The entire watchmaking world came together on November 9, 2023 at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the Oscars of watchmaking, to proclaim the BOVET Récital 20 Astérium the best Astronomical timepiece in the world.
The Grand Prix awards are voted on by more than 800 knowledgeable watch industry experts, journalists, collectors, and watch retailers from around the world.
Astronomical timepieces have been pushing watchmaking forward since the dawn of civilization, driven by mankind's efforts to control time and understand the heavens.
BOVET continues this tradition with the Récital 20 Astérium. Inspired by the travels of Edouard Bovet (the founder of BOVET more than 200 years ago) and the importance of innovation, BOVET owner Pascal Raffy and his team engineered and designed this complex timepiece that is simple to use and stunning on the wrist.
“My thanks go to the GPHG, the Jury, and the Academy for this honor, but first and foremost my heartfelt appreciation and respect to my extraordinary team at BOVET, artisans all, without whom none of our achievements would be possible” says Mr. Raffy.
The Récital 20 Astérium® seamlessly continues the tradition set by its illustrious predecessor, reprising the characteristic shaped case to present an unprecedented mechanical display that showcases the volumes and decoration of the timepiece.
Despite its complexity, setting this timepiece is as quick and easy as for a timepiece with a simple calendar mechanism. The same applies when determining the position of the stars in the sky. To do this, simply point the arrow of the sky map hand northwards. The ellipse opened by this sky map hand outlines the part of the sky that is visible from the wearer’s position at the moment of observation, assuming that the observer is positioned in the center of the elliptical window and enjoys a 360° view.
Astronomical timepieces are the most difficult to make and the most complex in the entire watch world. Housed in BOVET’s trademarked Writing Slope case, the Astérium puts its spectacular handcrafted movement on full display.
The BOVET Récital 20 Astérium is truly the pinnacle of astronomical timepieces and a worthy winner of the Award granted by the GPHG.
Features & Functionality
Time is defined by the position of the stars in the sky. Based on this undeniable fact, the night sky was chosen to play the ‘starring’ role in this new exceptional timepiece. Faithful to the underlying principles governing complication development at BOVET 1822, this sky map was designed to be functional, precise and intuitive all at once.
While complex ingenuity went into developing the Astérium®, its mechanism and winding device are designed to be simple, intuitive and reliable, as can be seen by merely turning the timepiece over and looking through the transparent sapphire crystal covering the entire movement. It features a host of graduations linked to the astronomic indications through which a single central hand travels. This hand is driven directly by the annual calendar, and therefore performs a complete rotation once every 365.25 days.
The surface of the lunar ground is engraved by hand before luminescent material is applied, also, by hand. The two circular windows which overhang the dome make it possible to read the age of the moon according to the specific orientation of its crescent, whether one is in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere of the earth.
The domes of the second time zone and the moon phase rotate by the patented mechanism of the radial guidance system, which increases the chronometry and the power reserve of the timepiece.
The precision mechanism that drives this dome gives it an accuracy that requires a correction of one day every 122 years.
The BOVET 1822 technicians opted to map out the stars and constellations visible from the Earth on a dome of translucent blue quartz, on which they are laser-engraved before being coated in Super-LumiNova® to create a dazzling true-to life sky. To ensure utmost realism, the highest stars in the sky are depicted at the top of the dome while the lowest stars nearer the horizon appear on the periphery of the display aperture.
To ensure intuitive use and optimal legibility, the hours hand has been designed to execute three functions simultaneously: it indicates the time, points to the north to facilitate map-reading, and carries the elliptical window characteristic of the night sky.
An annual calendar (dates and months) is graduated on the case-back bezel and serves to precisely regulate the night sky. Rapidly setting the annual calendar with the crown disconnects the hours and minutes hands, and enables both the position of the night sky and thus all sidereal information to be adjusted both quickly and easily.
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.
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THICKNESS
DIAL
CASE MATERIAL
BRACELET
BUCKLE
WATER RESISTANCE
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