The Bianchet Ultrafino Rotondo Flying Tourbillon

Independent watchmaking brand Bianchet, founded by Rodolfo and Emmanuelle Festa Bianchet in the Neuchâtel Canton, has built an identity around skeleton tourbillon watches and a design language that merges technicality with modern aesthetics. Until now, the brand has expressed its vision exclusively through tonneau-shaped cases. Just ahead of Watches and Wonders 2026, where the brand will exhibit its watches for the first time, Bianchet embraces a round case while preserving the bold character that defines its creations.

The Bianchet Ultrafino Rotondo is, at its core, a natural evolution. While it retains the modern and architectural tourbillon aesthetics that have become synonymous with the brand, it reinterprets them within a perfectly circular form. Measuring 39.5 mm in diameter, the Rotondo uses more versatile proportions, designed with a clear emphasis on wearability, lightness, and everyday comfort.

The integrated design of the new model seamlessly blends case and bracelet, creating a cohesive and ergonomic whole. The visual identity retains some Bianchet DNA: a geometric foundation, where sharp lines and structured angles interact with fluid curves inspired by the golden ratio. The round bezel provides a striking contrast to the more angular, dynamic architecture of the case and bracelet, which reinforces the tension of the design. A signature element of the brand, the rubber gasket positioned beneath the bezel, remains present. 

The Rotondo is engineered with performance and wearing comfort in mind. Its water 100 meters resistance and shock resistance tested to 5000G underscores its robust, sport-oriented character. Despite its technical character, the watch achieves a slimness of just 8.9 mm (hence its name ultrafino) that will allow it to slide under your cuff. Lightness and wearability also play a central role. Two high-tech material versions are available: a titanium model weighing 75 grams and an ultra-light carbon version at only 48 grams, both including the bracelet. 

At the heart of the Rotondo lies a newly developed proprietary movement, derived from Bianchet’s previous calibre but reengineered for a round case. The automatic UR01 calibre maintains the brand’s architectural and geometric aesthetic through an openworked construction. It utilises a vertical axis of symmetry, where the mainspring barrel at 12 o’clock – held in place by a curved bridge – acts as a visual anchor to the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. To the left, the design employs a trompe-l’œil effect: while the gear train appears to be supported by a series of individual bridges, they are actually segments of a single skeletonised train bridge. The automatic UR01 calibre features a one-minute flying tourbillon operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. It offers a power reserve of 60 hours and is equipped with a full rotor on the caseback, enabling automatic winding of the mainspring. The movement is finished to a standard reflecting Bianchet’s commitment to fine watchmaking.

The Bianchet Ultrafino Rotondo Flying Tourbillon comes on an integrated bracelet matching the material of the case. A spare rubber strap is supplied. A release system on the back allows you to swap between the bracelet and strap in seconds (Editor’s Note: the interchangeability system on our pictures is not the one that will be used for production, which will be more elaborate). The bracelet combines H-links with faceted middle links and tapers down to a narrower width at the folding buckle. The price is set at CHF 62,500 (excl. taxes) for the titanium version and CHF 67,500 (excl. taxes) for the carbon version.

For more details, please visit www.bianchet.com.