Short answer

A replica Villeret 6654 copies the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet, reference 6654. The original is a 40 mm automatic with four calendar displays: day, date, month, and moon phase. Replicas sell from about $120 to $900. Dial printing and the calendar module decide the price.

What the original 6654 does

Blancpain lists the 6654-1127-55B as a stainless steel case, 40 mm across, water resistant to 30 m, with sapphire over the dial and over the caseback. The strap is alligator with a folding clasp. The dial carries applied gold Roman numerals. Two windows sit at 12 o'clock for the day and the month. A round aperture at 6 o'clock holds the moon phase. The date is not a window. A blued steel serpentine hand sweeps an outer track and points to the day of the month.

Calibre 6654 is automatic. Blancpain lists a power reserve of about three days. Corrections use correctors set under the lugs, so the case sides stay clean.

Replica tiers

Three groups cover most of the market.

  • Entry, $120 to $220: base automatic, 21,600 vph, a calendar module bolted on top. The moon aperture on many of these builds runs a 24-hour day and night disc, not a lunar disc.
  • Mid, $250 to $480: Miyota 9015 or a copy of an ETA 2836 with a modified calendar plate, 28,800 vph. Day and month wheels jump at midnight.
  • Top, $500 to $900: decorated rotor and bridges, sapphire with anti-reflective coating, 316L steel, correctors under the lugs, moon disc on a 29.5-day cycle.

Checks before you pay

  • Moon phase. A true disc moves one step in 29.5 days. A day and night disc makes a full turn in 24 hours. Ask for video of the aperture.
  • Case size. 40 mm matches the reference. Some copies use 39 mm cases with smaller dials.
  • Date track. Numerals on the outer ring must be even and sharp. Blurred print under macro is the common flaw.
  • Setters. The original hides correctors under the lugs. Push pins on the case side are a tell.
  • Crystal. Mineral glass sits on entry builds. Sapphire with coating sits on top builds.
  • Caseback. Check engraving depth and the reference number format.
  • Water. No replica factory pressure tests each watch. Keep it dry.

Care

Do not change the calendar between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. The gears are engaged and a forced change can strip the module. Wind the watch at the same time each day. Service the movement every three to five years, or when the calendar lags. Straps wear before movements do. Alligator replacements run $30 to $120.