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You are here: Home / Movements / Blancpain R-550

Blancpain R-550

Last Update: April 24, 2020

Brand:Blancpain
Family:
Unknown
Height:3.85 mm
Jewels:17
Reserve:40 hours
Frequency:21,600 A/h
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:11.85 mm
© Rayville  Complications:
Hands:Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding
Counter-Clockwise Balance Cock
Screwed Balance
Balance
Balance at 7:30
Barrel at 1:30
Production: 1956 – 1979
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Blancpain’s “Ladybird” Cal. R-550 was the smallest movement on the market when it was introduced in 1956. It would carry the manufacture through the 1970s in many ladies models and was among the last movements produced by the famed company before it was restarted in the 1980s.

The Ladybird movement measures 11.85 mm diameter and has a volume of just 425 cubic mm. Although hand made, it had tolerances of just 1/1000 mm and was fully jeweled. The tiny balance was quite heavy, with 22 gold screws for poise, and it boasted 40 hours of power reserve. Some sources show the diameter as 13.2 mm and list 33 gold screws. Perhaps this was true of later examples, but a 1957 Europa Star advertisement clearly states the numbers above.

Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

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