Eric Singer Discusses His Blancpain Melody
Blancpain approached KISS drummer Eric Singer to create a unique four‑note melody for its ultra‑complicated Grande Double Sonnerie watch, a piece that combines grand and petite sonnerie, minute repeater, a flying tourbillon and a retrograde perpetual calendar. The challenge lay in composing a memorable tune using only the four notes of the traditional Westminster chimes, a limitation that required close collaboration with keyboardist Derek Sherinian and extensive testing of melodic combinations until a final sequence was chosen. The watch, valued at around $2 million, allows wearers to switch between the classic chimes and Singer’s original melody, highlighting the synergy between musical timing and mechanical precision. Singer’s long‑standing passion for both music and horology made him an ideal partner for the project, and his friendship with Blancpain CEO Marc Hayek facilitated the collaboration. During the development, Singer observed the meticulous process of tuning the watch’s gongs, where tiny adjustments to metal pieces are made to achieve the correct pitch. This experience reinforced his view of watches as personal art pieces and milestones, linking the rhythmic discipline of drumming with the intricate craftsmanship of high‑end watchmaking.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights the unique convergence of music and haute horology, showcasing how Eric Singer’s four‑note melody not only personalizes a technically complex Blancpain watch but also exemplifies the artistic synergy between rhythmic precision and mechanical craftsmanship, underscoring the cultural significance of timekeeping as both functional art and personal expression.
