Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Featherweight Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon
A surprising combination of slimness, lightness and fine mechanics, with a sporty and robust attire.
Founded in 2021, Bianchet is a young independent brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, specialising in contemporary tonneau-shaped timepieces that merge advanced materials with architectural mechanics. The brand’s designs are rooted in the Golden Ratio (1.618), which influences the proportions of its cases, bridges, and even its rotors. Last year’s model B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon introduced a monobloc carbon case paired with a fully integrated carbon bracelet. This marked the first time an independent brand has achieved such a construction in a tonneau sports watch. We had our chance to discover it firsthand; here are our impressions.
Featherlight, slim and yet robust Case
The Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon features a 40mm-wide, 47.39mm-long, and 8.9mm-thick case crafted entirely from high-density carbon composite reinforced with vulcanised rubber inserts. The case is made from 500 layers of compressed carbon fibre, each arranged at 45-degree angles to optimise strength and shock resistance. The construction is very robust, surprising for such a lightweight object, with shock resistance rated to 5,000G and water resistance up to 50m.
Weighing only 32 grams without a strap, the UltraFino Carbon is exceptionally light, even by titanium standards. When fitted with the integrated carbon bracelet, the total weight is just 62 grams (or 52 grams on the rubber strap). The carbon’s distinct layered grain gives each piece a unique organic pattern. A coloured rubber gasket, available in sky blue, red, or white, frames the case and crown, adding an accent to the dark carbon architecture.
Openworked Dial and Tourbillon
The Bianchet UltraFino Carbon showcases an openworked dial, revealing the brand’s UT01 automatic flying tourbillon movement. The skeletonised construction follows a symmetrical layout, with the suspended barrel at 12 o’clock and the tourbillon carriage at 6 o’clock. The dial “structure” reveals softly brushed and sandblasted titanium components with black PVD treatment, and hand-polished chamfers. The hour and minute hands feature luminous tips in colours matching the case gasket. Applied hour markers enhance legibility against the very technical-looking backdrop.
The Movement
The UltraFino Carbon is powered by Bianchet’s proprietary Calibre UT01, an automatic, ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement. Measuring 3.85mm thick and weighing only 8 grams, it is one of the lightest automatic tourbillons currently in production. Constructed entirely from titanium, the movement features an already mentioned suspended mainspring barrel and a one-minute tourbillon with a 2.66mm cage. It operates at 21,600 vibrations/hour and provides a 60-hour power reserve.
The gold rotor, inspired by Fibonacci spirals, winds bidirectionally while maintaining peripheral balance to absorb shocks. Finishing is of a high standard, with black PVD-coated bridges of sandblasted and satin-brushed textures, and polished bevels that are noted dialside and back.
The Details
The watch is delivered with a high-density carbon bracelet closed by a titanium folding buckle, offering lightness and structural continuity, and a natural vulcanised rubber strap in a colour matching the case gasket, also with a titanium folding buckle. Both are equipped with a quick-release system. The integration between case and bracelet is seamless, and helps in maintaining the fluid tonneau profile that defines the UltraFino design.
The Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon comes with a five-year warranty, priced at CHF 65,500 (excluding taxes). Objectively, a lot of money, but also not that crazy for a tourbillon watch entirely made of carbon. For more information, please visit www.bianchet.com.
