Ba111od returns once again with a new, award-winning CHPTR_Δ AGIL (pronounced Chapter Delta Agil) in a limited edition of 111 numbered pieces.
Press release information with Comment in italics.
New: Ba111od CHPTR_Δ AGIL
This exclusive series of 111 numbered pieces of the CHPTR_Δ AGIL will be available on Thursday, February 15th at 11:10 a.m. CET on the brand’s website: www.ba111od.com, in the community app or at one of the official points of sale , price at CHF 2800. What should be highlighted is the enthusiasm for this extraordinary watch: the first 50 examples that came onto the market in 2023 were sold out in less than four hours.
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The CHPTR_Δ AGIL remains a fascinating watch, just as it was when the first CHPTR_Δ was released in 2023. Not just the name CHPTR_Δ strange and unique (the Ba111od literature does not describe what is meant by AGIL, although we suspect that it is derived from the French word “agile” with the same meaning in English), but also the way in which it tells time , is strange and unique. We saw the prototype last year, and the time display is not just a fascinating spectacle, but a complication in its own right. Watch the video to understand the complication.
The hour ring is actually not a ring, but has a triangular shape with concavely curved sides. The hour hand is represented by a white sphere, the curved sides of which are covered with SuperLumiNova to indicate the hour. The triangular structure is hollowed out and the remaining surface is made of matt steel with laser engraving. The structure is made of stainless steel construction with polished steel and 5N PVD. The minute display is a little more conventional: the minute hand, which pivots in the middle, shows the minutes on a track below the hour triangle. The main difference, other than the color scheme, between the new AGIL and the regular Kairos collection, MDB. And since the B-ROK has a plate over the last third of the hour, the novelty follows the Kairos and MDB and shows the entire minute ring under a glass plate.
The movement is a modular complication with the hypocyclodia display developed by Olivier Mory of BCP Tourbillons (who also makes the movements for the Ba111od Chapter 4 Tourbillon) over a Soprod M100 base movement. Ba111od claims that the module will be manufactured in-house at its new facilities, although the development and design is by Olivier. The module is therefore exclusive to Ba111od.
But what’s even more attractive is the pricing. At an amount of CHF 2.8 thousand, this is, in our opinion, a very reasonable ransom. It’s just a touch above that regular CHPTR_Δ which is not limited and is currently available at a price of CHF 2,600 (available on pre-order for CHF 2,45,000 for the first 50 pieces).
Release details
The young watch brand BA111OD is pleased to announce the launch of the new model of its first manufacture complication, CHPTR_Δ AGIL (pronounced Chapter Delta Agil), in an exclusive version, released in 111 numbered pieces, bringing an elegant play of light between the deep black of the case and the softness of the golden triangle. The result of a collaboration with the renowned watchmaker Olivier Mory from La Chaux-de-Fonds, this revolutionary creation offers a new interpretation of time by combining a circular minute display with a hypocycloid hour display, symbolized by a triangle in the foreground of the dial. Launched globally last year, this asymmetrical reading of time transforms the reading of time into a choreographic experience, capturing an alternative temporality that embodies the carousel of life.
“A hymn to the time that counts”
The brand’s founder, Thomas Baillod, is proud to introduce the first in-house complication of BA111OD. As the minute hand moves around the dial in the usual manner, the hour is indicated by a small dot that follows a hypocycloid path within a triangle, creating a non-linear experience of time. “I particularly appreciate this aspect. Not only is it fascinating, but it is also the symbolic aspect of life that fascinates me. Like those precious moments that last or pass… the hour point slows and then speeds up again in a movement that seems irregular but is nevertheless perfectly calibrated and precise.”
A hypocycloid time measurement
This project, originally conceived by designer Diego Böttger-Zevallos, has proven to be complex to implement. Thomas Baillod accepts the challenge. To ensure technical development and production, he once again relies on the brilliant watchmaker Olivier Mory, who is already responsible for the father of the BA111OD Chapter 4 Tourbillon.
“There is little other than the transcendent beauty of mathematics in obtaining a triangle using only things that go in circles! And it’s a subtle homage to the centuries-old use of the cycloid in watchmaking. Galileo, Newton, Huygens, Euler, Cantor and Roberval, to name just a few, all worked on the amazing properties of these curves.”
Olivier Mory
Rather than simply rotating a hand around a central axis, the movement was designed to “roll” a satellite hour wheel around a fixed central hour wheel. When a wheel rotates around another wheel, the trajectory described by each point on that satellite wheel is a cycloid. There are several types of cycloids, some of which have specific trajectories depending on the size ratio between the fixed gear and the satellite gear, as well as whether the satellite gear rotates inside or outside the fixed gear.
In this new chapter for BA1110D, the chosen cycloid is a deltaoid (with a ratio of 1/3), and therefore the trajectory described by the tip of the hour hand is… a triangle.
A particular shape that BA111OD highly values is the triangle. With its three legs, this geometric shape rising represents direction and determination. It symbolizes stability and balance. This balance reflects the brand’s business model, based on the three letters BAC (Business → Afluendors → Clients), breaking with the linearity of traditional sales (B2B, B2C). Even the name BA111OD contains the number 3 with its three ones. Conception, design, development, production and assembly Swiss Made: Between local collaboration and in-house work.
While very few watch brands have taken the step to further develop their manufacturing module, those that have done so are well established and have already gained recognition. BA111OD stands out from the crowd. The young brand based in Neuchâtel began this adventure on October 11th, 2019, even though it was only founded a little over 4 years ago. However, according to the founder, this is a continuation of his philosophy: “Since day one, BA111OD has been about a different perspective on watchmaking. Today we also offer a new reading of time.”
Thomas Baillod is used to highlighting the craftsmen with whom he develops his models and in this case he is no exception. He pays tribute to Diego Böttger-Zevallos, the original designer of this movement, with an engraving of the module 09310 on the dial, which, when read backwards, is a nice allusion to this Neuchâtel native, as his first name can be seen.
As with the previous models, the design is carried out by Liliane Murenzi, the senior designer of BA111OD. It is this that gives the piece its elegant character and highlights its DNA by playing with transparencies, asymmetries and subtle open zones in the movement at different levels, thus adding depth. All this is further enhanced by the contrast of the round, polished-brushed and matte satin surfaces.
The watchmaker-designer from Chaux-de-Fonds, Olivier Mory, has been working for over a year on the technical development of this mechanical self-winding movement with the BA111OD 09310 hypocycloid time reading module. He is also responsible for production while assembly is done in this factory-house. Since autumn 2022, BA111OD has had its own watchmaking workshop, T2 (dial assembly, hands, case) and T3 (bracelet assembly) in Neuchâtel. The brand also has its own customer service and logistics department. This integration proves his dynamism, his Neuchâtel roots and allows him to control the entire creation process in-house, thus strengthening his autonomy.
Swiss-made NFC technology – the watch industry’s first connected glassBA111OD is proud to be the first watch brand to offer models with a sapphire crystal connected via NFC (Near Field Communication), which enables contactless communication between two devices at close range within 1 cm allows. This technology creates a connection between the physical watch and the digital world, but only if the customer wants it. By scanning your watch, the NFC glass allows you to transfer your business card or other predetermined link directly to the phone of the person you are talking to.
Ba111od CHPTR_Δ AGIL – Technical specifications
TECHNOLOGY ID-Glass technology with a non-invasive NFC tag that is only inserted into the curved sapphire crystal. BA111OD is the first watchmaker to use NFC connected glass.
case Anti-allergic 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment, 44 mm, transparent case back
Crown At 4 o’clock (brand signature) with engraved BA111OD emblem
crystal Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Choose Satin-finished, multi-level matte steel with laser engraving. Faceted triangle in polished steel with 5N PVD treatment, white hour point with Superluminova
Movement Swiss-made self-winding mechanical movement, BA111OD manufactured module 09310 with hypocycloid time display (based on SoprodM100).
Features hour-minute
Date at 2 o’clock
Energy reserve 42 hours
belt Rubber strap with easy clip systemHD VISUALS: https://ba111od.com/pages/pr-chptr_%CE%B4-agil-limited-edition
Water resistance 5 atm
guarantee 2 years
Limited edition 111 numbered pieces
