GMT XXL - Summer 2009
Since its destiny crossed pathswith that of Pascal Raffy eight years ago, Bovet has been enjoying a spectacular ascension worthy of its rich heritage. Driven by a passion for fine watchmaking, the brand owner is also distinguished by his visionary spirit. Not only is he a clever strategist, above all fascinated by complications, but he also designs watches and imagines movements. This multi-facetted creativity is eloquently expressed through the brand's latest new releases featuring a clever aesthetic blend of artistic freedom and technical constraints.
"Saguaro Chronograph (CENTER) METEORITE"
MOVEMENT: self-winding chronograph, Caliber 13BA01, 42-hour power reserve
CASE: 18K red gold
BOW: 18K red gold
DIAMETER: 46mm
CASE-BACK: sapphire crystal
FUNCTIONS: hour, minute, small seconds at 6 o'clock, chronograph with central seconds, minute counter at 9 o'clock, hour counter at 3 o'clock, big date at 12 o'clock
DIAL: black meteorite
STRAP: rubber
WATER RESISTANCE: 300m
LIMITED EDITION: 50 © BOVET
"Saguaro Chronograph (RIGHT) METEORITE"
MOVEMENT: self-winding chronograph, Caliber 13BA01, 42-hour power reserve
CASE: black PVD steel
BOW: 18K red gold
DIAMETER: 46mm
CASE-BACK: sapphire crystal
FUNCTIONS: hour, minute, small seconds at 6 o'clock, chronograph with central seconds, minute counter at 9 o'clock, hour counter at 3 o'clock, big date at 12 o'clock
DIAL: golden meteorite
STRAP: rubber
WATER RESISTANCE: 300m
LIMITED EDITION: 100 © BOVET
To celebrate time and its accompanying poetry, Bovet wished to offer its clients a fragment of eternity, embodied in the Saguaro Meteorite Chronograph of the Sportster® collection: this model features a dial crafted from the raw material of the Gibeon meteorite estimated to be four billion years old and of which various fragments were first discovered in Namibia in 1836. Although it contains more than 90% of iron, the other constituent elements are not homogeneous, which makes it particularly tricky to machine. After being meticulously sawn, machined and polished, each dial is then dipped in an acid which reveals (depending on the length of the immersion) the Widmanstätten patterns – a crystalline structure composed of geometrical interwoven bands. The construction of the chronograph is indeed based around this strict geometrical motif. The chronograph indications are arranged along a horizontal axis, while those relating to conventional time appear along a vertical axis. This perfectly balanced design evoking early sports chronographs also facilitates handling.
The Sportster line is also enriched by a Sportster Saguaro Tourbillonwhich appears in two original diameters – 45 mm and 51 mm – issued in limited editions of 100 each. The various professions including designers, artisans and technicians within the Manufacture Bovet are all united by the same passion and the same concern for consistency in rising to the challenge of marrying extreme aesthetic and technical refinement. These various skills are exercised by specialists at the peak of their respective arts and merge in a symbiosis verging on perfection. The two different versions of the Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon are equipped with the brand's proprietary Caliber 13BA05.
This self-winding tourbillon movement, crafted by the artisans of the sister company Dimier, displays a 7-day power reserve at 9 o'clock. Featuring a spectacular mechanical lacework pattern, the tourbillon carriage is revealed at 3 o'clock and carries the seconds hand which complements the central hour and minute hands. To ensure maximum inertia of the oscillating weight, the latter is fashioned from 22k gold and delicately chased by hand to make it a real gem.
The beauty of the case materials sets the finishing touch to the harmonious overall effect, further reinforced by the exceptional movement finish. The red gold of the bezel, the case-back, the crown, the strap lug as well as the traditional bow makes a fine match with the case-band in black PVD-coated titanium. This elegant and sophisticated exterior houses a movement adorned with exceptional finishing, and closer observation of this watch will consistently reveal a wealth of fascinating secrets.
In order to meet the demands of some of his customers wishing to wear a Bovet with a right-hand crown, Pascal Raffy created the Dimier brand in 2007. Its first model, Recital 1, was followed in 2008 by Recital 2 and Recital 3 Orbis Mundi®, a self-winding tourbillon watch with 7-day power reserve and dual time-zone display. The new Recital 4 will be launch in July 2009. Tirelessly pursuing the Group's ongoing quest for perfection, the finest exponents of the various professions dedicated to hand-crafted fine watchmaking represented by the Manufactures Dimier 1738 have joined forces in creating this stunning horological masterpiece – a grand complication model constituting a fresh feat of mechanical virtuosity.
The Caliber 13BA05 self-winding movement driving the precious Recital 3 Orbis Mundi® was devised, designed and developed with a view to incorporating a range of functions that are both useful and practical in daily life. The transparency of the sapphire dial successively reveals a set of refined indications appearing in the various sections of a perfect under-dial work. The tourbillon carriage is adorned with the brand's characteristic “lotus flower” motif and bears the seconds hand. A second time zone with 12 hours and minutes indication, with day/night indication.
Finally, an aperture at 11 o'clock displays one of the 24 cities perfectly synchronized with the second time zone, as well as a power-reserve gauge which displays the status of the 7 days' autonomy ensured by the combined use of twin barrels. Moreover, the practical side of this timepiece is obvious: 2 correctors at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock on the sides of the case enable quick and easy adjustment of the second time zone and the 24 cities, whereas the generous dial opening and the use of a luminescent substance ensures distinct legibility, while detracting nothing from the traditional aesthetic appeal of timepieces in the Recital line by Dimier.
