After winning the hearts of many with its Chapter 4.1 The Veblen Dilemma Tourbillon, BA111OD is back to conquering the hearts of women with a new version.
The brand says the new iteration looks to combine the warmth of pink gold, the purity of diamonds and the softness of ceramics with the watchmaking magic of the most desired of complications.
BA111OD explained: “Imagined and designed by a woman for women, there is no doubt that the Chapter 4.2 Lily Tourbillon will find its audience.”
Thomas Baillod’s design and development department is headed by a woman, Liliane Murenzi.
Active for more than 15 years in watch and jewelry design, she joined the BA111OD team in 2021 and quickly grasped Thomas Baillod’s expectations.
She designed the brand’s first watchmaking complication, the Chapter 4.1 The Veblen Dilemma Tourbillon which has already sold nearly 400 pieces.
Designed by a woman, for women
For this version, Thomas Baillod gave his Senior Designer carte blanche: “Create THE watch you would like to wear, make yourself happy!”
Liliane Murenzi was very touched by the trust shown in her, especially with regard to the most prestigious watchmaking complication, the tourbillon, and she imagined the piece that would accompany her in her daily life.
Murenzi explained: “Soft and strong, today’s woman is multi-active. She juggles between professional life, family life and friends, personal projects… For me, it is in this balance that I blossom. And this is how I imagine this watch, with several facets.
“Elegant, impertinent, with an assertive character but with a softness that is still there, thanks to feminine curves, very few angles and polished bridges. Her love of rose gold led the young designer to opt for the warmth and elegance of a 4N rose gold pvd coated case, combined with the links of a ceramic bracelet.”
The open-worked dial features a tourbillon cage between 6 and 8 o’clock. The hour markers are transformed by nine diamonds that complete the model, the 9 symbolizing inner strength, destiny, responsibility, intuition, strength of character, high ideals and freedom.
Like its male counterpart, the Chapter 4.2 Lily Tourbillon is equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) connected sapphire crystal.
The Chapter 4.1 The Veblen Dilemma Tourbillon was the first model in the history of watchmaking to be equipped with this technology, placing BA111OD in the select circle of players who bring art and technology together.
The integration of NFC technology in the sapphire crystal means that it does not interfere with the mechanical movement and does not alter its aesthetics.
The objective is to strengthen the relationship and the customer experience, to improve the traceability of watches and to allow a control of exchanges on the secondary market.
The options are endless and allow a dialogue between the brand and the purchaser of the timepiece. The only condition is that the latter wants it, as his chip only works if he asks for it.
“It’s a bit like the genie in the bottle,” explains Thomas Baillod.
“In addition, customers can have their own “boutique” on their wrists, if they wish, allowing them to become prescribers and give “rights” to acquire the BA111OD watches available to others, by scanning their watch with a smartphone (less than 1cm away).
“This option is rewarded by the brand, which gives him access to privileges, based on the principle of “afluendors” (a contraction of “ambassadors, influencers and sellers).”
A tourbillon developed and produced in La Chaux-de-Fonds
With a very feminine architecture, horns that blend into the case, very few angles and polished bridges, this timepiece distances itself from its much more rough masculine counterpart.
This new model combines softness and power in its design: 40mm diameter case, in 4N pink gold pvd. On the dial, 9 natural diamonds set in a circle represent the hours.
Inside, a hand-wound movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Developed and produced in La Chaux-de-Fonds by the renowned watchmaker Olivier Mory, this tourbillon caliber, whose carriage rotates in 60 seconds, has an impressive power reserve of 105 hours, i.e. more than 4 days.
“My goal is to launch spectacular watches at affordable prices. I want to show that it is possible to democratize fine watchmaking without compromising on quality,” says Thomas Baillod.
Available now for subscription, the Chapter 4.2 Lily Tourbillon will be produced in a first series of 111 numbered pieces, the first 30 of which will be priced at CHF 4,800 excluding VAT.
From then on, the price will be displayed at CHF 5300.00 ex VAT. Delivered shortly before Valentine’s Day 2023, these timepieces will be preceded by an original card to slip under the Christmas tree.
