Bianchet is a relatively new Swiss brand —only five years old after presenting its first prototype in 2019 at Baselworld— renowned for its prestigious tourbillon timepieces that won’t break the bank. The new B 1.618 Grande Date Sapphire Edition is the greatest and latest from them and is a timepiece that redefines transparency and elegance in haute horlogerie. Unveiled last month at Geneva Watch Days, this is now one of our favorite sapphire case watches out there.
Sapphire crystal watch cases are a hallmark of luxury and durability in the world of horology. Made from synthetic sapphire, these crystals are renowned for their exceptional hardness and scratch resistance, ranking just below the diamond on the Mohs scale. This makes them an ideal choice, as they can withstand the rigors of daily wear while maintaining clarity and brilliance, unlike metal cases. Sapphire crystal-cased watches are always better when seen in person and there’s no better way to learn about them than to read a review accompanied by live pictures instead of press images or renderings. While perusing a watch in person is the ideal scenario, when that is not possible, our powerful images will tell the story and depict the watch as close to what it looks like in real life.
Sapphire crystal is created through a process called the Verneuil method or the Czochralski process, where aluminum oxide is passed through a flame, melted down, and then cooled to form a hard crystal that is pulled individually. This synthetic production method allows for greater control over the material’s properties, ensuring consistent quality.