Blancpain

Infobox_Company
company_name = Blancpain-Rayville SA

company_type = Member of the Swatch Group
company_
company_slogan = Since 1735, there has never been a quartz Blancpain and there never will be
foundation = 1735 by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain
location_city = Paudex
location_country = Switzerland
key_people = Nicolas Hayek
industry = Watch manufacturing
products =
homepage = [http://www.blancpain.ch http://www.blancpain.ch]

Blancpain is a Swiss watch manufacturer, founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain. Blancpain was saved from near bankruptcy by Jean-Claude Biver, an executive with Omega. Blancpain is owned by the Swatch Group. Nick Hayek, the son of Swatch Group's founder and chairman, Nicolas Hayek runs the company.

Blancpain started making watches in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland. According to their commercial slogans, the company has never produced quartz watches in the past and has stated in its advertisements that it never will, nor have they ever produced watches with digital displays. In comparison to a large watch maker like Rolex, which makes about 2,000 watches a day, Blanpain produces fewer than 10,000 watches a year. Each watch is made by a single watchmaker.

Blancpain is also famous for being the creator of one of the most complicated mechanical watches ever made, the Blancpain 1735, which is a true grand complication (Tourbillon, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split chrono), a limited edition of 30 pieces only, production of just one piece per year.

Blancpain is also known for its Fifty-Fathoms watch, selected by the United States Navy and worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau in his award winning film. In 1984, Blancpain launched the world's smallest movement, followed shortly thereafter in 1989 by the launch of the world's thinnest movement.

External links

* [http://www.blancpain.com Blancpain homepage]
* [http://www.lussoluxury.com/content.asp/read-102042008205002/A_comparison_of_four_contrasting_watch_companies;_Big_Small_Old_&_New_Patek_Phillipe_Phillipe_Dufour_Blancpain_&_FP_Journe_.html Blainpain factory tour and comparison with other luxury watch companies]
* [http://www.thetimetv.com/news/blancpain Latest News about Blancpain]
* [http://www.blancpainforum.com Blanc　Pain]
* [http://www.theartoftime.com/Archives/blancpain_1735_en.htm Blancpain 1735]
* [http://www.demesy.com/histories/blancpain.html Blancpain corporate history]
* [http://users.tpg.com.au/wookie99/blancpainwatches.html Blancpain Watch Index] A handy reference of current Blancpain watches, listed by case material, bracelet material, dial colour, size, and model number.