New Certification for the Rising Star

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New Certification for the Rising Star - Bovet
The Rising Star was certified by the Fleurier Quality Foundation, an independent entity which grants what is acknowledged to be the most stringent watchmaking quality label.
Pascal Raffy acquired the House of Bovet in 2001. That same year, Bovet co-founded the Fleurier Quality Foundation (FQF). On that occasion, Pascal Raffy promised that the first Bovet timepiece to be certified would be manufactured entirely in its own workshops. 
 
A stunning debut
 
The Rising Star tourbillon is manufactured entirely by DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale (Prestigious Craft Watchmaking Manufactory) which was acquired by Pascal Raffy in 2006; above all, this is the most complicated timepiece to have been developed and manufactured by the manufacture.
 
With its 608 components, the Rising Star tourbillon is the emblematic model of the Grand Complications Collection. Its movement has a 7-day power reserve. In addition to showing the hours, minutes and seconds, the Rising Star tourbillon displays two further independent time zones. Each of the two has a day/night indicator and a disc listing twenty-four cities for the twenty-four different time zones.


Bovet Rising Star 2141

The Rising Star tourbillon features an Amadeo® case which enables the timepiece to be converted into a reversible wristwatch, a miniature table clock or a pocket watch. Because the timepiece is reversible, the watchmakers decided to display the hours and minutes on an off-centre dial on the other side, so creating a fascinating second face.
 
Excellence is required
 
To qualify for the precious label, the timepieces must pass a wide range of stringent tests. Each timepiece must satisfy both chronometric and aesthetic criteria, guarantee perfect reliability, provide evidence of high quality manufacturing processes and be decorated according to the most rigorous norms of Prestige Watchmaking. Last but not least, all of the components must be manufactured and assembled in Switzerland (100% Swiss Made).
 
To justify a chronometric standard worthy of the label, the movements must first obtain a certificate issued by COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute). Since this certification is delivered for the movement alone, it is a recognized fact that the performance measured in the test may no longer be the same once the movement has been cased-up. 

Fleuritest
That is why a second chronometry test is performed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation, once the timepiece has been completed and cased-up. These measurements are taken on a machine that has been specially developed by and for the FQF: the Fleuritest. This is a computer-controlled robot. The movements and daily activity of a wearer’s wrist have been programmed according to various models. With these different models, the Fleuritest simulates the natural movements of a day’s use, while at the same time measuring and analyzing the rate and accuracy of the timepiece.
 
The FQF label also requires the timepiece to be Chronofiable validated. Chronofiable is an independent laboratory whose role is to test the dependability of the components and entire timepiece over the long term. Accelerated “ageing” of the timepiece is simulated. 
 
The reputation of Bovet was acquired over nearly two centuries through the combination of perfect chronometry and unrivalled use of the decorative arts applied to watchmaking. The Rising Star tourbillon therefore had nothing to fear from the uncompromising rigour of the experts at the Fleurier Quality Foundation. 
 
The movement was presented to them first in kit form so that each component could be examined individually in its entirety. The choice of materials, the resources deployed, the manufacturing techniques, selection of finishes and decoration have all been analysed at great length to determine compliance with the regulations adopted by the Foundation. A second expertise takes place once the movement is finished and assembled in order to test the consistency between theory, aesthetics, functions, chronometry and durability of the movement. Because of the complexity of the Rising Star tourbillon movement, twelve months were needed to complete all of these tests.
 
The principles underlying the Fleurier Quality Foundation likewise embody those of the Bovet. Logically enough, the two seals therefore appear on the same timepiece. This event had to be awaited patiently because Pascal Raffy first needed to restore Bovet's status as a Manufactory and guarantee its sustained excellence.
 
This first for Bovet is also afirst for the Fleurier Quality Foundation because the Rising Star Tourbillon is the most complicated timepiece to be certified by the Foundation in the twelve years of its existence.

 


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