BA111OD 4 Onyx Flying Tourbillon

BA111OD Chapter 4 Onyx Flying Tourbillon

Black onyx. Flying tourbillon. And virtually nothing else.

The Chapter 4 Onyx Flying Tourbillon presents a complication traditionally associated with very ostentatious haute horlogerie in an entirely different way. BA111OD has removed almost everything non-essential from the dial, letting two main elements stand out – natural black onyx and a flying tourbillon at 7 o'clock.

No indices, no minute track, no unnecessary decorations. Even the logo is executed in a subtle black-on-black style. The result is a watch that feels exceptionally clean, but definitely not plain.

Natural Onyx Dial

The dial is made of genuine black onyx, a natural variety of chalcedony. It is polished to a high sheen, creating a surface that is nearly mirror-smooth and deeply black.

The very simplicity of the stone allows the mechanics of the tourbillon to shine. There are no hour indices on the dial, and the only prominent feature besides the tourbillon are the hands with white Super-LumiNova.

Flying Tourbillon

The main protagonist is located at the seven o'clock position – the flying tourbillon.

Unlike a classic tourbillon, its cage is not secured by a bridge from above. The mechanism is supported only from below, so when viewed from the front, it appears as if it is truly floating above the black onyx.

Inside beats the hand-wound Swiss caliber BA.02, based on the BCP Tourbillon and developed in collaboration with watchmaker Olivier Mory. It operates at a frequency of 3 Hz, features 19 jewels, and most importantly, a very impressive 120-hour power reserve – a full five days.

904L Steel and a New Concave Case

The minimalist concept continues with the case. BA111OD uses polished 904L stainless steel and a new concave profile, which gives the watch a more elegant and sculptural character.

The case has a diameter of 41 mm and a height of only 9.75 mm, which is an interesting proportion given the presence of a flying tourbillon. The crown is located at four o'clock and bears the BA111OD emblem.

The dial is protected by a prominently shaped sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating. Water resistance is 5 ATM.

Also noteworthy is the declared magnetic resistance of 2,000 Gauss and shock resistance of 5,000 G – technical parameters that are certainly not a given for an elegant tourbillon watch.

Why choose the Chapter 4 Onyx Flying Tourbillon?

Because BA111OD has managed to combine one of the most famous complications of traditional watchmaking with a design that does not try to overpower it.

The smooth surface of natural onyx acts almost like a black stage, and the only real attraction is the constant movement of the flying tourbillon. No indices, date, or other complications to distract you.

On top of that, you get a hand-wound Swiss movement with a five-day power reserve, a 904L steel case, and unusually clean proportions.

The Chapter 4 Onyx Flying Tourbillon is proof that a tourbillon doesn't have to shout to be the first thing you notice on a watch.

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About the brand

BA111OD is an independent Swiss watch brand founded by Thomas Baillod in 2019. Its name is derived from the Baillod surname, which has roots in the Neuchâtel watchmaking tradition dating back to 1775. The brand was founded with the ambition of offering genuine Swiss mechanical watches in a different way – with a distinct original design, a more direct relationship with customers, and an emphasis on ensuring that high-quality watchmaking is not reserved only for traditional luxury brands.