Ba111od’s surprisingly deep roots take front and center with new Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions
Andrew O'Connor- Ba111od releases new special edition versions of its Chapter 8 model, its latest watch collection.
- Dubbed the Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions, these two new models feature a design inspired by a pocket watch from the late 19th century, signed “Charles Baillod, Locle”.
- Available in steel and PVD “soft-gold,” both special editions are priced at CHF 1,110.
Despite Ba111od’s 2019 launch and largely contemporary design language, the Baillod family has ties to the Neuchâtel region of Switzerland dating back to 1341, with the family’s first involvement in watchmaking being documented in 1775. Ba111od gained its modern notoriety with a consumer-focused retail model, transparency with its manufacturing, and accessibility. The brand’s Chapter 4 Tourbillon made waves within the watch world, as it is one of the most affordable Swiss-made tourbillons available with modern features such as magnetic resistance, shock resistance, usable water resistance, and fit and finish that will not disappoint. Ba111Od has since expanded its offerings, including the Chapter 8 series that the brand describes as “neo-vintage”, blending the brand’s contemporary design language with more traditional touches.
This latest release takes that a step further, paying tribute to the Baillod watchmaking family legacy with two new special editions. The Ba111od Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions pay homage to a family pocket watch from the late 19th century. In 2025, the brand added this pocket watch, which is signed “Charles Baillod, Locle” to its heritage collection – Ba111od senior designer Liliane Murenzi then took this pocket watch as the design inspiration for these new special editions, taking cues, especially from the dial and the gold case, and translated them to Ba111od’s Chapter 8 model.
The new Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions feature a 41mm stainless steel case that measures 48mm lug-to-lug, 12.75mm thick, 20mm lugs, and has 50 meters of water resistance. The case is available in stainless steel or PVD “soft-gold,” mimicking the gold case of the Baillod family pocket watch. The silver dial features both sunray and guilloché motif finishes, with Roman numerals and a railroad second-track printed on the dial. The sub-seconds dial located at 7 o’clock (like other Chapter 8 models) has a sunray finish. Covering the dial is a domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. The gold-toned edition features black hands, and the stainless steel case version features blued hands. Staying true to Ba111od’s design language, the crown is located at 4 o’clock, but it is an onion-style crown similar to the one seen on the pocket watch.
The movement inside is a Soprod C110 automatic movement with an engraved Ba111od rotor, displaying the hours, minutes, seconds, and has a 42-hour power reserve. The case back is engraved with specifications, special edition demarkation, and decorative motifs mimicking the engravings seen on the Baillod pocket watch. The movement is viewed through a sapphire crystal display back, and both versions come with a quick-release black leather strap with crocodile-style embossing. The strap is secured via a double-folding stainless steel deployant clasp that matches the case tone.
Closing thoughts
Ba111od’s goal is to respect history without being confined by it. With many of its offerings focusing on a very contemporary design language, this Chapter 8 special edition definitely leans more on the brand’s family history, which isn’t a bad thing. These Family Legacy models give Ba111od a chance to flex some different design muscles, expanding the types of watches they are capable of producing. These new models cater to both die-hard Ba111od fans and those who have been interested in the brand’s story, but have been waiting for something far more traditional in design. It could be quite interesting to see them expand this design language to other models in the future.
Ba111od Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions pricing and availability
The Ba111od Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions will be available directly from Ba111od starting February 19th, 2026. Price: CHF 1,100
| Brand | Ba111od |
| Model | Chapter 8 Family Legacy Special Editions |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 12.75mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel Gold PVD stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Silver-toned sunray and guilloché motif dial |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap |
Quick-release crocodile-embossed leather strap with case-matching double-folding deployant clasp
|
| Movement |
Soprod C110, automatic
|
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions |
Hours, minutes, small seconds
|
| Availability | From February 19th, 2026 |
| Price | CHF 1,110 |