When the Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two tourbillon was introduced last year, it was hailed as an incredible expression of artisanal watchmaking, decorative arts, mechanical ingenuity, and innovation.
This year, the House of BOVET is excited to introduce a new aesthetic that brings this
traditional expression of high watchmaking squarely into the 21st century, with titanium cases in brilliant black Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) and Super-LumiNova dials.
Placed side-by-side with the original, the newest Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two is a completely new timepiece, modern and sporty, while still maintaining its high watchmaking excellence.
Be surprised and delighted the first time you see these timepieces when they transition from the light into the dark. Now you can see BOVET in a completely different light – the glow of Super-LumiNova.
Features & Functionality
The new Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two includes everything else that made this introduction special – the patented flying tourbillon with ten days of power reserve, the patented accelerated rewinding system, the writing slope case and sapphire crystal aperture, the fine movement decoration, the big date display, and the two dials forming a horizontal number eight, which in numerology and in multiple cultures symbolizes luck, perfection, and infinity.
The movement that drives this exceptional timepiece meets BOVET’s demanding criteria of chronometry, reliability, and expression. It draws its energy from a single barrel that ensures more than ten days of power reserve, all while maintaining the balance wheel’s oscillations at 18,000 vph.
Finally, the power reserve of over ten days, provided by a single barrel, would require meticulous winding if not for the spherical differential winding system. The application of this ingenious mechanism and the multi-gear three-dimensional teeth of one of its pinions, have received two patents. Because of this differential winding system, the number of crown turns needed for full winding of the spring is halved without increasing friction and forces exerted on the gears.
Now You See Them
The Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two limited edition (8 of each color) is a modern interpretation of BOVET’s proprietary and patented flying tourbillon with a big date and lengthy power reserve. The Super-LumiNova-coated dials and black DLC titanium cases are a true 21st-century departure for BOVET, and a definite harbinger of things to come.
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)
THICKNESS (without glasses)
DIAL
CASE MATERIAL
BRACELET
BUCKLE
WATER RESISTANCE
MOVEMENT
Establishment of the BOVET Dynasty
Edouard Bovet was born in Fleurier. He was the son of Jean-Frédéric Bovet. He followed his father’s footsteps and became a master-watchmaker.
Edouard Bovet left London April 20 aboard the Orwell, ship of the “Compagnie des Indes,” on a voyage to China. He arrived in Canton, on August 16, where he quickly sold four watches for the sum of CHF 10,000 representing the equivalent of one million dollars today.
The House of BOVET, a family business, was registered on May 1st, in London.
The CHÂTEAU DE MÔTIERS was built in the 14th century, overlooking le Val-de-Travers and Fleurier. It was sold to Henri-François Dubois-Bovet.
BOVET’s Golden Age
Frédéric Bovet left London and returned home to Fleurier, where he managed the watchmaking workshops that at the time employed 175 people.
Edouard Bovet died in Fleurier at the age of 52, leaving his legacy in China. At that time, BOVET was a synonym of watch for the celestial (Chinese people), and used as a trade currency.
During the Universal Exhibition held in Paris, BOVET won the gold medal in the category ‘luxury’ for a pair of enameled watches commissioned by the Emperor of China.
Fritz Bovet, Alphonse’s eldest son, filed a patent for a flyback chronograph equipped with a seconds-hand, minute-counter, and hour-counter that featured measurements of up to 24 hours. This ingenious mechanism offered the possibility of using the chronograph as a second-time zone.
BOVET filed a patent for the Easel watch, which allowed the use of a pocket watch as a table clock. Another patent was filed for the Mono Split-Second chronograph, which today remains highly desirable among collectors.
Henri-François Dubois-Bovet’s great grandchildren gifted the Castle of Môtiers to the state of Neuchâtel.
The Pinnacle of the Watchmaking Arts
Pascal Raffy, a passionate collector of Haute Horology, became sole owner of BOVET Fleurier SA.
Pascal Raffy bought the Castle of Môtiers, classified as a historical monument, from the State of Neuchâtel, and established the first BOVET’s assembly workshop. To continue the legacy of the Bovet brothers, he soon integrated the DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale and BOVET Manufacture of dials.
To celebrate their mutual respect and admiration, the House of BOVET and Pininfarina established a partnership to create luxury sport timepieces that unites their passion for design and engineering brilliance.
The House of BOVET premiered the patented Amadéo® convertible case, which allows you to transform your timepiece in a reversible wristwatch, table clock and pocket watch (or necklace watch) without the use of any tool.
BOVET launched the Virtuoso II Caliber, the first movement not regulated by a tourbillon to be entirely developed and handcrafted in-house.
Pascal Raffy unveiled two historical timepieces exclusively handcrafted by the BOVET’s artisans: the incredible Braveheart®, with 6 patents and an impressive 22-day power reserve, and the 19Thirty designed in homage to the pocket watches created by the Bovet family in the 1930s.
Pascal Raffy’s commitment and dedication to the highest level of Haute Horology is both acknowledged and honored when the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards the Récital 22 Grand Récital, its most coveted award, the Aiguille d’Or.
The Bovet Family welcomed Miss Audrey Raffy and her passion for Haute Horology, as she joined forces with her father Mr. Pascal Raffy to continue leading the pathway of Engineering Brilliance.
Mr. Pascal Raffy was honored to receive the 2020 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award for Mechanical Exception for the magnificent Recital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two and the Ladies’ Watch award for the beautiful Miss Audrey timepiece.
Mr. Pascal Raffy’s tremendous energy, paired with a long-term strategy and vision, has enabled him to raise the House of BOVET to the pinnacle of the watchmaking arts.
Haute Horlogerie
Pascal Raffy discovered the fascinating world of Haute Horlogerie during his childhood when Sundays were spent with his grandfather, a watch connoisseur who used to show him the timepieces from his collection. He would review the specific features of each, along with their history or their influence on the technical or artistic evolution of fine watchmaking.
That was enough to ignite an ongoing passion for Haute Horlogerie and even more importantly instil the human values and awareness of authentic luxury thus passed on to Pascal Raffy. These qualities now represent the pillars upon which the House of BOVET has built its success.
