Blancpain’s New Grande Double Sonnerie - Their Most Complex Watch To Date
Blancpain’s New Grande Double Sonnerie
Short version: Blancpain has introduced its most complex wristwatch to date — a grande sonnerie capable of playing two distinct melodies. It’s built around the new skeletonized 15GSQ movement and loaded with high complications. Below is a simple, detail-focused overview of what makes this watch special.
Official Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Page
What This Watch Actually Is
A grande sonnerie is one of the most demanding traditional complications, automatically chiming the hours and quarters as they pass. Blancpain has pushed the concept further by building the first wristwatch with two selectable chiming melodies. One melody follows the classic Westminster sequence, while the second is a unique Blancpain composition. Switching between them happens mechanically inside the case — a major technical accomplishment.
Key Technical Highlights
- Movement: Calibre 15GSQ — a fully skeletonized, hand-wound movement designed specifically for this watch.
- Chiming System: Grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, and minute repeater functions with four hammers and four gongs for a full acoustic range.
- Other Complications: A flying tourbillon and a retrograde perpetual calendar integrated directly into the main movement architecture.
- Component Count: More than 1,000 individual parts, assembled and finished entirely by hand.
- Case Size: Approximately 47mm, crafted in precious metal and engineered to maximize acoustic resonance.
Why Two Melodies Matter
Constructing a grande sonnerie is already among the most challenging feats in watchmaking. Adding a second, independently tuned melody requires a completely different mechanical sequence, extra components, and extremely precise coordination between the hammers, gongs, and regulators. Blancpain developed a system that allows the wearer to switch melodies without compromising sound clarity, volume, or durability.
Production and Pricing
The Grande Double Sonnerie is produced in extremely small numbers, with each piece requiring months of specialist work. Blancpain expects to make only a handful per year. Pricing begins around CHF 1,700,000, reflecting the complexity, materials, and level of craftsmanship involved.
Acoustic Engineering and Testing
To achieve consistent sound quality, Blancpain optimized the gongs, case structure, and striking mechanism using extensive acoustic testing. Custom regulators help eliminate excess noise, giving the chimes a cleaner and more stable tone. Each watch undergoes extended endurance testing to ensure it can strike reliably for years.
Five Common Questions
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Q: What makes the Grande Double Sonnerie different?
A: It’s the first wristwatch with two selectable grande-sonnerie melodies, paired with a minute repeater, tourbillon, and perpetual calendar. -
Q: What movement powers the watch?
A: Blancpain’s new calibre 15GSQ, a highly skeletonized movement with over a thousand parts and several integrated complications. -
Q: How large is the watch?
A: About 47mm in diameter. The size supports both the acoustic system and the open-worked architecture. -
Q: What does the watch cost?
A: Pricing starts around CHF 1,700,000, with variations depending on materials and customization. -
Q: Is production limited?
A: Yes. Only a very small number can be produced each year due to the level of hand assembly required.
