Blancpain expands the Ladybird Colors collection with two highly jewelled interpretations that place gem-setting at the centre of the design while maintaining the mechanical identity that has long distinguished the line.
The new Ladybird Colors Diamond Bloom references 3662A-9696-99A in red gold and 3662-9496-99A in white gold combine elaborate snow-setting techniques with Blancpain’s moon-phase complication, integrating 919 diamonds totalling 4.794 carats across the case, dial, lugs and buckle.
Rather than treating gem-setting as a decorative addition, Blancpain approaches these new models as fully integrated jewellery watches in which the entire surface is conceived as a continuous field of light.
The 34.9 mm case, available in either 18-carat red gold or white gold, adopts softly rounded forms that reinforce this effect, while the crown itself is set with a rose-cut diamond.
Measuring 10.43 mm thick and water-resistant to 3 bar (30 metres / 100 feet), the case retains proportions intended to balance elegance with everyday wearability.
A key role is played by the snow-setting technique used throughout the watch.
This demanding artisanal process involves positioning diamonds of varying sizes in apparently irregular arrangements while minimising any visible metal between the stones.
The result creates a more organic and vibrant play of light compared to traditional symmetrical gem-setting patterns.
At the centre of the composition is a nacre perlée mother-of-pearl dial whose naturally textured surface reveals changing reflections in green and pink tones, a characteristic element of the Ladybird Colors collection.
Blancpain explains that this rare form of mother-of-pearl represents less than 2% of usable material extracted from each shell, with only one or two suitable dials obtainable from each specimen.
The dial itself incorporates 222 snow-set diamonds while preserving legibility through painted Roman numerals executed in glacier blue on the white-gold model and royal purple on the red-gold version.
To avoid interrupting the gem-setting, the Blancpain logo is transferred directly onto the underside of the sapphire crystal, creating the impression that it floats above the dial.
The familiar openworked sage leaf-shaped hands indicate the hours and minutes, while a small seconds display appears at 6 o’clock alongside Blancpain’s characteristic moon-phase indication.
As on previous Ladybird models, the moon displays a feminine face with closed eyes, pronounced eyelashes and a discreet beauty mark.
Powering both references is the automatic Blancpain manufacture calibre 1163L, visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
Measuring 26.2 mm in diameter and 4.58 mm thick, the movement is composed of 243 components and 30 jewels, operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour).
It delivers a power reserve of approximately 100 hours and is decorated with Geneva stripes in line with Blancpain’s traditional finishing standards.
Each version is delivered with two interchangeable alligator leather straps. The white-gold reference 3662-9496-99A is paired with Glacier Blue and Midnight Blue straps, while the red-gold reference 3662A-9696-99A includes White and Royal Purple options.
The new Blancpain Ladybird Colors Diamond Bloom references 3662-9496-99A and 3662A-9696-99A are produced in very limited quantities and priced at CHF 107,000. blancpain.com
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