Introducing UltraFino Rotondo, Bianchet’s First Rounded Timepiece

Bianchet presents the UltraFino Rotondo, a flying tourbillon that extends the Maison’s design language into a circular case form, moving away from the rectangular “tonneau” design long associated with the brand’s watches. On the occasion of Watches & Wonders Geneva, Bianchet unveils the UltraFino Rotondo in a bold step that delivers the same creative philosophy in a new expression.

With this release, the brand’s design approach evolves while remaining faithful to its core principle: form leads, function follows. The circular case translates this philosophy into a space defined by infinite symmetry, making this new model the first fully round case and movement in the company’s history.

The Rotondo is available in two distinct material executions: Grade 5 titanium and high-density carbon. In titanium, the watch emphasizes lightness and technical precision, while the carbon version adopts a contemporary, high-performance character that enhances the architectural depth of the skeletonized movement.

Designed with performance and wearing comfort in mind, the Rotondo offers water resistance to 100 meters and shock resistance tested to 5,000 G, underscoring its robustness. Despite its advanced technical character, the case measures 39.5 mm in diameter with a thickness of just 8.9 mm, achieving impressive slimness. Lightness remains central to the concept: the titanium version weighs 75 grams, while the ultra-light carbon edition comes in at just 48 grams, both figures including the integrated bracelet.

The openworked dial reveals the movement beneath. The mainspring barrel at 12 o’clock, secured by a curved bridge — serves as a visual anchor opposite the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. 

To the left, the design employs a subtle trompe-l’œil effect: while the gear train appears to be supported by multiple individual bridges, the architecture is more structurally unified than it first suggests. The hour indices are applied to the inner flange, and the hour and minute hands are coated in white Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility.

At the heart of the UltraFino Rotondo beats the in-house Calibre UR01, developed and produced within the Maison. This ultra-thin automatic flying tourbillon movement measures just 3.85 mm in thickness and weighs less than 8 grams, yet comprises 225 components. The titanium flying tourbillon, free of an upper bridge, appears to float within the movement, completing one full rotation every 60 seconds.

A suspended mainspring barrel optimizes vertical space while delivering a 60-hour power reserve. A solid 18K rose gold rotor works in harmony with the tourbillon, enhancing winding efficiency while adding a dynamic sense of depth to the architecture.

A bespoke winding and time-setting system has been developed to reduce friction, enhance tactile precision, and improve energy transfer. Dedicated shock-absorption solutions protect sensitive components at both the balance-wheel and structural levels, achieving a rare degree of durability for an ultra-thin automatic tourbillon. Each movement is hand-finished at the Bianchet atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds, with more than thirty hours devoted solely to hand-bevelling the bridges. Executing this level of finishing in Grade 5 titanium, one of the most demanding materials in contemporary watchmaking, represents a significant technical challenge.

Each edition is fitted with an integrated bracelet matching the case material and is accompanied by a colourful rubber strap, both secured with a titanium folding clasp.

The titanium version is priced at CHF 62,500 (approximately AED 287,000), while the carbon version retails at CHF 67,500 (approximately AED 310,000).

For more information, visit Bianchet’s official website.