BLANCPAIN’S TRIBUTE TO MARILYN MONROE
“I want to be loved by you” …
Most of us are familiar with the history of the celebrated “Fifty Fathoms” dive watch, but did you know there is another legend in Blancpain’s history? An actual person, a Hollywood legend? Marilyn Monroe, born on June 1, 1926, was the owner of a Blancpain wristwatch, and to commemorate her centennial birth date and her luxury Blancpain timepiece, the Swiss watch brand has created the “Ladybird Tribute”, a capsule collection of seven unique pieces directly inspired by the watch that was hers.
Acquired by Blancpain at a Los Angeles auction in 2016, probable production date of Marilyn’s watch is estimated from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. Designed with Art Deco characteristics, the platinum case is rectangular in form, dominated by strong vertical architectural lines, set with 71 brilliant-cut diamonds and 2 marquise diamonds. Inside, the FHF 59 movement - a miniature baguette caliber - is double-signed, with “Blancpain” and “Rayville Watch Co.” respectively engraved on the ratchet wheel and lever bridge. Yellow gold applied markers and a Blancpain logo crossing its width decorate the rectangular opaline dial.
The “Ladybird Tribute” retains many of the distinctive elements from the original: the opaline dial, yellow gold applied hour markers, and the ever-important geometric Art Deco architecture. Reinterpretations include the 35 mm x 16 mm x just 6.50 mm thick case material, now in 18K white gold rather than platinum. And it now features a sapphire exhibition case back, revealing the in-house Caliber 510 manual-winding movement, composed of 125 elements while measuring a mere 2.60 mm in thickness and offering a power reserve of 52 hours. Full decorative gem-setting now comprises 85 diamonds weighing 13.60 carats.
As a final personal tribute to the unique Hollywood legend, each piece is individually engraved on the case back with one of the 7 letters that compose the name M-A-R-I-L-Y-N, and each is presented on a double-wrap calf strap in a 1 of 7 exclusively developed Pantone colours inspired by the unmistakable universe of Marilyn Monroe.
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