Bianchet Flying Tourbillon Sport GMT and Grande Date B1.618 Hybrid Gold

Swiss watchmaker Bianchet recently announced the Hybrid Gold edition of its Flying Tourbillon Grande Date and Flying Tourbillon Sport GMT models. These timepieces feature a combination of 18-carat gold, high-density carbon, and titanium powder, enhancing their visual appeal and durability. Bianchet’s reputation for premium-first timepieces continues with high-tech materials by integrating the luxury of gold with the strength and lightness of carbon fibre. Both models are equipped with the brand’s signature Tourbillon.

The new Hybrid Gold edition boasts a case with a gold bezel, crown, and case back, all meticulously brushed and polished. The rest of the case is constructed from Bianchet’s proprietary carbon composite, known as Titanium-Dust-High-Density-Carbon, made from approximately 500 compressed layers of carbon fibres infused with titanium powder between each layer. The gold crown is protected by a carbon guard for added durability and ergonomic access.

The Flying Tourbillon Grande Date, the first variant, features a tonneau-shaped design that won the International Temporis Award for Best Startup Watch. This model exemplifies the brand’s design ethos with clean lines and a sophisticated appearance based on the golden ratio (1.618). Inside the case lies an in-house skeletonized Flying Tourbillon movement, crafted and assembled by Bianchet in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. The big date complication reveals the calendar’s openwork mechanism and intricate hand-decorated components.

The titanium bridges, designed with the Fibonacci spiral in mind, are adorned with hand-beveled edges. The calibre operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 90-hour power reserve. Superluminova blocks on the dial enhance visibility.

The standout feature of the Flying Tourbillon Sport GMT is the dual-time GMT function, displaying two time zones simultaneously. The 24-hour GMT dial includes a rotating Earth dome, reflecting the watch’s appeal to globetrotters. An intuitive crown-function indicator simplifies winding and setting local or reference time. Like the Grande Date, the Sport GMT also has a 90-hour power reserve, ensuring reliability for adventurers. Despite its modern, sporty design, this timepiece remains rooted in traditional Swiss watchmaking, with meticulous hand-finishing and assembly. Decorations are applied with a paintbrush, and luminescent hour indicators are placed by hand.

Both Hybrid Gold models come with two straps (black and white) made from vulcanized natural rubber. They are suitable for water activities, with a water resistance of 10 ATM and shock resistance of 5000Gs. The new Hybrid Gold edition will be available for viewing in the Bianchet Showroom in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and at retailers worldwide starting in August 2024.