ReviewGo Around The World In Seven Days With The Bovet Orbis Mundi

The world-timer is a beast in the watch world—tough to tame, but definitely packs a punch. Latin for ‘the world’, the Orbis Mundi by Bovet is one such example that took more than two years in development. It materialises the maison’s unique take on this dream complication. Housed in the signature 42mm Fleurier case made entirely of 5N red gold, the watch face is beautifully decorated with an exquisite guilloché pattern. It creates a stunning design with a combination of finishes, and contrasts beautifully with a mesmerising two-part pure aventurine glass dial that sparkles like the starry night sky. The unique world-time display of this watch draws inspiration from the brand’s Récital 26 Brainstorm, which won the 2020 GPHG ‘mechanical exception’ prize.

Orbis Mundi Presents The World Inside Out

While most other world-timers have a bezel or an outer dial ring with multiple time zones and corresponding city names, Orbis Mundi flips the concept inside out, displaying all 24 time zones on an inner disc within the primary dial instead. As a result, the dial appears a lot less complicated, and accommodates a larger font for the city names with their time zones.

While most other world-timers have a bezel or an outer dial ring with multiple time zones and corresponding city names, Orbis Mundi flips the concept inside out

Orbis Mundi displays a unique construction that displays all 24 time zones on an inner disc within the primary dial

The proximity of city names to the hands also makes it more intuitive to tell the time across the globe

The placement of the city names on the dial remotely resembles the typography on the throttle of a vintage ship

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The proximity of city names to the hands also makes it more intuitive to tell the time across the globe. Another element that is bound to excite a globetrotting watch-lover is the placement of the city names on the dial, which remotely resembles the typography on the throttle of a vintage ship. 

Clever And Convenient 

The watch is powered by a brilliant hand-wound calibre, completely visible through an exhibition caseback. From a single barrel, it draws a massive reserve of seven days—also displayed in an indicator at three o’clock. The dial also offers a peek into the escapement through a curved window spanning from five to seven o’clock, with a three-arm rotating seconds hand, and a 20-second aventurine glass dial at six o’clock.

Housed in the signature 42mm Fleurier case made entirely of 5N red gold, the watch face is beautifully decorated with an exquisite guilloche pattern

The dial offers a peek into the escapement through a curved window spanning from five to seven o’clock, with a three-arm rotating seconds hand

What makes it even more special is that a single crown, within the signature bow-shaped lug at 12 o’clock, can be used to control all the functions. You can turn the crown counter-clockwise to set the primary time with hours and minutes, and clockwise to set the time in the other 24 time zones. The large cabochon sapphire on the crown adds to the opulence of the timepiece.

Living up to Bovet’s reputation of creating 100-percent Swiss-handcrafted timepieces, the Orbis Mundi is another fine example of the maison’s craft and commitment towards high horology.