Bianchet's UltraFino tourbillon integrates the Golden Ratio into modern watchmaking
Louise Burke 👁 Published 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 ...
Bianchet, the Swiss watchmaker known for its precision, has introduced the B 1.618 UltraFino tourbillon, designed using the Golden Ratio (1.618), a mathematical proportion historically linked to visual harmony and balance. The watch is crafted from high-performance materials like Grade 5 titanium or carbon composite, with every design detail adhering to this principle. The result? A smart balance of engineering precision and visual appeal.
The UltraFino series merges craftsmanship with cutting-edge engineering. Available in Grade 5 titanium or carbon composite, the models feature a sleek, tonneau-shaped case that reflects modern watchmaking design. The titanium version, such as the Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Skeleton Titanium Blue, comes with a Grade 5 titanium case known for its corrosion resistance. The UltraFino's UT01 flying tourbillon calibre weighs just 8 grams, demonstrating the watch's focus on lightweight, high-performance engineering. Despite its light build, the carbon model retains the same shock and water resistance as the titanium version. It features a monobloc carbon case and matching bracelet, presenting a sportier look.
In addition to its strong design features, the UltraFino integrates several key characteristics:
- Golden Ratio design: The entire UltraFino series is built around the Golden Ratio (1.618), a principle long linked to visual harmony. This design merges the principles of math and artistry, shaping both the case and movement into a functional timepiece.
- Shock resilience: The watch's case is said to withstand shocks of up to 5,000G. This resilience is achieved through the use of Grade 5 titanium, a material known for its strength and durability, commonly used in aerospace, medical, and marine applications.
- Featherweight mechanics: The UT01 flying tourbillon calibre weighs just 8 grams, lighter than two sheets of standard A4 paper. Thanks to precise titanium construction, the UltraFino offers lightness and durability, ensuring comfort without sacrificing strength. (For the carbon version, the monobloc carbon case offers an equally lightweight and robust design, maintaining the same resilience as the titanium model.)
- Optimised energy reserve: The openworked suspended barrel enhances the movement's visual depth and may also contribute to greater energy efficiency. This design shows that even slim watches deliver impressive mechanical performance.
- Fibonacci rotor craftsmanship: The solid gold rotor features intricate Fibonacci spiral engravings, adding an artistic touch that reinforces the watch's mathematical inspiration.
The carbon version of the UltraFino weighs around 32 grams for the case, with the weight increasing to 62 grams with the carbon bracelet or 52 grams when paired with the rubber strap.
The UltraFino is powered by the UT01 calibre, which has a height of just 3.85 mm. The internal architecture is symmetrical, with the barrel and tourbillon positioned opposite each other to improve efficiency and help maintain the 60-hour power reserve, as noted in a review by Monochrome Watches.
Instead of just being a sleek exterior, the UltraFino tourbillon combines mechanical precision, innovative materials, and craftsmanship.
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