A replica Villeret 6659 is a copy of the Blancpain Villeret dress watch sold under that reference. Good copies copy the slim round case, the applied markers, and the calm dial. Cheap copies get the case thickness, the glass, and the movement wrong, and the watch looks like a costume piece on the wrist. Prices run from about $110 for a quartz version to $400 or more for a decorated automatic.
What Does the Villeret 6659 Look Like?
Villeret is Blancpain's classic dress line, and the 6659 sits in that family: a round case, a thin bezel, slim lugs, and a leather strap. Dials use Roman numerals or thin applied batons, and some versions add a calendar or a moon phase. Sellers often mix photos from several dial layouts on one product page, so match the pictures to the exact version you want before you order.
Case Size and Wrist Fit
Most copies of this model land between 38mm and 40mm across, which suits a wrist from 6.5 to 7.5 inches. Thickness matters more than width on a dress watch. Originals in this class run under 10mm thick; many copies add a millimeter or two, and that extra depth shows under a shirt cuff.
Ask for the case thickness in millimeters before you buy. A number beats a description, and a seller who has the watch in hand can measure it in a minute.
Movement Options in a Replica Villeret 6659
Four tiers show up in listings, and the movement decides how the watch feels on the wrist.
- Quartz: light, cheap, and the second hand ticks once per second. No mechanical dress watch does that.
- Entry automatic: a Chinese 2813 or similar. Sweeping seconds, rough rotor noise, about 40 hours of power reserve at best.
- Clone ETA 2824 or Seagull ST21: 28,800 beats per hour, about 38 hours of reserve, and a clean sweep. This is the tier worth buying.
- Decorated automatic: the same movement with Geneva stripes, blued screws, and an engraved rotor for an open caseback.
Get the movement named in writing. "High grade automatic" tells you nothing. "ETA 2824 clone, 28,800 vph" can be checked once the watch arrives.
Dial and Case Details That Reveal Quality
Start with the markers. Applied metal markers sit above the dial and cast a shadow; printed ones lie flat and look dull in photos.
On the date window, check the frame and the font. A bare cutout with no frame and an odd font is the easiest tell on a budget copy. Moon phase discs on lower tiers use printed paper or plastic, and the disc often sits off center.
Case finishing comes next. Brushed sides should meet polished bevels in a straight line, and macro shots show any wobble. Then check the crystal: sapphire resists scratches and mineral glass picks them up. Sellers list this in the spec sheet, so read it.
What Should a Replica Villeret 6659 Cost?
Price bands track the movement and the materials.
- $90 to $140: quartz, mineral glass, base strap.
- $150 to $250: automatic 2813, sapphire on some listings, a decent leather strap.
- $250 to $400: ETA 2824 clone or ST21, sapphire crystal, signed buckle.
- $400 and up: decorated movement, better dial printing, a case with sharper edges.
Rates and shipping costs move, so treat these as bands rather than fixed numbers. A $300 watch with a named movement beats a $450 listing that hides the spec.
How to Check a Seller Before You Pay
- Ask for photos of the exact watch in stock, not catalog images.
- Get the movement name, case size, thickness, and glass type in writing.
- Confirm the return window and who pays return shipping.
- Use a payment method with buyer protection. Wire transfers and gift cards leave you with no path back.
- Check that tracking works from day one and read the customs terms for your country.
A seller who answers these five points in one message is easier to trust than one who replies with a stock photo and a price.
Water Resistance, Service, and Daily Care
Treat any water resistance claim on a copy as decoration. Splash resistance is normal; swimming is a risk unless the caseback gasket and crown seals are real. Take the watch off for showers and pools.
Mechanical copies run best when serviced every three to five years, or sooner if they start losing time. A watchmaker can regulate a 2824 clone and replace the gaskets at the same visit. Keep leather straps dry and rotate them if you wear the watch daily.
FAQ: Replica Villeret 6659 Questions
Is a replica Villeret 6659 waterproof?
Most copies carry a 3ATM or 5ATM label with no testing behind it. Rain and hand washing are fine on a well-sealed copy; pools and showers are not. If water resistance matters to you, pick a diver-style copy instead of a dress watch.
How accurate is the timekeeping?
A 2824 clone at 28,800 vph runs within about 10 to 20 seconds a day out of the box. A watchmaker can tighten that to under 10 seconds for a small fee. Quartz versions keep better time but tick, which gives them away.
Which case size should I pick?
Measure your wrist and use the common rule of thumb: the case should cover about 70 percent of the flat top of your wrist. On a 6.5 inch wrist, 38mm looks right; on a 7.5 inch wrist, 40mm sits better. A dress watch that overhangs the wrist looks wrong no matter how good the dial is.
Can I wear it with black tie?
A slim Villeret copy on a black leather strap fits a tuxedo better than a sports watch. Keep the dial simple, skip the date when you have the choice, and match the strap color to your shoes.
Bottom Line
Match the dial version, the movement, and the case size to what you actually wear. A replica Villeret 6659 with an ETA 2824 clone, a sapphire crystal, and a 38mm to 40mm case reads as a dress watch rather than a copy.