Blancpain

Blancpain was one of the most influential watch brands of the 1980s, playing a pivotal role in the revival of mechanical watchmaking—a contribution that cannot be overstated. In 1981, Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet (then owner of the Frederic Piguet movement manufacture) acquired the rights to the Blancpain name, which had all but disappeared during the 1970s. Under their vision and leadership, Blancpain was transformed into one of the most formidable forces in the watch industry by the end of the century.

In 1988, Blancpain introduced an ultra-slim minute repeater, and in 1993, it unveiled versions featuring automata depicting erotic scenes on the casebacks—an homage to a centuries-old horological tradition. Erotic watches had primarily appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries, most often as pocket watches with hidden enameled scenes beneath hinged covers, or as elaborate creations with animated automata.

Paying tribute to these historically intricate and mischievous timepieces, Blancpain began offering unique erotic minute repeaters—often as bespoke commissions—featuring engraved figures moving with the chimes. The present unique piece exemplifies Blancpain’s dual contribution during the 1980s and 1990s: not only to the renaissance of sophisticated mechanical complications, but also to the revival of traditional decorative arts like engraving and enameling in fine watchmaking.