One of my favorite classic complications is the simple complete calendar (day, date, and month) with moonphase. This type of watch–also known as a “triple-calendar” was very popular during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Although produced by a range of manufacturers today, perhaps my favorite is the Blancpain Leman Complete Calendar Moonphase watch.
This Blancpain timepiece has the wonderfully balanced look that is the hallmark of all good complete calendar watches. The moonphase disc is at six o’clock, and right above it is the window-type displays for the day of the week, and the month; the date is shown by the classic and very charming pointer hand, with a little crescent that frames the date, making it easier to read.
Like all the models within the Leman watch collection, Blancpain has engineered this timepiece to be water resistant to 100 meters, an excellent level of protection that makes it very practical for day-to-day wear, as well as suitable for swimming and general water immersion; the fact that the crown and caseback both screw-down gives an extra level of security that I really appreciate over its dressier sibling, the Villeret Complete Calendar Moon Phase. Also very nice is the slightly sporty aspect that the luminous sword-shaped hands and luminous markers give the dial–the elegance is there, but this Leman is also versatile enough to work with more casual clothing as well.
