Blancpain: The world's oldest watch brand

With over 285 years of history, the Swiss brand Blancpain is considered the oldest watchmaker in the world. Over several centuries, this brand has managed to maintain an unwavering commitment to innovation, precision and exclusivity, positioning itself as one of the most respected and desired brands in the world of fine watchmaking. 

But beyond its historical legacy, this brand is recognised today for its resilience and commitment to sustainability. They have consistently proven their reliability and ability to adapt to modern times, without losing the essence of traditional craftsmanship and the philosophy and values that define them. 
 

The historical legacy

Blancpain was founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in Villeret, a small Swiss town in the canton of Bern. As with all stories worth telling, Blancpain began as a small family workshop, which quickly gained a reputation due to the precision and quality of its timepieces. Specialising in handcrafted production, Blancpain has been characterised by the manual techniques that are still the cornerstone of the brand today. With its philosophy, based on the creation of unique and durable timepieces, the company has managed to stand out even among ever-growing competition in the Swiss watch industry.

But the real trigger for the company's expansion arrived in the early 19th century, when Jehan-Jacques' grandson, Frédéric-Louis Blancpain, introduced key innovations in watchmaking, such as the transformation of traditional pocket watches into wristwatches. This visionary change enabled Blancpain to remain at the forefront of the industry. 

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Blancpain continued to develop its reputation for excellence in the face of economic crises and stiff industry competition. However, its commitment to innovation and quality never waned. In 1932, however, the Blancpain family ceased to be directly involved in the management of the company, handing the brand over to the Betlach family.

But it was not until 1953 that Blancpain introduced one of its most iconic models: the Fifty Fathoms, the very first diver's watch, designed specifically for French military diving teams. Not only was this watch revolutionary in its ability to withstand depths of up to 90 metres, but it would also set the standard for safety and precision in diving watches. Over the years, the Fifty Fathoms has been adopted by military and civilian forces around the world.

The perfect blend of tradition and innovation

Nowadays, Blancpain remains synonymous with craftsmanship and innovation. Faithful to its mechanical roots, it has never developed quartz watches, while introducing innovations such as perpetual calendars and tourbillons. Furthermore, its limited-run production ensures the authenticity and exclusivity of every watch, increasing its value. Thanks to this successful melding of tradition and modernity, Blancpain has secured a prominent place in the luxury watchmaking market. 

But beyond its dedication to watchmaking excellence, Blancpain has also proven its strong commitment to sustainability. Through its Blancpain Ocean Commitment programme, this brand supports a number of marine conservation initiatives, funding scientific expeditions and projects aimed at protecting aquatic ecosystems. Blancpain has thus made it clear that its legacy is not restricted to creating luxury timepieces, but also extends to contributing to the well-being of the planet. In this way, by connecting its brand image with ocean conservation, it has managed to stand out in a competitive market, not only for its products, but also for its values.