Bailly&Banks NIBBIO was created in Rome,
the Eternal City, in memory of those Italians who donated throughout history a great impulse to the aviation development trough their passion , hard work and dedication.
Its name offers a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci, the very first who really discovered that man had the chance to create a machine to allow him to fly.
From the observation of the flying skills of a bird of prey, the Nibbio (kite in English), the Italian genius developed the first insights on aerodynamic principles that underlie the flight.
From these so important roots, the designer’s intent through the watch design is to remind you about the Italian pilots and industries in the 1920’s and 30’s involved in epic undertakings, like the 1933 Atlantic flight from Italy to the United States made by a wing of seaplanes Savoia Marchetti SM55, captained by Commander Italo Balbo. It is also reminiscent of sporting victories as the ones in the "Schneider Cup”, an international speed competition among piston engine propeller aircrafts where the Italian aviation industry reached the highest ever achievements. Finally, the still unbeaten record for propeller seaplanes obtained by Marshal Agello flying a Macchi Castoldi MC72. Thanks to its sophisticated aerodynamics and its huge Fiat engine with counter-rotating propellers, it was able to reach the incredible record of 709,2 km/h.
In memory of these great men, Bailly&Banks expresses the belief that with commitment and dedication you can achieve your most ambitious goals, as those early aviators did, often challenged by their fate and the unknown. They managed, however, to push themselves to the highest standards to achieve what no human being had done before.
