Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVIII

1 6 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The dial is fashioned entirely in gorgeously iridescent mother of pearl, and is divided into three parts on four levels. These differences in height create an impression of great depth. Careful work was called for on the part of the Blancpain craftsmen to fashion the mother of pearl surface upon progressively descending levels, as the material, set on a base of German silver, becomes progressively thinner with each level and therefore more fragile. You’ll find you look forward to dawn and dusk, as the Day Night disk makes its twice-daily turns. Each rotational change takes place over approximately four minutes, as the decoration presents itself, allowing you the privilege of discovering of all of the details of day and night. Many different artistic techniques were used in its creation: la décalque (depositing material), le champlevé (contour forms in relief), and le marquetage (integration of superimposed motifs in mother of pearl). As we mentioned, gradations in the colour blue, achieved by deposit upon the mother of pearl, marks the change from day to night. The Moon that reveals itself is composed of 50 diamonds; the sun is fashioned with 50 yellow sapphires. Placed upon the surface are several yellow-coloured mother of pearl dots, as well as 14 diamonds to represent the stars. One of the unique features of this piece is the way that the two retrograde indications (seconds and hours) are combined with the minute hand. The minute is displayed with a regulator hand that continuously sweeps over its circle of rotation. As it completes its 60-minute march, the seconds hand is retrograding, which is to say that it has progressed along its arc and returns instantly to its point of departure to begin its progression anew. Similarly, the hour hand retrogrades twice per day, again in synch with the minute hand. Indeed, Blancpain has perfected the design of retrograde indications. Based upon snail-shaped cams, this particular design ensures smooth movement of the hands along the arc of travel and a positive, swift, yet vibration-free return to the starting point. The gear train of the Day Night disk is secured, meaning that it can be set at any time of day, whilst the setting of the time and the disk are independent. The setting of hours and minutes by the crown, through a lever, disconnects the indication from the running train of the watch. Imaginative, alluring and resolutely feminine, the Day Night is designed to meet – indeed surpass – the wishes and expectations of contemporary women. Combining watchmaking expertise with cutting-edge technologies, Blancpain remains devoted to the cause of beauty.