Switzerland’s ‘best kept secret’ pushes boundaries

Having a name that is difficult to pronounce may be considered an obstacle, but this watch firm intends it as a conversation starter.

BA111OD proudly calls itself the “best-kept secret” in the Swiss watchmaking valleys.

The name of the young Neuchâtel watch company is a numerically playful rendering of the surname of founder Thomas Baillod.

How you pronounce “BA111OD” is left to your discretion, the company says, whereas other words come with a handy pronunciation guide.

This latest watch is a collaboration with the Geneva watch and jewellery design firm Label Noir.

The new watch is called CHPTR_Δ. This is pronounced – as text-gen aficionados of the Greek alphabet may have guessed – as Chapter Delta.

It is Label Noir’s take on the BA111OD watch that displays time with a unique rotating triangle.

“Together, we’ve explored new frontiers for our brand. [Label Noir watchmaker] Emmanuel Curti’s innovative approach, which boldly reinvents iconic pieces, deeply resonates with our vision of watchmaking. This partnership has allowed us to combine our ideas and create a unique watch,” says Thomas Baillod.

He added: “Since day one, BA111OD has been about a different way of looking at watchmaking. Today, we offer a new reading of time as well”.

It has a 44mm PVD-coated stainless-steel case, containing a Soprod M100-based automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve.

It is on a black textile strap, and the watch is water-resistant to 50m.

It is a limited edition of 111 numbered pieces and comes in three colours: grey with blue accents; black with red accents, and deep blue with distinctive yellow dot. BA111OD CHPTR_Δ x Label Noir CHF 2950

  • GBP 2700
  • USD 3250

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