The young Swiss watch firm Bianchet has announced a partnership with Italian big-wave surfer Francisco Porcella.
If you are thinking that a collaboration between an extreme sportsman and a company that makes tourbillons sounds incongruous, then that is exactly the point.
Tourbillons are known for being delicate, and this is part of Bianchet’s mission to show that they do not need to be anything of the sort.
First there was Richard Mille, showing that a tourbillon could survive the on-court antics of power player Rafael Nadal.
And now we have Bianchet, showing that there is no reason that a tourbillon cannot take to the high seas.
Bianchet was founded in 2017, the creation of husband and wife team Rodolfo and Emmanuelle Festa Bianchet.
Their first tourbillon watch was launched in 2021, and this new partnership has involved a punishing voyage of discovery.
Bianchet has been testing its flying tourbillon watches in the huge waves off the coast of Hawaii, along with surfing and BASE-jumping adventurer Porcella.
Bianchet tourbillon watches can withstand forces up to 5000G and were put under pressure in waves of up to 20 metres.
US-born, Italian raised Porcella won the Men’s Ride of the Year in 2022, and the sharply dressed adventurer also includes modelling on his impressive CV.
“We are thrilled to welcome Francisco Porcella to the Bianchet family as our brand ambassador,” said Rodolfo and Emmanuelle Festa Bianchet in a statement. “His fearless approach to challenging the limits of nature and his innate sense of style perfectly embodies the spirit of our brand. Through this collaboration, we showcase the resilience and precision of our tourbillon watches in the most demanding conditions.”
Porcella added: “Amidst the waves, gravity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Collaborating with Bianchet represents a shared commitment to surpassing boundaries and transcending limitations. We aim to elevate our journeys and inspire others to surpass expectations.”