The Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate is now available in 38mm, alongside the emblematic 40mm. We got a quick look and handled it at the Blancpain Boutique in Singapore recently. Here is our Quick Takes.

Review: Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate – now in 38mm!

The Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate 38mm Ref. Ref. 6224N 1135 55B in a steel case with a sunburst salmon dial retails at CHF 9,600 / SGD 15,000.

The other version in SS is with a gold toned opaline dial retails for the same price. The red gold version comes with the gold toned opaline dial retails at CHF 19,700.

The new 38mm case for the Villeret is available in two variants stainless steel (our review sample is with the glorious sunray finished salmon dial) and one in a red gold case. The novelties are in the regular collection and is an addition to the existing editions in 40mm.

The movement is unchanged from the 40mm version released last year and is the Blancpain Manufacture caliber 1150. This means that this caliber in the 40mm case uses a movement ring with thicker bezels, while the 6224, being just 38mm in diameter is a more shoe-in fit for the 26.2mm movement. The case thickness of the new version is also slightly lower at 8.35mm vs 8.7mm for the 40mm.

But to me, the magic is in the dial. Though a simple sunray finished dial in salmon hue, it is captivating. This is the first Villeret watch to carry the salmon hued dial. The rest of the Villeret collection is mainly very mild silvery or opaline tones, and this salmon hue is a striking change. And it does go well with the cold stainless steel case. The sunburst finish shows as striations which shifts through the day from copper to rose to gold. The dial’s character is enhanced with 18k yellow gold numerals which are treated in a new black finish.

On the wrist, the 38mm wears well on my wrist. As does the 40mm. We have already established that my 180mm flat wrist wears most watches very nicely. But for smaller wrists, the 38mm is a welcome boon. The smaller size is perfect for the gentleman or lady, and is an elegant dress watch. If a more muted look is required, Blancpain offers the same watch with a gold opaline dial which is more subtle. But I prefer the salmon.

I find the pricing at just below CHF 10k to be a rather excellent value proposition. The watch is handsome. The design is simple, but with an elegance and discreetness that only the sophisticated and cultured can understand. Coupled with the watchmaking pedigree of a Blancpain: the magnificent in-house designed and manufactured automatic movement, finished well. This is an excellent candidate for a dress watch at the entry price level.