Bianchet Tonneau UltraFino Black Ceramic: Flying Tourbillon
Black ceramic, an open-worked titanium movement, and a slim rose gold band: Bianchet gives the Tonneau UltraFino a new material aesthetic. The Black Ceramic combines an integrated ceramic bracelet with the flying tourbillon caliber UT01. Its sporty appearance stems from the case architecture; the precious details are deliberately understated.
A Golden Joint as a Structural Element
The line beneath the bezel, known as the “Golden Line,” is not a painted decoration. It consists of a separately manufactured component made of 18-karat rose gold that is inserted between the case layers. Bianchet usually uses rubber in this spot. In the new version, the gold accentuates the contour of the tonneau case and is echoed in the hands and the winding rotor.
The case measures 40 millimeters in width and 47.5 millimeters in length. At 8.9 millimeters thick, it remains exceptionally slim for an automatic tourbillon watch. Satin-finished surfaces and polished bevels accentuate the black high-tech ceramic. It is water-resistant to 5 bar.
UT01: Flat design, unobstructed view
The in-house UT01 caliber, developed and assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is 3.85 millimeters high. Its skeletonized architecture is crafted from Grade 5 titanium with a black PVD coating. The flying tourbillon is positioned at 6 o’clock; its non-magnetic titanium cage measures 2.66 millimeters in height. The flying barrel is located at 12 o’clock. The power reserve is approximately 60 hours.
On the back, a central rotor made of 18-karat rose gold handles the automatic winding mechanism. Its geometry and that of the bridges reflect the brand’s design inspiration drawn from the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio. Bianchet also incorporates a structural objective into this design: the arrangement is intended to absorb and distribute forces resulting from the rotor’s inertia during impacts.
Mechanical Precision with a Sporty Edge
The brand specifies a shock resistance of up to 5,000 g. Bianchet estimates that it takes more than 30 hours of work to hand-finish the bridges. It is precisely the combination of this delicate surface finish with a flat, openly visible architecture that defines the character of the watch.
The integrated ceramic bracelet comes with an additional black rubber strap. A quick-change system makes it easy to swap straps and significantly changes the watch’s look: as a solid ceramic piece or with a softer, sportier strap. The price is 80,500 Swiss francs, excluding taxes.
