In 2016, Bovet 1822 unveiled the Shooting Star tourbillon, the first timepiece in an exclusive collection dedicated to astronomy. The Astérium and Grand Récital tourbillons then followed in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Each of the three timepieces boasted groundbreaking technical specificities and explored new ways of measuring time, and each was also housed in a characteristic inclined case, inspired by and shaped like a sloped writing desk. Designed by Bovet 1822 Owner, Mr. Raffy, the “writing slope” case features a bezel inclined at 6 o’clock. This ingenious idea makes it possible to diversify and organize the types of displays by using domes, rollers, discs, and three-dimensional hands to enhance intuitiveness, ergonomics, and elegance. The three-dimensional design prioritizes information for improved readability and brings the collector’s eye to the heart of the movement to discover the excellence found in each detail.
As seen by the numerous awards bestowed on the trilogy’s timepieces, notably including the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix which honored Grand Récital at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2018, collectors and experts commend the stylistic revolution of the “writing slope” case. Mr. Raffy brought a new dimension to it through the transparency of the sapphire case of the Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One.
Technicians and artisans faced many challenges when designing its sapphire “writing slope” case. The original case design was manufactured up until this point with various metal alloys. In order to respect that design, the interior and exterior machining and polishing of the sloped middle required new, unprecedented technologies and techniques. The characteristic incline of the bezel's plane also required some ingenuity from the artisans who had to develop exclusive and innovative solutions. The bezel and middle are therefore worked in a single piece of sapphire and an upper glass is welded onto it.
Featuring a sapphire glass that opens wide to reveal the movements inside, the back consists of a bezel and four machine-cut horns in grade 5 titanium. In order to optimize transparency and ergonomics, the Bovet 1822 watchmakers decided to set the movement at the back rather than in the middle where it is usually housed. This atypical construction in a material as demanding as sapphire makes sense given the architecture of the movement powering the Brainstorm® Chapter One.
While all of these complications and their unprecedented staging fully justify the use of sapphire for this case, the latter has to be pivoted to allow you to observe the movement from that side. From this perspective, we immediately note the movement's atypical construction. The movement, entirely developed and manufactured in Bovet 1822's offices and workshops, reveals a stepped architecture whose succession of inclined planes carries all the movement's mobiles and components. This exclusive choice offers a host of advantages from many angles. First of all, it makes it possible to optimally fill the volume of the middle's V-shaped profile for enhanced ergonomics and an aesthetic worthy of the most demanding criteria in fine watchmaking craftsmanship. Legibility is also improved. Each indication is articulated around an axis perpendicular to the inclined plane of the bezel, thereby offering the best reading angle in a normal position.
It is undoubtedly technical and technological prowess that governed the choice of sapphire for the absolute esthetic coherence of this timepiece. It seduced Robb Report jury who awarded it with this new distinction, one of many prestigious awards earned by Bovet 1822.
