A True Grand Complication.
Typically, a grand complication is a combination of three complications, but the Récital 18 Shooting Star from BOVET 1822 goes way beyond this definition. This amazing timepiece combines a mesmerizing tourbillon at 6 o'clock with a Jumping Hour, a retrograde minute display, a hemispherical precision moon phase display, dual time and world time displays, an indexable city display, and co-axial seconds on both sides of the 60-second tourbillon.
The movement, housed in the iconic Writing Slope case, has five days of power reserve and is entirely hand-engraved in BOVET's own workshops. BOVET manufactures more than 95% of all the components of the Shooting Star in its facilities in Switzerland, using the term "Swiss Handcrafted" to underscore the amount of handwork that is done by the House.
Designed by owner Pascal Raffy to be a truly functional traveler’s timepiece, he placed a corrector at 12 o’clock and another in the center of the crown to facilitate setting the Shooting Star's universal and local times, so that any one indication can be changed without ever affecting the others.
With the Récital 18 Shooting Star, you will always know what time it is, anywhere in the world.
5-day tourbillon, hemispheric universal worldwide time with selectable time zone and ultra-compact 24 cities indicator, hemispheric precision moon phase, jumping hours, retrograde minutes
In this timepiece, the complications work together to ensure fully intuitive functionality and use. The jumping hours and retrograde minutes enable the wearer to read off local time quickly and clearly.
Offering a new interpretation of universal time, a map representing the entire Earth contained in a single hemisphere has been specially created for this timepiece. It rotates over 24 hours inside a fixed ring divided into 24 zones. For enhanced comfort and functionality, an assignable time zone is indicated by a hand that follows the chosen meridian, its tip pointing to the time in the chosen time zone. Meanwhile, a concentric dual-roller city indicator clearly displays the name of a town situated on the meridian indicated by the hand.
Providing a logical complement to universal time, a highly precise double moon phase indicator (north/south) has also been added directly opposite on a second rotating hemisphere.
Enhanced realism and user comfort is provided by the engraved lunar reliefs and oceans. The surface of the moon is outlined in white Super-LumiNova while the sky and oceans have been meticulously coated in blue Super-LumiNova. As a result, the portrayal of the Earth and its satellite is strikingly realistic, even at night.
The list of complications continues with a 5-day power reserve indicator and a tourbillon oscillating at 21,600 vph. The latter is supported by a hand-engraved bridge, whose vaulted form harmoniously and symmetrically matches the hemispheres suggested by the moon and the Earth, as well as the local time dial.
The Recital 18 Shooting Star® was designed to be a truly functional traveler’s timepiece. A corrector at 12 o’clock and another at the center of the crown facilitate setting the timepiece to universal and local time, so that any one indication can be changed without ever affecting the others.
Two specific patents were filed for this caliber, which was manufactured entirely in-house (see attached press release for details). One concerned the adjustable ruby runners that enable the rotation of both hemispheres by liberating their central axis. The second was for the ingenious corrector system integrated into the crown that delivers constant and separate power to the two mechanisms it drives, ensuring a perfectly optimized and secure ensemble.
The movement’s architecture was designed to highlight our planet and its satellite—an atypical concept enhanced by the truncated case-side.
All the components making up the movement and exterior of this timepiece were developed and manufactured by BOVET 1822 and its Manufacture DIMIER 1738. The movement itself is entirely hand-engraved with a poetic vision of the stars.
Only 50 of these movements will be manufactured (across the entire range of models).
About Bovet
For more than 200 years, Bovet 1822 has been manufacturing Swiss Handcrafted timepieces, introducing innovative designs and astounding complications that push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking.
Mission Statement
Since 1822, the House of BOVET has been focusing on the decorative arts, timepiece design, chronometry, and mechanical timekeeping ingenuity.
With its in-house capability, BOVET 1822 is committed to manufacturing its own components, including complicated movements, dials, cases, and even spirals (something only a handful of companies can claim).
Mr. Pascal Raffy
In 2001, the House of BOVET is purchased by Pascal Raffy, a collector of BOVET and other timepieces.
Mr. Raffy is now the sole owner of BOVET 1822.
In 2006, Mr. Raffy purchased DIMIER 1738, a manufacture of tourbillons and spirals, as well as a case manufacturer.
At the same time, he purchased the Castle of Môtiers, once owned by the Bovet family, and installed the headquarters of the brand and the timepiece assembly, final quality control, as well as the engraving workshop.
Under the visionary guidance of owner Mr. Pascal Raffy, BOVET 1822 acquired renowned tourbillon and dial manufactures in 2006. DIMIER 1738, now renamed BOVET 1822, immediately began producing the Maison’s movements, hair springs, and dials in-house.
Describing Bovet
These are the words we prefer to be used when describing BOVET:
Integrated Manufacture
Today, Bovet is an integrated manufacture doing nearly 100% of the production and assembly of its timepieces.
FUNCTIONS
DIAMETER
THICKNESS (with glasses)
DIAL
CASE MATERIAL
BRACELET
BUCKLE
WATER RESISTANCE
MOVEMENT
