Bovet understands that skeletonized timepieces appeal to many around the world, especially those who have a love for high-watchmaking.
Knowing this and in tapping into that knowledge, in the 22 years since Mr. Pascal Raffy took the helm of Bovet, he has insisted on making sure the movement is visible, its high watchmaking pedigree open to be admired, while at the same time reinforcing the House’s commitment to the decorative arts.
Given this focus on mechanical artistry, it might seem a bit surprising that the new Bovet 1822 Virtuoso XI is the very first full skeleton timepiece the House has ever introduced.
The Virtuoso collection from Bovet gets its name from the designation given to the most accomplished musicians in the world, and it represents the level of the artisans in the House.
In launching the new piece, Mr. Pascal Raffy, owner of the brand, considers every member of the House as an artisan and a virtuoso, stating how the timepieces produced by these virtuosos are not just time keepers, but instead works of art.
Inside Skeletonization
The delicate dance when skeletonizing a movement is to remove enough material to enhance the aesthetics and completely show the inner workings, while still keeping the movement robust enough to function impeccably. Take away too much material from the bridges, for example, and they could deform and damage the performance of the movement.
For this reason, the Virtuoso XI flying tourbillon movement, first used in the Virtuoso VIII, already endowed with beautiful and finely finished details, was re-engineered specifically to be open worked. The original movement’s Grand Date was removed and the gear train relocated to a more aesthetic position, and the entire movement was designed to be skeletonized. The bridges and plates were made as thin as possible from the start, and where they couldn’t be made any thinner due to structural requirements, angling and beveling makes them appear thinner than they actually are.
With the Virtuoso XI, the movement was specifically conceived and designed from the start to have enough space to engrave both sides of the bridges and plates, and room to admire them, and the result is exceptional. More transparent than any timepiece that the brand has ever produced, every aspect of this high watchmaking movement is on full display.
The Manufacture Movement
The flying tourbillon movement that drives the timepiece meets Bovet’s demanding criteria of chronometry, reliability, and expression. It draws its energy from a single barrel that ensures more than 10 days of power reserve (240 hours, when the industry standard is 42-48 hours), all while maintaining the balance wheel’s oscillations at 18,000 vph.
Finally, the long power reserve, 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, has received two patents. Because of this system, the number of crown turns needed for full winding of the mainspring is halved without increasing friction and forces exerted on the gears.
The power reserve barrel is laser-engraved with the Fleurisanne pattern and due to the barrel’s thin metal, hand-engraving was impossible, as the metal would have deformed under the engraver’s pressure.
The Virtuoso XI’s movement uses BOVET’s patented double-side flying tourbillon, and the hair spring and regulating organ used are entirely made in-house.
Reflecting on the work here, Mr Raffy explained: “In today’s world of mass-produced luxury, here at BOVET we focus on the human touch/hand craftsmanship.
“I am proud to introduce the Virtuoso XI, which combines modern high watchmaking with artisan hand-finishing and hand-engraving. This piece is an ode to BOVET’s artisans, who take such pride in every step of the process.”
Two Versions Available
The new Virtuoso XI comes in a 18K white gold case, with the option for engraved or high polished, and set with brilliant-white diamonds or unset.
The Virtuoso XI is a triumph of high watchmaking, skeletonization, hand-engraving, and hand-decoration.
All told, more than 60 pairs of human hands have come together to transform this timepiece into a true work of art.
