November 25, 2025
Blancpain has released its most complicated watch to date, the Grande Double Sonnerie, with a price tag of 1.7 million CHF. For a sum that enters the realm of fine art and real estate, the central question for any serious collector is straightforward: does this mechanical marvel deliver commensurate value, or is it a masterpiece of diminishing returns? Let’s break it down.
The Verdict at a Glance: Pros & Cons
For any high-value acquisition, a clear-eyed assessment is crucial. Here is where the Grande Double Sonnerie stands:
- Pros: The primary value lies in its unique achievement as the world’s first grand sonnerie with two selectable chiming melodies. The technical execution is flawless, integrating a perpetual calendar and flying tourbillon into an openworked, wearable design. The full gold construction, including the gongs, ensures exceptional acoustic quality.
- Cons: The 1.7 million CHF price is the most significant barrier, placing it beyond reach for all but a handful of global collectors. Practically, the sonnerie’s 12-hour power reserve demands frequent winding, and the 47mm case size remains substantial. Finally, with a production of only two units per year, availability is almost non-existent.
Positioning in the Horological Stratosphere
In the elite world of grand complications, manufactures like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin are the benchmarks. While those brands produce their own chiming masterpieces, Blancpain has carved out a unique niche here. The defining feature—the selectable dual-melody—is not an incremental improvement. It’s a bold statement of acoustic innovation that sets it apart from more traditional competitors, focusing on emotional resonance as much as pure technical function. It positions the watch not just as a timekeeper, but as a unique mechanical musical instrument.
Final Recommendation: Who Is This Watch For?
This timepiece is not for the typical luxury buyer. The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie is designed for an exceptionally specific individual: the apex collector who values historical firsts and unparalleled mechanical novelty above all else. This is an investment in a landmark of horological engineering. The buyer isn’t acquiring a watch; they are commissioning a piece of history. For the client to whom price is a secondary consideration and a ‘world’s first’ is the ultimate prize, the Grande Double Sonnerie doesn’t just represent value—it exists in a class of one.
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