only found on the very first batch (the first 89 or 99) of Ref.1186 pieces made and feature its serial on the dial, making them extremely rare to find.
[The earliest Mk1 Ref.1186 documented, and on public record is No.9, and was used on all the old Blancpain Adverts back in the day (as seen on picture 2).]

With such rich history and so much haute horology behind these masterpieces, it is no wonder these “Biver Piguet Era”/Early Blancpains have become so popular and highly sought-after among both seasoned and upcoming collectors. To no surprise though given with how much value each of these masterpieces offer in contrast for how much each cost in the market now.
Especially this extremely rare “Mk1” variant, this Ref.1186 Blancpain Mastepiece is truly the one to go for any collector seeking to own something truly rare and collectible plus also holding historical importance!
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Please feel free to contact us for more questions or for a private viewing of the watch!
For more information do visit our Q&A post at https://carousell.app.link/roUoDh0y3kb

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