In the world of contemporary watchmaking, inspiration can be drawn from the most unexpected places, bridging the gap between mechanical engineering and the organic world.
Bianchet has introduced its "Las Coloradas" collection, a series of three UltraFino tourbillon timepieces that find their soul in the pastel landscapes of Mexico. Unveiled at the SIAR, the prestigious international Salon for Haute Horlogerie in Mexico City, this collection is a direct homage to the surreal pink lakes of Las Coloradas in the Yucatán peninsula. It is a place where nature paints with a subtle hand, blending rose-colored waters with the soft blues of the sky and the aquamarine hues of the horizon, creating a scene of profound tranquility.
The core mission of the Las Coloradas collection is to translate this unique natural palette into the tangible form of a high-performance timepiece. Bianchet achieves this by infusing its signature tonneau-shaped architecture with carefully chosen pastel tones. These are not overwhelming bursts of color, but rather deliberate and refined applications on straps, dials, and subtle accent points. The result is a trio of watches that feel modern and joyful, yet remain firmly anchored in the brand's foundational principles of geometry, precise proportions, and architectural design. This collection serves as a wearable tribute to the serene and enduring beauty of Mexico.
Courtesy of Bianchet
The design philosophy driving the Las Coloradas collection is a fascinating study in contrasts, representing a continuous dialogue between the soft, flowing beauty of nature and the rigid, calculated precision of geometry. This is a central tenet of the Bianchet identity. The pastel shades, drawn from a specific and breathtaking landscape, are thoughtfully applied to a design framework that is anything but random. The brand's distinctive geometric case and its adherence to the principles of the Golden Ratio ensure that every line, curve, and proportion contributes to a sense of inherent harmony and visual balance, creating a powerful synergy between the organic and the man-made.
This collection's visual identity extends beyond the natural world, drawing deep inspiration from Mexico's rich modernist architectural heritage. The work of Luis Barragán, renowned for his masterful use of bold color planes and geometric purity, serves as a spiritual touchstone for the Las Coloradas watches. This influence is palpable in the way color is used not merely as decoration, but as an integral component of the design's structure. Barragán's ability to evoke emotion through form and color resonates strongly with Bianchet's own pursuit of clean lines and harmonious compositions, making the collection a tribute to both natural wonder and architectural genius.
More than a simple exploration of color, the Las Coloradas collection is conceived as an invitation to a different state of mind, a form of sensory escape. It is a multi-layered homage, celebrating the ethereal landscapes of the Yucatán, the architectural spirit of a modernist master, and the very idea of capturing a fleeting moment of beauty. By successfully uniting the poetry of a natural phenomenon with the strict discipline of architectural geometry, Bianchet reinforces its unique position in the watchmaking landscape, creating contemporary tourbillons that artfully balance structural integrity, material resilience, and a deep emotional resonance.
The collection is presented as a trio of distinct horological horizons, each defined by its unique colorway. These colors—pink, sky blue, and aquamarine—were chosen for their ability to evoke specific sensory and emotional responses. Pink is associated with warmth and connection, sky blue with mental calmness and serenity, and aquamarine with clarity and a sense of renewal. Together, they form a chromatic harmony that is both soothing and invigorating, tapping into a fundamental human appreciation for balance. By capturing these specific frequencies on the wrist, Bianchet effectively transforms a transient landscape into a permanent, wearable expression of proportion and beauty.
Courtesy of Bianchet
A key feature enhancing the collection's appeal is its versatility. Each of the three watches is delivered with two distinct wearing options: a vibrant, color-matched natural rubber strap and a more understated integrated bracelet. The bracelet is crafted from the same material as the case, either grade 5 titanium or HDSC carbon, offering a cohesive and monolithic look. This duality empowers the owner to dramatically alter the watch's character. The rubber strap provides a colorful, expressive, and sporty aesthetic, while the integrated bracelet lends a more discreet, architectural, and formal presence where the pastel tones are reduced to subtle accents.
The first member of the trio, the UltraFino Skeleton Titanium – Pink Edition, is a direct interpretation of the intense chromatic signature of the Yucatán's rose-tinted waters. Housed in a 40mm by 47.5mm case crafted from lightweight grade 5 titanium, the watch features a striking pink rubber joint that traces the case's mid-section, perfectly complementing the integrated pink rubber strap. This vibrant frame surrounds the openworked architecture of the calibre UT01. The absence of a traditional dial allows for an unobstructed view into the heart of the machine, where the flying tourbillon at the 6 o'clock position appears to float weightlessly, its delicate ballet of precision mechanics enhanced by a vivid pink flourish on the tourbillon cage itself.
The visual experience of the Pink Edition is one of layers and depth. The skeletonized titanium bridges of the movement are finished with meticulous care, their geometric forms creating a complex interplay of light and shadow. One can trace the path of energy from the mainspring barrel through the gear train to the escapement, all while the 18K gold rotor oscillates gently with the wearer's motion. The brushed finish of the tonneau-shaped titanium case provides a subtle texture that contrasts beautifully with the polished bevels along its edges, while the pink accents inject a bold and contemporary energy into the otherwise technical design. It is a piece that feels both mechanically complex and serene.
The second model, the UltraFino Dial Titanium – Sky Blue Edition, offers a more classic and composed expression of the collection's theme. It shares the same grade 5 titanium case dimensions but opts for a full dial, rendered in a tranquil shade of sky blue reminiscent of the clear horizons over Las Coloradas. The dial is not a simple flat surface; it is intricately decorated with the "Golden Diamond" pattern, a geometric motif derived from the golden rhombus, which creates a textured, light-catching surface that adds considerable visual depth. The serene blue of the dial is echoed in the matching rubber strap and the subtle case joint accents, creating a unified and pure chromatic statement.
Courtesy of Bianchet
This edition presents a vision of architectural poetry, where the mesmerizing rotation of the tourbillon at 6 o'clock provides a point of kinetic focus against the calm expanse of the patterned dial. The hands are clean and legible, filled with luminous material to ensure readability in all conditions. The inclusion of the integrated titanium bracelet with this model allows it to transition into a more formal piece, where the sky blue becomes a sophisticated highlight against a sea of expertly brushed and polished metal. It is a timepiece that translates the feeling of a vast, open sky into horological form, balancing a sense of calm with mechanical intrigue.
Finally, the UltraFino Skeleton Carbon – Aquamarine Edition represents the most modern and technical interpretation within the collection. Its case is constructed from HDSC, or High-Density Stratified Carbon, a material known for its extreme lightness and remarkable durability. The forged carbon composite creates a unique pattern of swirling, layered blacks and grays on every case, ensuring that no two watches are exactly alike. This dark, technical canvas is enlivened by luminous aquamarine accents on the strap, the case joint, and, most notably, the hands themselves. These touches of color evoke the tranquil shimmer of Mexico's lagoons.
The movement within the Aquamarine Edition is the same calibre UT01, but here it has been treated with a black PVD coating. This dark finish gives the skeletonized architecture a stealthy and more aggressive character compared to the bright titanium of the Pink Edition. The black bridges and plates make the rubies and polished steel components of the gear train stand out in sharp relief. The aquamarine hands provide excellent contrast against the dark, openworked backdrop, making for a surprisingly legible display. This model, particularly on its integrated HDSC carbon bracelet, is a dynamic and resilient timepiece that merges cutting-edge material science with a color palette inspired by water, light, and reflection.
At the heart of all three Las Coloradas timepieces beats the Calibre UT01, Bianchet’s proprietary ultra-thin automatic flying tourbillon movement. This caliber is a testament to the brand's commitment to both aesthetic refinement and mechanical performance. Its skeletonized architecture is not arbitrary; the design of the bridges and plates is strictly governed by the principles of the Golden Ratio, resulting in a movement that is visually balanced, transparent, and imbued with a sense of structural harmony. The use of titanium for the movement components further contributes to its lightness and overall robustness.
Courtesy of Bianchet
Despite its impressively svelte profile of just 8.9mm for the complete watch, the UT01 is engineered for high performance and durability. It incorporates sophisticated features such as a suspended barrel and an ultra-flat escapement architecture, all reinforced with an enhanced shock protection system. This is a crucial element of Bianchet's philosophy: to create tourbillons that are not destined to be safe queens. These are machines built to be worn and experienced in the course of daily life, offering a rare combination of a delicate complication with the resilience of a modern sports watch.
Bianchet's dedication to creating practical, wearable high complications is further evidenced by the rigorous standards the Las Coloradas collection is built to meet. Each watch is designed to withstand shocks of up to 5,000 Gs, a significant feat for a tourbillon movement. Furthermore, they all offer a water resistance of 50 meters (5 ATM), making them secure against daily encounters with water. This focus on durability, combined with the lightweight materials and ergonomic case design, ensures exceptional comfort on the wrist. This alliance of slender aesthetics and robust wearability is central to the brand's mission.
Bianchet operates at the intersection of artistic expression and high-octane performance. The brand is dedicated to crafting tourbillon timepieces that blend a pure, architectural style with the rigorous engineering and finishing standards of contemporary Haute Horlogerie. The Golden Ratio is more than a marketing term for the company; it is a foundational principle that guides the pursuit of beauty, innovation, and technical mastery in every watch they produce. This commitment is evident in the exceptional level of finishing applied to each component.
The hand-finishing on the UT01 movement, for example, requires over 15 hours of meticulous hand-beveling alone. This process, known as anglage, involves creating a polished, 45-degree chamfer along the edges of the movement's bridges and plates, a task that can only be perfectly executed by a skilled artisan. This dedication to uncompromising craftsmanship, combined with the use of advanced materials like grade 5 titanium and stratified carbon, allows Bianchet to create watches that are both masterpieces of mechanical performance and artistic statements of ideal proportion.
Courtesy of Bianchet
The case construction itself is a complex affair, measuring 40mm in width, 47.5mm from lug to lug, and a slim 8.9mm in thickness. These dimensions, guided by the Golden Ratio, are intended to provide a comfortable and balanced fit on a wide range of wrists. The use of grade 5 titanium offers a significant advantage in weight reduction compared to steel, while providing superior strength and corrosion resistance. The HDSC carbon case of the Aquamarine edition takes lightness to an even greater extreme, offering a barely-there feel on the wrist without sacrificing structural integrity.
The Bianchet Las Coloradas collection is offered with a five-year guarantee, reflecting the brand's confidence in its engineering and craftsmanship. The pricing varies by model, reflecting the different case materials and dial configurations. The UltraFino Dial Titanium in Sky Blue is priced at CHF 60,500. The UltraFino Skeleton Titanium in Pink is priced at CHF 55,500. The UltraFino Skeleton Carbon in Aquamarine, with its advanced carbon case and bracelet, is priced at CHF 65,500, all exclusive of taxes. This collection represents a compelling new chapter for Bianchet, successfully blending vibrant, nature-inspired aesthetics with serious, high-performance watchmaking.
Case: Grade 5 titanium or HDSC (High-Density Stratified Carbon); Dimensions 40mm x 47.5mm x 8.9mm; Water resistance 5 ATM (50 m).
Movement: Automatic Calibre UT01 flying tourbillon in titanium; 18K gold rotor; Shock resistance of 5000G; Over 15 hours of hand beveling.
Dial: Skeletonized (Pink and Aquamarine editions) or "Golden Diamond" pattern (Sky Blue edition).
Strap: Includes two options: A natural rubber strap with titanium folding clasp and an integrated bracelet in either grade 5 titanium or HDSC carbon.
Price: Pink Titanium CHF 60,500; Sky Blue Titanium CHF 55,500; Aquamarine Carbon CHF 65,500 (all prices exclude taxes).
Notes: The collection is inspired by the pink lakes of Las Coloradas in Yucatán, Mexico. The design philosophy is rooted in the Golden Ratio and the architectural work of Luis Barragán.