Short answer
A Villeret 6659 clone is a replica of a Blancpain Villeret wristwatch. The 6659 number comes from the Villeret collection. Blancpain encodes case metal, dial color and strap in the reference suffix, so one 6659 differs from another 6659. Clone makers copy the case, dial and hands. They do not copy the Blancpain movement. The watch you get runs a third-party movement, most often a Miyota 9015 or an ETA 2824 pattern.
How the reference number works
Blancpain prints the full reference on the caseback. The 6659 block names the model. The digits after it name metal, dial and bracelet. Two watches that share the 6659 block can differ in weight and color. Quote the full number when you ask a seller for a clone. A seller who quotes 6659 alone may ship a different configuration.
Movements used in clones
- Miyota 9015: Japan, 24 jewels, 28,800 vph, about 42 hours of reserve.
- Sellita SW200 or an ETA 2824 pattern: 28,800 vph, about 38 hours of reserve.
- Seagull ST18 or ST21: China, lower cost, similar beat rate.
- Automatic base with an added calendar or moonphase module when the original carries one.
Ask for the movement number and a photo of the caseback before payment. A seller with no movement photo offers no proof.
Fake Villeret 6659 Watch: What to Check Before You Pay
Case, crystal and finishing
Most Villeret cases measure 38 mm to 42 mm across. Steel is the common material in the clone market. Gold plating appears on some builds. Check lug width and crown size against the original. Sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating is the baseline at the top of the clone market. Cheaper builds use mineral glass. Polished bevels on the lugs are the first place where rough finishing shows.
Dial checks
Print quality decides most of the look. Inspect the brand name, the line name and the seconds track. Text on low-grade clones sits thick or blurry under a loupe. Applied markers should sit flush and level. The date window should align with the aperture on every number.
Price bands
Reported prices in 2024 and 2025:
- Entry steel automatic: $150 to $300.
- Mid tier with sapphire and a Miyota or Sellita: $300 to $700.
- Top tier with gold plating or a decorated movement: $700 to $1,200.
No clone holds resale value. No clone carries a Blancpain warranty. Blancpain will not service a replica, and most watchmakers will not take one in for parts.
Legal position
Counterfeit watches infringe trademarks. US Customs can seize a shipment. Personal use carries lower risk than resale, but import seizure is real. Check the rule in your country before you order.