Blancpain

• cal. 3863 automatic nickel lever movement, pierced and engraved rotor with sun, moon and star design • silvered dial, applied Roman indexes, subsidiary dials for day, date and month combined with leap year indication, retrograde moon-phases, plus and minus indication for solar and civil day, aperture for equation cam combined with constant seconds • polished case with moulded bezel, snap-on back • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum Blancpain folding clasp

The movement is running at the time of cataloguing, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion post-sale. Dial in good condition. The case with light scuffs. 'The leather strap of this wristwatch is made from endangered species; please refer to important notices for further information'.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The history of Blancpain began in 1735 when Jehan Jacques Blancpain began making watches at his family farm in the village of Villet, in the Swiss Jura. By 1815, what had begun as a family cottage industry had evolved into a small firm called Blancpain. Today the firm continues the tradition for fine watchmaking in its premises at Le Brassus, in Vallée Joux.
Blancpain created the celebrated Equation Marchante so the user can instantaneously visualise the discrepancy between the rhythm of nature and that adopted by our societies,in the difference between solar and sidereal time, a gap which may reach up to 16 minutes at certain times of the year. This watch bears the ultra-thin calibre 3863 with around 400 components entirely hand-decorated. This remarkable equation mechanism which took several years to develop has been incorporated within a self-winding movement. It is housed in a very elegant traditional Le Brassus platinum case and is without doubt a triumph of horologic complications.