Ginza High Brand Guide

BLANCPAIN: Blancpain

BLANCPAIN：ブランパン

Blancpain (BLANCPAIN) is the world’s oldest surviving watch brand, founded in 1735 by Jean-Jacques Blancpain in the village of Villers in the Swiss Jura Valley. Boasting a history of approximately 290 years, it is a unique manufacture that has remained steadfast in its commitment to producing only mechanical watches, undeterred even by the quartz crisis.

Guided by the motto “Innovation is Tradition,” the brand has left an indelible mark on the history of watchmaking—including the creation of the world’s first true diver’s watch, the “Fifty Fathoms,” in 1953. You can experience its unique world at the “Nicholas G. Hayek Center” .

BLANCPAIN: Basic Information About the Blancpain Ginza Store

There are two official Blancpain boutiques in Ginza where you can experience the Blancpain world.

■ Blancpain Boutique Ginza (Nicholas G. Hayek Center)

The flagship boutique is located on the 4th floor of the "Nicholas G. Hayek Center" in Ginza 7-chome. After temporarily operating on the 14th floor at “Cité du Temps Ginza” starting in December 2024, it reopened in March 2025 with elegant interiors that carry on the traditions of furniture craftsmen from the Swiss Jura Valley, expressing the brand’s essence that “innovation is tradition.”

  • address (e.g. of house): 4F, Nicolas G. Hayek Center, 7-9-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8188
  • Phone number: 03-6254-7233
  • Business Hours: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (Mon–Sat) / 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (Sun & Holidays)
  • regular closing day: Year-end and New Year's holidays
  • Access: 3-minute walk from Exit A3 of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya and Ginza Lines
  • featureThe 118-square-meter boutique features the "Blancpain Library," which showcases the brand's history and iconic models, an elegant VIP area located further inside, and a fully equipped bar counter. The modern space, characterized by the rich texture of fine wood, refined metalwork, and flowing hexagonal fixtures, evokes the workshops of the skilled master watchmakers in the Juxi Valley.

■ Blancpain Boutique, Ginza Mitsukoshi

This new boutique, located on the 4th floor of the Ginza Mitsukoshi New Wing, opened on June 18, 2025. The design is inspired by the Blancpain workshops in the Joux Valley and features abundant use of high-quality cherry wood craftsmanship. Here, you can experience the brand’s 290-year tradition and its philosophy that “innovation is tradition” in a warm and luxurious space.

  • address (e.g. of house): 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212, Ginza Mitsukoshi New Wing, 4th Floor, Watch
  • Phone number: 03-3562-1111 (Ginza Mitsukoshi Main Switchboard)
  • Business Hours: Same as Ginza Mitsukoshi's business hours (usually 10:00 AM–8:00 PM)
  • Access: Directly connected to Exit A7 of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hibiya, and Marunouchi Lines
  • feature: Featuring a wide selection of Blancpain’s collections, including the iconic “Fifty Fathoms” diver’s watch and the classic “Villeret.” This location, situated within a department store, offers both the convenience of a central location and an authentic Blancpain experience that reflects 290 years of tradition, making it another key destination in Ginza alongside the Hayek Center.

It's good because it's in Ginza.

The biggest advantage of buying Blancpain in Ginza is the rich shopping environment that allows you to enjoy two distinct experiences—at the flagship store and the department store boutique—all within the same area.

The "Nicholas G. Hayek Center" is an iconic landmark of the Swiss watch industry; the building itself, designed by the Hayek family, is a showcase of world-class prestige brands. In the VIP area and at the bar counter at the rear of the elegant “Blancpain Library,” the opportunity to take your time admiring the watches while enjoying a drink is a luxury unmatched by any other Blancpain boutique worldwide.

Meanwhile, the "Ginza Mitsukoshi Boutique," which opened in June 2025, is a new location that combines the convenience of a department store setting with a luxurious spatial experience. While it’s easy to pop in while shopping, the warm cherry wood interior—modeled after the brand’s workshop in the Jū Valley—promises an authentic brand experience.

Both boutiques feature an extensive selection of models, including Fifty Fathoms, Villey, and Ladybird, boasting one of the most extensive collections among Blancpain boutiques worldwide. Located in the prime setting of Ginza, these boutiques offer a special opportunity to experience the 290-year history of the Manufacture.

BLANCPAIN: Who Wears Blancpain?

People who wear Blancpain,"True connoisseurs" who appreciate an unwavering passion for mechanical watches and the genuine value backed by 290 years of history, rather than flashy status symbols...is the main focus. "Rolex and Omega—let alone the Nautilus or Royal Oak—just aren't enough; I want a watch that appeals to true connoisseurs."—It enjoys overwhelming support among those with such a mature aesthetic sensibility.

Loved by business leaders, doctors, lawyers, ocean explorers, chefs, and cultural figures—all of whom have reached the pinnacle of their respective fields—the "Fifty Fathoms" has become a staple choice, particularly among adult men who enjoy diving and other marine sports.

Although the brand has a strong reputation for being male-oriented, it is also an innovative brand that created the world’s first self-winding ladies’ watch, the “Ladybird,” in 1956, and boasts a global following of sophisticated, mature women. Known for the anecdote that Marilyn Monroe was a devoted fan, it is a rare brand that fuses femininity with the essence of mechanical watchmaking.

BLANCPAIN: Blancpain Popular Products

At Blancpain, the following collections and models are particularly popular.

  • Fifty Fathoms Automatic (5015 Series) The original diver's watch, introduced in 1953. This legendary model was developed for the French Navy's special diving unit, and the modern version features a 45mm case and is water-resistant to 300 meters. Prices start at approximately 2,400,000 yen.
  • Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe (5000 Series) A modern, sporty derivative model featuring a slimmer version of the Fifty Fathoms design. Characterized by its 43mm case and ceramic construction, it is ideal for everyday wear. Prices start at approximately 1,800,000 yen.
  • Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback (5200 Series) A sophisticated model featuring a genuine flyback chronograph in a diver’s watch. This new release, featuring a ceramic case, captivates watch enthusiasts with its exquisite finish. Prices start at approximately 1,870,000 yen.
  • Villeret Automatic A quintessential dress watch from the brand, inspired by "Villeret," the birthplace of Blancpain. This timepiece exudes timeless elegance through its double-step bezel and Roman numerals. Prices start at approximately 1,900,000 yen.
  • Villeret Complete Calendar Moon Phase A multifunctional dress watch featuring a date display, month and day indicators, and a moon phase display, all highlighted by blued serpentine hands. A popular model that allows you to appreciate its intricate mechanisms. Prices start at approximately 2,050,000 yen.
  • Ladybird Ultra Plate Launched in 1956, this ladies’ collection features the world’s smallest self-winding movement. With a delicate case diameter of approximately 20 mm and a diamond-set bezel, it is a truly exquisite jewelry watch. Prices start at approximately 3,000,000 yen.

BLANCPAIN: Celebrities Who Wear Blancpain

Blancpain is beloved by many celebrities and cultural figures both in Japan and abroad. Here are just a few examples.

  • Yutaka Matsushige (actor): A devoted fan of the Fifty Fathoms. The founding model of the diver’s watch harmonizes perfectly with the commanding presence of this actor, who rose to national fame through *Solo Gourmet*. It was also featured in a special article on HODINKEE.
  • Shuntaro Miyao (ballet dancer and actor): A devoted watch enthusiast who swears by the Villeret Complete Calendar. He believes that wearing a calendar watch with a complex mechanism “enriches one’s life and makes one’s demeanor more refined.”
  • Ichiro (former professional baseball player): A devoted fan of the Villeret. While few celebrities and public figures own Blancpain watches, he is known for his unique aesthetic sensibility and for owning several Blancpain models.
  • Brad Pitt, actor: A devoted fan of the Fifty Fathoms. The world’s first authentic diver’s watch is the perfect match for the stylish charm of Hollywood stars.
  • Francis Ford Coppola (film director): A devoted fan of Villeret. He is also known for wearing a Villeret watch specially crafted for the cinematic master who created *The Godfather*.
  • Jacques-Yves Cousteau (ocean explorer): A devoted wearer of the Fifty Fathoms. A global legend in the world of ocean exploration, he has been a symbol of Blancpain’s practicality since the brand’s early days.
  • Marilyn Monroe (actress): She cherishes a vintage cocktail watch from the 1930s featuring a platinum case and 73 diamonds. In 2026, the “Ladybird Tribute” collection was released in a limited edition of seven pieces worldwide to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her birth.

BLANCPAIN: Blancpain Price Range (Approximate Prices)

The market price of Blancpain varies depending on the collection and model.

  • New (regular price): The entry-level "Villey Automatic" starts at around 1,300,000 yen, the popular "Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe" at around 1,800,000 yen, the "Fifty Fathoms Automatic" at approximately 2,400,000 yen, and the "Ladybird Ultra-Plate" at approximately 3,000,000 yen. For models featuring complex mechanisms such as tourbillons or minute repeaters, prices can range from 10 million yen to tens of millions of yen.
  • second-hand market: Starting at approximately 1.2 million yen for the "Fifty Fathoms 5015-1130-71S," approximately 1 million yen for the "Villeret Automatic 6651-1127-55B," and the "Bathyscaphe 5000-0240-O52A" starts at around 950,000 yen. Resale value varies by model, but popular Fifty Fathoms models have been trending upward in price since around 2021.
  • Price Revision Trends: It has been officially announced that, effective August 1, 2025, prices for popular models will increase by an average of 3 to 51 TP3T. This applies particularly to models in the Fifty Fathoms and Bathyscaphe series, and further price increases are expected in the future.
  • property (asset) value: While prices haven’t skyrocketed like those of Rolex or Patek Philippe, discontinued and limited-edition models consistently command a premium. Amid a global resurgence in the appreciation of mechanical watches, the brand’s value as the oldest watchmaker with a 290-year history is also being rediscovered.

BLANCPAIN: The Appeal and Our Recommendations

For Men: Perfect for mechanical watch enthusiasts who appreciate authenticity

The "Fifty Fathoms" and "Villeret Automatic" are the classics. The former combines an unparalleled heritage and practicality as the progenitor of diver’s watches, while the latter, as the pinnacle of slim dress watches, adds an air of elegance to any suit ensemble. For connoisseurs who wish to savor complex mechanisms, the “Villere Complete Calendar Moonphase” is the ultimate choice.

For Women: For women seeking an elegant and feminine mechanical watch

We recommend the "Ladybird Ultra Plate" and "Ladybird Colors." With a history dating back to 1956 as the world's first self-winding ladies' watch, these jewelry watches feature a delicate, petite size—true to their name, which means "ladybug"—and are adorned with sparkling diamonds. You can embrace the elegance beloved by Marilyn Monroe in a way that suits the modern woman.

BLANCPAIN: Blancpain Age Group

mainlyLate 30s to 70s and olderIt enjoys a broad appeal across all age groups. Its core customer base consists of mature adults with a deep appreciation for history and mechanical watches, and it enjoys overwhelming support particularly from established executives in their 40s and older, as well as watch connoisseurs. Thanks to the Fifty Fathoms’ sporty appeal, its fan base is also expanding among younger diving enthusiasts in their 30s.

BLANCPAIN: If you were buying one for yourself?

"Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe"or"Ville Automatic"We recommend these two models. The former best embodies the brand’s identity as the pioneer of diver’s watches, while the latter is a classic, slim dress watch that will serve you well for years to come. They are perfect for those who wish to own a timepiece “chosen only by true connoisseurs” to mark milestones such as business success, starting a new venture, or other significant life events.

BLANCPAIN: What if you're giving a Blancpain as a gift?

For men"Ville Automatic"or"Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe"are the classics. The former is ideal as an elegant, classic dress watch, while the latter is perfect as a sporty timepiece suited to an active lifestyle. For women,"Ladybird Ultra Plate"and ... and"Ladybird Colors"We highly recommend these diamond-studded jewelry watches, which make the ultimate gift to celebrate life’s special milestones, such as wedding anniversaries and 60th birthdays.

Summary

Blancpain truly comes into its own in the unique setting of Ginza. With a history dating back to 1735 as the world’s oldest surviving watch brand, an unwavering philosophy of crafting only mechanical timepieces, and the innovative spirit that led to the creation of the world’s first true diver’s watch in 1953—

The exquisite fusion of tradition and innovation embodied in the motto “Innovation is Tradition” has continued to captivate watch enthusiasts around the world for over 290 years. Blancpain is a masterpiece worthy of true connoisseurs who understand the essence of mechanical watches, uninfluenced by passing trends.

To make your shopping experience in Ginza even more special, why not pay a visit to the Blancpain Boutique Ginza?