Blancpain Villeret UltraplatevsRolex Datejust

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Measurements

Catalog photos are all shot at the same flattering size. These aren't: every case below shares one millimeter scale.

Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate at true scale

Villeret Ultraplate

Rolex Datejust at true scale

Datejust

Diameter

29mm

31mm

Thickness

9.1mm

n/a

Water Resistance

30m

100m

highest

Power Reserve

40h

55h

highest

MSRP

$37,600

$9,350

lowest

Movement

913

2236

Case

7 specs
Diameter
29mm
31mm
Thickness
9.1mm
n/a
Lug Width
n/a
n/a
Material
Red gold
Oystersteel
Finish
Red gold
White Rolesor - combination of Oystersteel and white gold
Water Resistance
30m
100m
Caseback
n/a
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
n/a
Flat
Dial Color
n/a
Light Green
Indices
n/a
Index
Lume
None
Chromalight

Movement

7 specs
Caliber
913
2236
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
40h
55h
Jewels
0
31
Hacking
No
Yes
Hand-winding
No
Yes
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$37,600
$9,350
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Reviews

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate

Owners praise the Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate's clean dial, applied Roman numerals, and dial reflections, with one owner noting the counterweight is smooth and rose gold. Some find the dial too minimal and prefer more visual interest, while others dislike the lumed hands. The Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate is considered good value on the pre-owned market, with a new price of $5K. On balance, owners and reviewers appreciate the Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate for its pure dress watch aesthetic and refined dial details.

Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Datejust is widely praised for its aesthetic variety, robust elegance, and versatility, making it suitable for daily wear in various settings. Owners consistently highlight the exceptional comfort of the Jubilee bracelet, with some preferring its "pizzazz" over the sportier Oyster bracelet. The 36mm size is frequently noted for its tasteful proportions, though opinions on dial colors and bezel styles, such as fluted or domed, vary among enthusiasts. Some configurations, particularly those with fluted bezels and Jubilee bracelets in specific dial colors, are considered highly sought-after, though wait times can be significant. The Rolex Datejust is not considered a good investment, as it typically depreciates upon purchase. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Rolex Datejust highly for its versatile style and comfortable wearability, representing a foundational piece of the brand's legacy.

From video reviewers

The fluted bezel is a consistent highlight. Reviewers did not agree on any specific weaknesses.