Blancpain is the oldest registered watch brand in the world, founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain in Villeret, Switzerland. For many, its legacy is defined by the Fifty Fathoms dive watch first, and by the classic Villeret collection second. But today, facing strong independent competition, the manufacture has doubled down on uncompromising craft with the Grande Double Sonnerie. A week ago, Marc Hayek, the visibly proud Blancpain CEO, opened the Swiss manufacture to journalists to show off the new watch, which is a reposition the Vallèe du Joux brand in the top tier of watchmaking. In 2025, this space is increasingly inhabited by fiercely creative independents. Hayek has a challenging task: setting the bar sky-high with the Grande Double Sonnerie. What does Blancpain need to rise to the independent competition and win collectors’ hearts in the process? Christian Lattmann, VP of product at the company, admits that while the house has been in high watchmaking..
