ReviewRock Solid: Tracing The Magnificence Of Bovet’s 19Thirty Meteorite Timepiece

Ever since their establishment in 1822, Bovet have been crafting some of the most exquisite timepieces in the fine watchmaking business that exhibit their mastery of the decorative arts such as enamelling, engraving, and miniature painting—these creations often adorned with pearls and precious gems. In fact, one of their primary areas of focus was to manufacture highly ornamental and chronometrically-advanced pocket watches during the 19th century, an era when these timekeepers were the order of the day. Such was their devotion to the artistic crafts in the haute horlogerie sphere that Bovet were one of the first watch manufacturers to use exhibition casebacks for their timepieces in order to showcase the beauty of the mechanics within. And they have continued on this trajectory for over two centuries now, and currently the brand does 95 percent of its production in-house, which includes dials, cases, and movements, along with components such as the hairspring and the regulating organ. This has enabled the Fleurier-based company to manufacture some of the most striking timekeepers with magnificent dials and the new 19Thirty Meteorite is testimony to the fact as it shines the spotlight on their watchmaking brilliance. While the company have been crafting watches with meteorite dials and have been mastering such materials since 2008; it’s the first time they have used titanium for the case, which was usually in red gold, white gold or stainless steel in the previous renditions. There’s also a new addition to this line—the 19Thirty Blue Meteorite—with an attractive new shade for the watch face, which is actually a blue-coloured PVD treatment; transparent enough so as to reveal the naturally-occurring pattern of the meteorite. Let’s dig a little deeper for the finer details.

A Sliver Of The Cosmos On Your Wrist

Bovet’s 19Thirty collection harks back to last of the pocket watches created by the brand, right before the advent of wristwatches. The timepieces in this collection are characterised by the remarkable symmetry and balance of the ‘easel’ chronometers, patented by Bovet in 1930, and hence the name does complete justice to this line of elegant timekeepers. It was first launched in 2015, exclusively in stainless steel, fitted with a movement that was specially created for this watch to suit the case dimensions. While elegance is one of the hallmarks, these watches stand out for the seven-day power reserve offered by a single barrel in the movement, with finishes that meet the same criteria as found in any high complication—hand-finished components offering supreme quality, even though most of the mechanism is usually hidden.

There’s also a new addition to this line—the 19Thirty Blue Meteorite—with an attractive new shade for the watch face, which is actually a blue-coloured PVD treatment

This dial coating is transparent enough so as to reveal the naturally-occurring pattern of the meteorite, and is also framed by a titanium case, presented on a matching blue textile strap

Bovet Fleurier

₹37,60,000

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The new Meteorite timepiece also follows the same design codes and comes in a 42mm titanium case that perfectly complements the greyish undertones and texture of the meteorite that has been used to carve the dial. The brand have used their iconic Fleurier case—a signature aesthetic of all the 19Thirty timepieces—with its bow-and-crown design, positioned at 12 o’clock. It is available as a limited-edition of 60 pieces only. While a considerable number of meteorites fall on the Earth’s surface every year; less than two per cent of them belong to the ‘irons’ category that can be used in watchmaking—the non-toxic variety. Also, another challenge is that very few are large enough to provide enough raw material to make dials.

The new Bovet 19Thirty Meteorite timepiece comes in a 42mm titanium case that perfectly complements the greyish undertones and texture of the meteorite that has been used for the dial

The brand have used their iconic Fleurier case—a signature aesthetic of all the 19Thirty timepieces—with its bow-and-crown design, positioned at 12 o’clock

Bovet Fleurier

₹29,30,000

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Bovet 19Thirty Meteorite: The Origins

Besides being rare, meteorites have always been a fascinating subject for mankind since they evoke the origins of the universe. They originated as part of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and were knocked out of orbit by colliding with other objects, plummeting towards the Earth at tremendous speeds, reaching up to 28,000km per hour, before landing on Earth. The Gibeon meteorite (the one used by Bovet for this watch), crashed on the Earth’s surface during prehistoric times—dating back to around four billion years. Its weight before crashing is estimated at 26 tonnes and large amounts of this rock have been discovered, scattered in fragments; however the quantity that can be used in watchmaking is highly restricted.

The new Bovet 19Thirty Meteorite watch is available in a limited-edition of 60 pieces only and is presented on a black leather strap

₹29,30,000

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It is driven by the in-house manual-winding calibre 15BM04, with a seven-day power reserve, beating at 21,600vph. It features blued screws, perlage on the mainplate, and the Côtes de Genève motif

₹29,30,000

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There is also a power reserve indication, positioned near three o’clock

₹29,30,000

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The Gibeon meteorite used for the dial is non-toxic, non-magnetic, and is known to be the most stable among ferrous meteorites, lending it an unmistakable structure

₹29,30,000

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Since it was first discovered in 1836 in the deserts of Namibia, Africa, near the village of Gibeon, it gets the name from here, and is composed of iron, nickel and small amounts of cobalt and phosphorus. What makes it an apt choice for a watch dial is the fact that it’s non-toxic, non-magnetic, and is known to be the most stable among ferrous meteorites, lending it an unmistakable structure.

However, it’s still not that easy to work with this fragment of rock. It has a unique crystalline structure, thanks to the exposure to varying degrees of temperatures and pressures that make it non-homogeneous. Therefore, machining a meteorite fragment is a particularly delicate process that requires constant attention. Once this done, the dial is plunged into a nitric acid bath, which helps in making the Widmanstätten pattern (the lines that are naturally visible on the meteorite surface), more prominent. Thanks to this process, no two dials are ever the same and each timepiece gets a unique identity. Finally, pad-printing and the addition of the hour-markers give the finishing touches to the dial, which has a power reserve indication near three o’clock and a small seconds counter at the six o’clock position. This looks even more stunning as the light reflects off the surface at different angles.

Owing to the Widmanstätten pattern (lines that are naturally visible on the meteorite surface), no two dials are the same and get a unique identity once they have been machined and polished

The meteorite dial looks even more stunning as the light reflects off the surface at different angles and features vintage, Roman hour markers, and a small seconds counter at six o’clock

The watch is powered by Bovet’s in-house manual-winding calibre 15BM04, which can be admired through the transparent caseback—just like the brand’s pocket watches from yore, showcasing refined finishings. It measures 35.53mm and offers a seven-day power reserve, beating at 21,600vph, and features blued screws, perlage on the mainplate and Côtes de Genève motif on the bridges. While carrying forward traditional know-how is important, it’s equally imperative to combine this with an avant-garde approach—just like Bovet’s new 19Thirty Meterorite that perfectly balances art and innovation to bring forth a masterpiece from the universe to grace your wrist.