From the very beginning, BA111OD has been about pushing boundaries, redefining watchmaking, and embracing the spirit of daring innovation. With the launch of the CHPTR_Δ (Chapter Delta) 40mm, we take yet another bold step forward, offering a timepiece that embodies both refined aesthetics and technical ingenuity.
A New Dimension of Design
The CHPTR_Δ 40mm builds upon the avant-garde essence of its predecessor, now in a more compact, wearable size. This evolution doesn’t just bring a new dimension to the collection—it refines and enhances every element that made CHPTR_Δ a standout piece in modern independent watchmaking.
The dial remains a defining feature, creating a visual interplay between tradition and futurism. The redesigned case offers a harmonious balance between comfort and boldness, making it the perfect fit for those who appreciate unconventional elegance.
Engineering Meets Emotion
At the heart of the CHPTR_Δ 40mm is a meticulously crafted movement that continues BA111OD’s mission of blending horological expertise with an emotional connection to time. Precision engineering meets avant-garde aesthetics, resulting in a timepiece that doesn’t just tell time but tells a story.
The 40mm case size ensures versatility, making it ideal for both everyday wear and special occasions. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate mechanical details or the striking visual identity, this watch is a testament to the art of daring craftsmanship.
The First BA111OD Manufacture Watch Complication
CHPTR_Δ redefines how we perceive time. With its groundbreaking hypocycloidal motion, crafted in collaboration with renowned watchmaker Olivier Mory, this world premiere offers an asymmetrical and mesmerizing triangular time display—an innovation that captivates and inspires.
A Hymn to Time That Counts
The brand’s founder, Thomas Baillod, is proud to present BA111OD’s first manufacture complication. While the minute hand travels around the dial in the usual way, the hour is indicated by a small dot following a hypocycloidal path within a triangle, creating a non-linear experience of time. "I particularly appreciate this aspect. Besides being mesmerizing, it's the symbolic aspect of life that fascinates me. Like those precious moments that last or slip away... the hour dot slows down and then speeds up again in a movement that appears irregular yet is perfectly calibrated and precise."
A Hypocycloidal Reading of Time
This project, initially imagined by the designer Diego Böttger-Zevallos, turned out to be complex to realize. Thomas Baillod took on the challenge. To ensure its technical development and production, he once again called upon the brilliant watchmaker Olivier Mory, who is already responsible for the BA111OD Chapter 4 Tourbillon. "There is hardly anything but the transcendent beauty of mathematics to obtain a triangle using only things that rotate in circles! And it is a discreet tribute to the several centuries-old use of the cycloid in watchmaking. Galileo, Newton, Huygens, Euler, Cantor, or Roberval, to name but a handful, have all worked on the amazing properties of these curves," says Olivier Mory.
Rather than simply rotating a hand around a central axis, the movement was designed to "roll" a satellite hour wheel around a fixed central hour wheel. When a wheel is rotated around another wheel, the trajectory described by any point on this satellite wheel is a cycloid. There are several types of cycloids, some of which have particular trajectories, depending on the size ratio between the fixed wheel and the satellite wheel, as well as whether the satellite wheel rotates inside or outside the fixed wheel.
In this new chapter for BA111OD, the chosen cycloid is a deltoid (with a ratio of 1/3), and as a result, the trajectory described by the tip of the hour hand is... a triangle.
A Tribute to Neuchâtel’s Watchmaking Spirit
Few watchmaking houses have taken the step of developing their own in-house movement module; those that have are well-established and have already built a solid reputation. BA111OD stands out in this regard. The young Neuchâtel-based brand is embarking on this adventure, despite having been founded just under five years ago, on October 11, 2019. However, according to its founder, this is a natural progression: "From day one, BA111OD has been about a different way of looking at watchmaking. Here, we also offer a new way of reading time."
Accustomed to highlighting the artisans with whom he develops his models, Thomas Baillod is no exception in this case. He pays tribute to Diego Böttger-Zevallos, the initial designer of this movement, with an engraving of Module 09310 on the dial, which, when read backwards, offers a nice nod to this Neuchâtelois, as his first name can be discerned.
Join the Next Chapter
The CHPTR_Δ 40mm isn’t just an evolution—it’s an invitation to be part of a movement. A movement that values creativity over conformity, and craftsmanship over compromise. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or someone stepping into the world of independent watchmaking, this is your opportunity to embrace the art of time with audacity.
The launch of the CHPTR_Δ 40mm marks a significant milestone for BA111OD, and we invite you to be a part of this journey. Stay tuned for availability and pre-order details as we continue to push the boundaries of horology.
Dare to wear time differently. Dare to wear CHPTR_Δ.
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