Blancpain's $2 Million Grande Double Sonnerie Is Its Most Intricate Timepiece To Date

The intricate, high horology watch comprises over 1,050 components.

Blancpain

For the world's longest known watchmaker, the $2 million Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie represents a remarkable horological accomplishment, accompanied by an astonishing price and corresponding specifications.

The exorbitantly costly wristwatch exemplifies a very detailed high horology masterpiece from a watchmaker renowned for the dive-ready functionality of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie, developed over eight years and comprising 1,200 technical drawings, incorporates an astonishing 1,053 components and has led to the issuance of 21 patents. Blancpain emphasises that the exquisite clock was “completely designed, manufactured, embellished, and assembled in-house,” and hence, only two examples will be produced annually: its rarity is beyond description.

Blancpain

The horologist observes that the watch is “the most intricate timepiece in Blancpain’s history,” replete with numerous functions that appear implausible to integrate into a single watch (perhaps accounting for its 47mm case diameter). The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie encompasses a flying tourbillon, a fully integrated retrograde perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a movement architecture that is completely encased within the watch's 18-karat case and bridgeplate structure. The most notable feature is the pair of sonnerie complexities, comprising one grande melody and one petite melody, all of which are interchangeable within the watch itself.

Remarkably, one of the songs was composed by watch collector Eric Singer, who is also the drummer for KISS. Promoted by Blancpain as a “symphony of innovation, artistry, and emotion,” the Sonnerie complication doubles the note count of a conventional chiming mechanism, employing the notes E, G, F, and B with four hammers and gongs.

The singer created the Blancpain melody, whilst the alternative Sonnerie version is based on the Westminster melody. Within the watch, two manually wound spring barrels function, one for the chiming mechanism, while the flying tourbillon provides stability and an impressive aesthetic via both the dial and caseback. Its 96-hour power reserve is very remarkable.

Blancpain

The grande sonnerie, including an extensive array of complications, extends the limits of horology beyond what one might have deemed feasible from Blancpain; accordingly, the price reflects this remarkable accomplishment. Consequently, the Swiss watchmaker experiences a sense of triumph with its latest masterpiece, stated Blancpain President and CEO Marc A. Hayek. “Experiencing a sonnerie is akin to savouring a fine wine,” Hayek stated. “It is not solely a matter of volume, but also of clarity, resonance, persistence, and richness.” Experiencing the resonance of a prestigious sonnerie is an emotional encounter.

This achievement sets a new standard for the potential capabilities of future Blancpain watches, surpassing even the sporty yet sumptuous allure of its most renowned model, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Although merely two very fortunate owners will annually acquire a segment of horological history, Blancpain's latest experiment may indeed establish the direction for the company's future endeavours.