Blancpain Tiffany & Co Triple Calander Moonphase, 1988

Dealer description — Huntington Company

Reference 6595 Tiffany & Co Box, Blancpain Booklets, Push Pin Specifications Year: 1988 Model: 6595 Case Diameter: 34mm Lug to Lug: 38mm Case: Rose gold Condition: No significant wear as seen Dial: good condition Movement: Automatic Condition Rarity aside, the condition of this Blancpain is as you would suspect. A well-preserved Blancpain with its original strap, 18K buckle, booklets, Tiffany stamped box, and pusher. The ostrich Blancpain strap has noticeable wear but is still wearable. The case is nice and clean with no major dents as seen in the photos. The stark white dial is nice and clean with gold hour markers. The Story In 1981, Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet decided to launch a range of high-end mechanical complications under the name Blancpain, a brand with historical and horological importance. They purchased the rights to Blancpain and worked in a farmhouse in Le Brassus, the Joux Valley, on the historic farm of Louis-Elisée Piguet, adjacent to the Frédéric Piguet workshop. Biver headed marketing and sales, while Piguet led manufacturing, they began creating what is now known as 'the six masterpieces'. The first model, the Complete Calendar Moon Phase, featured the Cal. 6395 and Cal. 6595, bringing back traditional complications while the watch market shifted to quartz movements. The Cal. 6395/6595 set a record for the smallest complete calendar moon phase plate in history. The model was designed to be complicated high-end watchmaking, unlike quartz pieces. The case, measuring 34mm, was available in various metals and bands, and was attached to a Gay Freres bracelet. This refernece 6595 is just a bit more special because of the name printed under the moonphase complication. Retailed by Tiffany & Co., this example was purchased in the late 80s with a beautiful love note engraved on the caseback. The Brand The Blancpain brand, established in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, is the oldest watch brand in existence. However, it experienced significant changes during the 20th century. In 1932, the company was sold to Betty Fiechter and André Léal, leading to the creation of the Rayville brand. In 1962, Blancpain became part of SSIH (Sociéte Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère), joining Lemania, Omega, and Tissot. During this period, the company produced significant volumes of watches, with annual sales reaching 220,000 units in 1971. Fréderic Piguet, a prominent movement manufacturer located in the Vallée de Joux, acquired the brand name Rayville-Blancpain from SSIH in 1982. The following year, Blancpain was established as a separate company under the direction of Jacques Piguet. The company entered a frenetic period of innovation, releasing numerous models that embraced the regional prowess for crafting ultra-thin and complicated watches. In 1992, Jacques Piguet decided to sell both Fréderic Piguet and Blancpain, which were later acquired by SMH, the company that would ultimately become Swatch Group. Today, Blancpain continues to have its production facilities within the Vallée de Joux, both in Le Brassus and nearby Le Sentier. The iconic Fifty Fathoms collection stands out among Blancpain's collections, including Le Brassus, Léman, L-evolution, and Villeret. The Fifty Fathoms, a diver's watch, was launched in 1953, the same year the Rolex Submariner was released. The original model was equipped with a stainless steel case and domed crystal, capable of withstanding depths of at least 50 fathoms (91 meters). A self-winding movement was included to mitigate the need to use the crown for winding, and a soft-iron core shrouded the movement to protect the inner workings against damage or unwanted influence from magnetic fields. Blancpain has extended the collection to appeal to a broader audience who appreciate the model's robust design. The range now includes a flyback chronograph and even a tourbillon. In 2011, Blancpain revealed the X Fathoms, equipped with a mechanical depth gauge using liquid metal technology. Most recently, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe watches were released, which are smaller in stature but no less alluring. Blancpain is a historical name in the field of haute horlogerie, offering a diverse range of timepieces with peerless finishing and a myriad of complications.