NIB Blancpain Le Brassus Chronograph Rattrapante 18K RG MSRP: $49,400. 55% Off...WOW..!! Ref: 4246F-3642-55B. Start Price USD 26,975.00 Current Price USD 26,975.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, August 28, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 07, 2008 Location Spokane, Washington See more about 'NIB Blancpain Le Brassus Chronograph Rattrapante 18K RG' Description Hello All:Up for your consideration is my BNIB Blancpain “Le Brassus” Chronograph Rattrapante with Power Reserve, in 18K-Rose Gold/Crocodile/18K-Rose Gold Deployant. This is Blancpain Ref.: 4246F-3642-55B, and it is one chubby pat of 18K Butter…!Having owned many complicated timepieces, I can tell you personally what makes the Le Brassus so special. Although not as high up on the complicated food chain of complexity, a Split-Second Chronograph with a Power-Reserve function is no mere skip of a flat rock.Most collectors see the Tourbillon as a seminally complex movement elaboration for modern wristwatches. Some would say it’s a horological plexus, because indeed, it is remarkable. However, as extraordinary the Tourbillon is, you will bore quickly watching it do its gyro-like function…you’ll tell your watch collecting comrades you can never bore of such micro-mechanical splendor, such historical artistry, and on, and on. Deep inside…you’re bored…!I personally love a Tourbillon, although I find Breguet’s early “à tact” timepieces far more intriguing. Because of these reasons, I believe that the single greatest joy in ownership of a Tourbillon equipped timepiece is in saying you own one.A more important movement, as far as complexity is concerned is the Minute Repeater. A striking hammer, two if your lucky, with a possibility of cathedral carillon timbre is both visually and aurally pleasing. Plus you never tire of knowing the time when it is sung to you.Unfortunately, the more sophisticated the Minute Repeater is, the more they cost. When you begin seeing names like Petit Sonnerie, and Grande Sonnerie applied to Minute Repeaters, watch out, your wallet is in for a bruising, because a half-a-million dollars doesn’t buy what it used to…!There are more complications to like and to love. As for the Le Brassus available here, its complications are less than the two mentioned above, but in my estimation, its complications are far more impressive than half of them.Beginning life as an already magnificent F. Piguet Caliber 1185 Automatic Chronograph movement with a vertical-clutch actuated column-wheel for the control of the chronograph, Blancpain next adds a Rattrapante function (what BP calls, “a mechanical clutch and memory mechanism”), they then add a center crown Split-Reset pusher, finally they add the Power-Reserve gauge. The result is an all new Caliber for Blancpain, the Cal: 40F6, and an all new parts tally, going from 304 parts to an impressive 398 parts.With a 37 jewel count and a 40-hour Power Reserve, Blancpain makes 21,600 VPH look easy. For the white-coated Keeblers’ in Le Brassus, creations like this are easy. For us mere mortals the easy part is in appreciation of such exquisite artistry.One look through the 18K-Rose Gold, and sapphire exhibition caseback will affirm this fact. The hand-cut automatic rotor is stunning in the depth of its guilloche, and delicate in its swing. From here we begin the visual trek through Blancpain’s abundant pearlage, tasteful Côtes de Genève, and essential plate beveling…Amazing…!When you’re finished admiring the view from behind, and please take your time, turn this 42mm x 15.1mm Rubenesque beauty over for a full frontal view that will leave you without breath.Upon a canvas of Opaline, Blancpain begins with their signature mini-Roman’s. Perfect as usual in their delicacy, these tiny dividers of twelve are flawless in their Rose-Gold application.Following form, the Rose Gold hour and minute hands are equally delicate, and done in slender Feuille style. The ever-so-slender chrono and split chrono hands only Feuille at their pendulum…awesome…!The three remaining hands are seen in the two sub dials of enormous proportions, and in the Power-Reserve pane...they too are done in Rose Gold. These three sub-tools also follow the Feuille style. All font markings on the dial are done in micro Ebony, and are extremely easy to read. Finality of palette art arrives at six-o’clock where you will find the date aperture just below the Blancpain signature...Beautiful touch...!Not only is this Le Brassus both an amazing, and practical complication, its aesthetic is truly captivating. Consider just the Rattrapante function alone as it pertains to dial fulfillment. When those two slender, Golden legs are spread, the view is truly magnificent…So Sweet…!!The above view comes courtesy of a double AR-coated sapphire crystal. While AR-coating at this level is a relatively modern technique for timepieces, modern takes a step aside when looking at the graceful Feuille hands, the almost exiguous Roman numerals, and the classic case and lug design.This conservative lug work creates an ample toe-hold for the padded and straight-ended, light-sepia, Crocodile strap. From the strap, you enter the new Blancpain spring-loaded and tang-like solid 18K-Rose Gold deployant. Tang-like, in that the straps holed end slides through a conventional fixed tang, yet needn’t ever be removed from the tang as the spring-loaded, and double-folding butterfly deployant allows full extension of the strap over your fist…This is truly great stuff…!!If you’re lucky (?), your local Blancpain Boutique may have one of these marvelous timepieces under their harsh Halogens. If they do, go check it out…feel it, play with it, experience it. Then, come back here, as “Boutique Pricing” will be substantially higher than mine, and their felt-up, played-with and over-experienced BP will pale in comparison to my un-molested, and respectfully loved Le Brassus…!!Being Brand-New, this BP is flawless. The highly polished 18K-Rose Gold case, and Blancpain signed 18K-Rose Gold deployant shine like mirrors. The AR coated sapphire crystal, and wear-indicator protected caseback are pristine. On the back sides of the four lugs, the purity Hallmarks look freshly struck. This important timepiece has never been worn. The large-grained Crocodile strap is perfect in both aesthetic, and in grain symmetry. It lays without curvature, as it has since being shipped from Switzerland. This Le Brassus anxiously awaits one lucky aficionados tenure…!!Here are the goodies that follow this Royal Dandy: All boxes and papers.The suggested retail for this beautiful 18K-Rose Gold Blancpain, in this iteration is $49,400. Finding one today, as mentioned earlier, is extremely difficult as these BP’s were produced in such limited numbers and are usually found at only the largest Blancpain Boutiques.My “Buy-It-Now” price represents a savings of almost 40%…try asking your BP dealer for that discount…then ask them if they will waive the sales tax…we both know the answer, yes…?The payment terms are as follows; PayPal (Confirmed Only), cashier’s check, money order, wire transfer or personal check (clearing time).Please note: Along with the above forms of accepted payment, I am also happy to accept the three main credit cards; Visa, Master Card and American Express.Insured UPS “Second-Day Air” shipping will be “Free” to anywhere in the USA. International shipping will also be “Free”.I respectfully ask that zero-feedback bidders please contact me prior to bidding.I am happy to answer all questions. Please feel free to call: 201-816-2559.Finally: With my new format I will be consistently showcasing more and more elite timepieces from Switzerland, so please take a look at my other auctions while you’re here. Thanks for looking and good bidding all.Peace,Phil Place a Bid!