Founded in 2021, Bianchet is a young independent brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, specializing in contemporary tonneau-shaped timepieces that combine advanced materials with architectural mechanics. The brand's designs are based on the golden ratio (1.618), which influences the proportions of their cases, bridges and even their rotors. Last year's Model B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon introduced a monoblock carbon case paired with a fully integrated carbon bracelet. This was the first time an independent brand achieved such a design on a tonneau sports watch. We had the chance to discover it first hand; Here are our impressions.
Feather-light, slim and yet robust housing
The Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon features a 40mm wide, 47.39mm long and 8.9mm thick case made entirely of high-density carbon composite reinforced with vulcanized rubber inserts. The casing is made from 500 layers of compressed carbon fiber, each arranged at 45-degree angles to optimize strength and shock resistance. The construction is very robust, which is surprising for such a light object, with shock resistance of up to 5,000G and water resistance of up to 50m.
Weighing just 32 grams without the bracelet, the UltraFino Carbon is exceptionally light, even by titanium standards. With the integrated carbon bracelet, the total weight is just 62 grams (or 52 grams for the rubber bracelet). The distinct layered grain of carbon gives each piece a unique organic pattern. A colored rubber seal, available in sky blue, red or white, frames the case and crown and adds an accent to the dark carbon architecture.
Openwork dial and tourbillon
The Bianchet UltraFino Carbon features an openwork dial that reveals the brand's UT01 automatic flying tourbillon movement. The skeletonized construction follows a symmetrical structure, with the suspended barrel at 12 o'clock and the tourbillon cage at 6 o'clock. The “structure” of the dial features gently brushed and sandblasted titanium components with black PVD treatment and hand-polished bevels. The hour and minute hands have luminous tips in the colors of the case seal. Applied hour markers improve readability against the very technical background.
The movement
The UltraFino Carbon is powered by Bianchet's own caliber UT01, an automatic, ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement. At 3.85mm thick and weighing just 8 grams, it is one of the lightest automatic tourbillons currently manufactured. Made entirely of titanium, the movement features a suspended barrel and a minute tourbillon with a 2.66mm cage. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 60 hours.
The gold rotor, inspired by Fibonacci spirals, rotates in both directions while maintaining peripheral balance to absorb shock. The finish is of a high standard, with black PVD coated bridges with sandblasted and satin textures, as well as polished bevels marked on the dial side and back.
The details
The watch comes with a high-density carbon strap, fastened with a titanium folding clasp, ensuring lightness and structural continuity, and a vulcanized natural rubber strap in a color matching the case gasket, also with a titanium folding clasp. Both are equipped with a quick release system. The integration between case and bracelet is seamless and helps maintain the flowing tonneau profile that defines the UltraFino design.
The Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon comes with a five-year guarantee for the price of CHF 65,500 (excluding taxes). Objectively speaking, a lot of money, but not that crazy for a tourbillon watch made entirely of carbon. For more information, visit www.bianchet.com.
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