BA111OD has unveiled the Chapter 4 GMT Tourbillon Limited Edition 2025. BA111OD is based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
The brand is “the continuation of a 250-year watchmaking legacy rooted in Neuchâtel. The Baillod family’s connection to horology dates back to 1775, when David François Baillod de St-Aubin was documented as a maître monteur de boîte (master case assembler). Over the centuries, Baillod family members left their mark on the watchmaking world, from crafting fine timepieces to teaching the next generation of artisans.”
Present day BA111OD was founded by Thomas Baillod in his garage. What began as an “experimental platform to revolutionise watch distribution” morphed into a watch brand – BA111OD.
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: Notice the snailed finish of both the outer subdial of the GMT function and the outer dial. The engraved world map has a 3D vibe to it. Notice the variable inertia balance wheel in the tourbillon cage.
Central hours and minutes. Small seconds on tourbillon cage at 7 o’clock.
GMT function at 1 o’clock. The 12-hour GMT counter “supports offset zones such as 30-minute (India IST, UTC+5:30; Newfoundland NST, UTC-3:30) and 15-minute (Nepal NPT, UTC+5:45; Chatham Islands CHAST, UTC+12:45).”
Crown at 4 o’clock for winding, time-setting, and GMT function.
Dial
Dial features a grey sunburst finish. Hour and minute hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova. Hour-markers applied on the dial. Hour and minute scale on outer dial.
Movement
Powered by BA.01, a manually wound tourbillon movement that drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, and GMT Function. Jewels: 19. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 100 hours (a little over 4 days). Movement features a variable inertia or free-sprung balance wheel.
The movement is by Olivier Mory of BCP Tourbillons in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The movement of the Time Eater Tourbillon Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin is also made by them.
Case
Image: The crown at 4 o’clock is a signature design feature of the brand. It is engraved with the brand’s emblem.
Case is made from Grade 5 titanium. It features a 5N PVD treatment. Diameter: 44 mm. Thickness: 12.9 mm (including sapphire crystal). Lug-to-distance: 46 mm. Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Magnetic resistance: 2000 Gauss. Shock resistance: 5000G. Water resistant up to 5 ATM or approximately 50 metres.
Watch comes with a soft grey colour Nubuck leather strap fitted to a folding clasp. The strap is interchangeable due to its easy-clip system.
Our Thoughts
I have been intrigued by BA111OD since a while, especially their ability to craft tourbillons at affordable prices. It is always interesting when watch brands democratise a complication or grand complication – especially in the present era of exorbitant watch prices. The Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture is another example of an affordable tourbillon.
What excites me most about the Chapter 4 GMT Tourbillon is its GMT function that can be offset for countries that fall in half time zones (India) and quarter time zones (Nepal). Most world time and dual time watches support the 24 time zones, including the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Geographic.
Image: Versatile, a grand complication, and a GMT function – all at an affordable price. Plus it looks great on the wrist.
As an Indian, I often wonder why the large watch brands do not incorporate half and quarter time zones in their world time and dual time watches. Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time of 2011 (and later the Overseas World Time) addressed this with its 37 time zones. These were discontinued a few years ago. Glasshütte Original’s Senator Cosmopolite – a current catalogue model – has 35 time zones, including those offset by half and quarter hours. There are few other examples as well. I wish more watch brands would follow suit as the watch industry and watch collecting community are truly global.
For BA111OD to incorporate this is amazing. The Chapter 4 GMT Tourbillon Limited Edition 2025 has the potential to be a game changer in the industry. We look forward to seeing this in the flesh and doing a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: Chapter 4 GMT Tourbillon Limited Edition 2025
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 8,200
Limited edition of 30 numbered pieces.
Warranty: 3 years.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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