Bianchet Unveils the B1.618 Grande Date Sapphire Edition

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Bianchet, the Swiss watchmaker renowned for its prestigious tourbillon timepieces, is proud to introduce the B1.618 Grande Date Sapphire Edition—a timepiece that redefines transparency and elegance in haute horlogerie. This latest model, an exquisite reinterpretation of the award-winning Flying Tourbillon Grande Date B1.618, will be unveiled at the Geneva Watch Days from August 29th to September 2nd, 2024.

The B1.618 Grande Date Sapphire Edition stands as a testament to Bianchet‘s dedication to innovation and craftsmanship. For the first time in watchmaking history, a case seamlessly combines sapphire crystal with rubber, an achievement that underscores the brand’s mastery of material innovation. Sapphire, a material only second to diamond in hardness, presents significant challenges in machining and finishing. Yet, Bianchet‘s design team has ingeniously integrated rubber seams into the construction, retaining the brand’s signature aesthetic with two rubber gaskets that underline the purity of the case’s design. This pioneering combination reaffirms Bianchet‘s brand identity as fusing precious materials with cutting-edge technology.

The crystal clear case of the Grande Date Sapphire Edition reveals the intricate architecture of Bianchet‘s in-house caliber, making the movement itself the protagonist of the watch. The soft curves of the tonneau case, which has been even more streamlined to offer maximum transparency, are perfectly complemented by the fluidity of the movement components within,   all arranged according to the timeless principles of the Fibonacci spiral and the golden ratio of 1.618. Whether bathed in sunlight or illuminated indoors, the case embraces the light, allowing it to dance across the satin-brushed or sandblasted surfaces of the movement and its meticulously hand-polished bevel edges, creating an interplay of shadows and reflections that is as captivating as it is elegant.

At the heart of this timepiece is the Flying Tourbillon openwork movement, crafted entirely in titanium and designed to appear as though it is levitating within the case, thanks to the ball-bearing mechanism that supports the tourbillon cage from the back. The tourbillon, renowned in the world of haute horlogerie for its ability to defy gravity, is a masterpiece of watchmaking precision and an everlasting symbol of elegance.

This latest edition reaffirms Bianchet‘s history of innovative material combinations. The brand has previously introduced exclusive carbon composites enhanced with unique reflections of titanium dust, and the bold marriage of solid gold with carbon fiber in its latest Hybrid Gold watches. The Grande Date Sapphire continues this tradition, showcasing Bianchet‘s commitment to blending high-tech and precious materials with the art of Swiss fine watchmaking craftsmanship.

This timepiece is completed with a white vulcanized rubber strap and a titanium folding clasp, each element thoughtfully designed to complement the overall aesthetic. The back of the watch maintains the transparency theme, providing a view of the movement’s fluidity and the harmony of its components, which have been built using the Golden Circles. The result is a harmonious timepiece offering a streamlined tactile experience where the distinctions between materials blur cohesively.

Limited to just 21 pieces, the Grande Date Sapphire Edition is carefully hand-finished and assembled at Bianchet‘s atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. 

Bianchet B1.618 Grande Date Sapphire Edition Technical Specifications

Movement

• Manual wound Flying Tourbillon with Big Date complication
• Power Reserve: 90 hours (+/- 5%)
• Flying tourbillon 60 seconds:
• Tourbillon cage in titanium, mounted on ball bearings
• Adapted to 6 positions.
  Frequency: 3hz – 21’600 vibrations/hour
• Skeletonized Grande Date complication.
• Titanium main plate and bridges.
• Non-magnetic tourbillon cage.
  Balance wheel with variable inertia.
• Finishing:
  • Hand-finished.
  • Hand beveling on titanium bridges and tourbillon cage.
  • Sand-blasted, satin-brushed main-plates and bridges.
  • Lacquer applied by hand tourbillon cap, and big date.
• Manufacturing Partners:
  • Inhotech
  • Precision Engineering
  • Feller
  • Crelier
  • Goldec
  • Bandi
  • AE Decolletages
  • Ultradec
  • Protofil
  • CMT Rickenbach
  • Quickparts
  • GMG

Case

• Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)
• Materials
  • Sapphire crystal and natural vulcanized rubber.
  • Crown in grade 5 titanium.
• Finishing
  • Polished case, finished by hand.
  • Sand-blasted and hand-polished crown.
  • Rubber seams applied by hand.
• Glass: Sapphire crystal on bezel and back with glare-proof treatment on both sides
• Dimensions: W: 43 mm L: 51 mm H: 14.35 mm

Strap

• Natural vulcanized rubber Folding clasp in grade 5 titanium

About Bianchet
Bianchet is a Swiss luxury watchmaker that unites age-old design principles, ultramodern style, cutting-edge materials, high performance, and traditional Haute Horlogerie techniques to create exceptional tourbillon timepieces. With a passion for fine watchmaking and an eye for style, the brand’s founders embrace beauty with incredible attention to detail. At the same time, mathematical principles such as the Golden Ratio are integral to the brand’s designs. Specializing in Tourbillon watches, Bianchet prides itself on its accuracy. With its in-house, proprietary flying-tourbillon calibers and premium technological materials, the brand is a trailblazer in modern Swiss watchmaking. Every detail in a Bianchet watch is embedded in the passion and love for design, Haute Horlogerie, and technology, from the shapes, colors, materials, and finishing to the sophisticated micro-engineering horological complications.