ive years ago, at this exact moment, a dream came to life in the canton of Neuchâtel. On an autumn day in 2019, Thomas Baillod launched BA111OD on his own, without any investors or external funding, relying solely on LinkedIn to market his first watches. This bold move marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey in the world of watchmaking. Since then, BA111OD has continuously defied industry conventions with its disruptive approach. Today, the brand, which has secured a unique position in the Swiss watchmaking landscape, proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary.
This anniversary is marked by a unique trilogy, unveiled in three acts, that honors the brand’s origins. Each part of this celebration pays tribute to the founding values of the watchmaking house – authenticity, daring, and craftsmanship – while reaffirming the deep connections between BA111OD and its Neuchâtel roots, showcasing the rich watchmaking heritage of the region.
This trilogy started on October 11, 2024 with a first act dedicated to authenticity, embodied by a unique creation produced in a limited (and temporary) series. The story will continue with two other parts of exclusive watches that celebrate both the heritage and the daring spirit of a visionary entrepreneur.
The Trilogy
11.10.2024 – First Act: AUTHENTICITY
The first chapter of this trilogy is dedicated to the city of Neuchâtel, symbolized on the dial by an acrylic miniature painting, illustrating the iconic contours of the city.
11.11.2024 – Second Act: DARING
The second chapter celebrates the Neuchâtel mountains, immortalized by the majestic Creux du Van, also depicted in a miniature acrylic painting on the dial.
11.12.2024 – Third Act: CRAFTSMANSHIP
The final act pays tribute to the watchmaking hubs of Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighted on the dial through a miniature acrylic painting of La
BA111OD Chapter 4.12 “Neuchâtel” Tourbillon 5th Anniversary Edition
The first act, revealed on October 11, 2024, marking the 5th anniversary of the Neuchâtel-based brand, offers a daring reinterpretation of its Chapter 4 Tourbillon, as a tribute to the city where it all began, Neuchâtel. Each piece in this limited series is an exclusive work of art, adorned with a meticulous view of the city, created by the talented sketch artist Célestine Sahli, and then reproduced with extreme precision in miniature using acrylic painting by Atelier Blandenier.
Symbolizing the authenticity dear to the brand, this new version of Chapter 4 features a finely crafted dial, with an opening at 7 o’clock revealing a majestic tourbillon. The sapphire case back and the opening on the dial highlight a manually wound skeletonized anthracite mechanical movement, housed in a 44 mm grade 5 titanium case. As always, the crown is positioned at 4 o’clock, a signature of the brand. The whole piece is enhanced by a midnight blue nubuck leather strap with a crocodile pattern and a folding clasp, underscoring the timeless elegance of this exceptional watch.
Miniature acrylic painting, a true métier d’art, is at the heart of this exclusive edition. Handcrafted by the exceptional artisans of Atelier Blandenier, based in Geneva and Neuchâtel, this technique requires absolute precision and hours of meticulous work to capture complex scenes in miniature.
As Christophe Blandenier emphasizes: “This technique demands as much meticulousness, excellence, and patience as it does accuracy in the artisanal gesture. As a Neuchâtel native and a close friend of Thomas for over thirty years, I am particularly proud that the artisans of Atelier Blandenier lend their talents to the first ‘métiers d’art’ dials of the BA111OD house’s timepieces.”
Each dial features an iconic view of Neuchâtel, reproduced with unmatched finesse, making each piece absolutely unique. This rare and demanding craftsmanship, mastered by only a few specialized artists, reflects BA111OD’s commitment to excellence and watchmaking artistry. Each watch thus becomes much more than an exceptional timepiece: it is a miniature work of art that celebrates Neuchâtel’s heritage, embodying the creative spirit and precise craftsmanship of Swiss watchmaking heritage.
While this new model stands out for its classic design, its conception is decidedly modern: entirely developed and manufactured in Switzerland, with the expertise of the finest artisans, it features a 44mm grade 5 titanium case, with the crown still positioned at 4 o’clock. Its dial reveals the tourbillon through an opening at 7 o’clock. The skeletonized manually wound anthracite movement, which powers the watch with a 105-hour power reserve, is the work of the brilliant watchmaker Olivier Mory, and its sapphire case back reveals its exquisite finishes.
This exclusive series of the Chapter 4.12 “Neuchâtel” Tourbillon 5th Anniversary Edition is available for pre- order on the brand’s website, on the Community App, or at one of the official points of sale, for the price of CHF 9,400.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Case
- Grade 5 Titanium, 44mm
Glass
- Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, NFC technology
Dial
- Miniature acrylic painting
- Tourbillon opening at 7 o’clock
Movement
- BA.01 hand-wound mechanical movement (based on BCP Tourbillon), 21,600 vib/h (3hz), variable inertia balance, 19 jewels. GMT function at 1 o’clock, tourbillon at 7 o’clock.
Functions
- Hour-Minute-Second
Power reserve
- 105 hours (>4 days)
Strap
- Midnight blue nubuck crocodile pattern strap with folding clasp
Water resistance
- 50m
Magnetic resistance
- 2000 Gauss
Shock resistance
- 5000G
Warranty
- 3 years