Round-UpPresenting The Most Exquisite Astronomical Timepieces From Bovet That Celebrate The Celestial World

Founded in 1822, Bovet have been crafting some of the most exquisite timepieces in the haute horlogerie business. These ornate timekeepers exhibit decorative arts like miniature painting, enamelling, engraving, and gem setting, taking them to an unprecedented level of excellence that is still unrivalled today. And over the decades, the brand have also been strengthening their repertoire by introducing various innovations—both technical and aesthetic. They were probably among the first few brands to have used transparent casebacks to showcase their movements and expertise in fine watchmaking. The Bovet brand was revived in 2001 by Pascal Raffy, who acquired the maison as the sole owner with the aim of protecting and sustaining this longstanding heritage, and consolidated all processes in order to make the brand truly independent in all aspects. This concentration makes it possible to produce each and every component—even hairsprings—that only a handful of companies around the world have mastered. Each Bovet timepiece is built on the fundamental four principles that form the backbone of haute horlogerie practised at the ateliers. These are:

• Absolute technical mastery, which translates into control of all watchmaking complications, impeccable timekeeping, and dominance in terms of power reserve
• A two-centuries-long record of supremacy in the decorative arts such as enamelling, miniature painting, hand engraving, and component decoration
• All timepieces being 100-percent Swiss made and handcrafted
• Controlled discretionary production (800 timepieces per year)

Currently Bovet’s focus is on producing watches under two main collections—Fleurier and Dimier—showcasing a variety in terms of chronographs, tourbillions, perpetual calendars, astronomical watches, and timekeepers featuring the brand’s patented Amadéo convertible case, which allows the wearer to transform their timepiece in a reversible wristwatch, table clock and pocket watch or a pendant watch—all without the help of any tools. Let’s look at some of the outstanding astronomical timepieces that take timekeeping to the next realm of horology in terms of their ingenious mechanisms and design codes.

Bovet Dimier Récital 27

In 2016, Bovet 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, featuring a bezel inclined at six o’clock. This ingenious idea makes it possible to diversify and organise the types of displays by using domes, rollers, discs, and three-dimensional hands on the dial. Available in a 46.3mm titanium or in a red gold case, the Récital 27 is offered in a limited edition of 60 timepieces only. It features multiple time zones, housed within this ‘writing slope’ case, which can be set to winter or summer hours for each chosen location. And this choice of three time zones is not a random selection. Historically, the company was established in three separate time zones simultaneously, so when it was founded on May 1, 1822, Bovet were already present in Switzerland, London and China. Beyond this historical anecdote, the three time zones also offer collectors the ease of keeping time in these three important zones that are imperative in today’s global scenario. The local time is displayed in hours and minutes at the centre of the timepiece while the secondary time zones appear at three and nine o’clock respectively. Each of the secondary time zones displays hours and minutes on a traditional 12-hour dial, and a day/night indicator prevents any confusion between morning and afternoon. Finally, an aperture displays the name of a city corresponding to the time zone indicated by the hands. For those collectors who so desire, the city discs can be customised to indicate the cities of their choice. Through its intuitive system of correctors, the three time zones can be set individually while adjusting for summer or winter hours. A domed moon-phase indicator completes the celestial inspiration for this timepiece. Its surface is engraved to evoke the lunar surface and the lower sections are filled with Super-LumiNova. The precision mechanism used to drive the moon phase requires correction only once every 122 years.  The sub-dials and the 12 o’clock cartouche are created using guilloche and lacquering work on a single large circular plate—a tough feat to achieve. Turning-over the timepiece reveals the in-house, hand-wound movement with a seven-day power reserve, where each component—visible or not—is decorated according to the most exacting quality standards practised at Bovet’s workshops.

The Bovet Dimier Récital 27 features multiple time zones, housed within a ‘writing slope’ case, which can be set to winter or summer hours for each chosen location

The local time is displayed in hours and minutes at the centre of the timepiece while the secondary time zones appear at three and nine o’clock respectively

It is driven by a hand-wound movement with a seven-day power reserve, where each component—visible or not—is decorated according to the most exacting quality standards

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Bovet Dimier Récital 27 Turquoise

Last year, Bovet equipped the Récital 27 timepiece with an exquisite turquoise guilloche dial. The new edition uses the brand’s extensive experience in executing complications with unique designs and this is no exception. It features the brand’s emblematic ‘writing slope’ case, which allows them to showcase three different time zones as chosen for the original Récital 27 timepiece. The dial features the local time indicated through the central hour and minute hands, a second time zone at three o’clock and a third time zone at nine o’clock—both the latter two with day/night indicators. It also showcases a 24-cities chapter ring on the upper half of the dial. The domed moon-phase indicator completes the information appearing on the face of watch. Its surface is engraved to evoke the lunar surface and for heightened realism, the lower sections are filled with Super-LumiNova. One can see the guilloche work executed in a brilliant turquoise blue on these sub-dials and indicators. The precision mechanism used to drive the moon phase requires correction only once every 122 years. This watch is available in either a 46.3mm titanium or in an 18-karat red gold case—together comprising a limited edition of 60 pieces only. The Récital 27 is driven by a hand-wound movement, beating at a frequency of 21,600vph, offering a power reserve of seven days. It is indicated on the reverse, visible through the exhibition caseback.

Last year, Bovet equipped the Récital 27 timepiece with an exquisite turquoise blue guilloche dial, featuring three different time zones with day/night indicators

The domed moon-phase is engraved to evoke the lunar surface and is filled with Super-LumiNova. The mechanism used to drive this requires correction only once every 122 years

Bovet Dimier

₹96,60,000

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Bovet Dimier Récital 23

The Récital 23 is the first Bovet timepiece made especially for women to feature the ‘writing slope’ case, designed here for the first time in an oval shape, measuring 43mm in height and 28.7mm in width. Hours and minutes occupy an off-centred dial at six o’clock, while a poetic three-dimensional moon phase is displayed on the upper section of the timepiece. It is driven by a self-winding mechanical movement with an oscillating weight in 22-karat gold that is finely hand-engraved. This guarantees a power reserve of 62 hours. The module, entirely developed and manufactured in-house, makes it possible to offset the time display and add the moon phase indicator, while being presented in the form of a hemispherical dome. The precision mechanism used to drive the moon phase requires correction only once every 122 years—just like the other Récital models. There’s also a push button inside the cabochon of the crown so as to be able to adjust the moon phase mechanism. The latter is therefore easily modified without needing to use any external tool. The model featured here comes in a red gold case, paved entirely with diamonds, presented on a midnight blue leather strap to complement the aventurine off-centre display.

Bovet Dimier

₹1,28,80,000

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Bovet Dimier Récital 29

The Récital 29 is the first timepiece from Bovet featuring their signature ‘writing slope’ case in stainless steel. Its inclination reveals a new fine watchmaking calibre manufactured entirely in-house. Its reverse construction makes it possible to admire the swinging of the balance hairspring on the dial face, whereas this element is usually only visible through the caseback. In this instance, the time-honoured energy control within the movement guarantees a five-day power reserve with the use of a single barrel. This feat is achieved through each component’s uncompromising finishing, wherein the precision of execution limits the friction of the components in movement. This increases the power reserve by saving energy rather than increasing it. Bovet are among the very few players in the watchmaking world to simultaneously master the science of both balances and traditional hairsprings. This technological independence makes it possible to obtain exemplary chronometry throughout the movement’s five-day power. This new calibre displays the hours and minutes on a dial offset at 12 o’clock, along with the moon phase placed at six o’clock, to create symmetry and balance. The artisans at Bovet have expressed a new facet of their virtuosity in this area. While they have already astounded collectors with hand-painted hemispherical dials crafted in quartz or aventurine glass, the dome that displays the hours and minutes on the Récital 29 is the first dial with this profile to feature a guilloche design. A second dome displays the moon phase at six o’clock and fills the volume of the case, offering intuitive reading. The engraving on the dome’s surface is covered with a luminescent material applied by hand that illustrates the lunar surface with a striking realism. The double aperture overlooking the dome indicates the age of the moon, whether you are in the earth’s northern or southern hemisphere. There is also no need for a corrective tool to adjust the moon phase, and one can simply press the sapphire decorating the crown to operate this function with equal ease and safety. The 42mm stainless steel case with its ergonomics and the functions make the Récital 29 a perfect watch for everyday use.

Bovet Dimier Explore the Collection