sham1
9625
A intriguing brand which is seldom covered!
With the current state of the watch industry where the big brands seem to have insufficient stock no matter how many watches they produce, some of us have directed our attention and hard earned money to independent watchmakers. In my case, I have always had a soft spot for independents, possibly due to the interaction I have had with many of them at Salon QP in London but mainly due to the creativity, originality, superior movement finishing and personalised customer service offered. I recall for example first meeting a young watchmaker at Salon QP who sat with his colleague with hardly anyone stopping at his booth and as usual like a busy body I had to stop and say hello. He then passionately described the black polishing that had gone into his watches. Like an excited teenager, he showed me his school watch which he made while at Patek Philippe and was allowed to keep it. This impressionable young man some of you might have heard of - a certain Monsieur Rexhep Rexhepi. But I digress.
The latest focus of my attention has been watches by Bovet that produces no more than 1000 pieces a year, 30% of which are bespoke made to order pieces. Coincidentally the brand celebrates its 200th year anniversary this year which makes it among the oldest watch companies. Ownership has changed many times and the brand was revived in 2001 when Monsieur Pascal Raffy bought the company and decided to produce his watches in house. He integrated the dial, case and movement making activities and introduced the patented Amadeo system to his watches in 2010 which allows a wristwatch to be converted into a pocket watch and a table clock, utilising a simple yet ingenious system.
Initially, Bovet watches were only made in precious metal but with the introduction of the more accessible 19thirty collection, the watches were also produced in steel. In 2018, Bovet won the Aiguille D'or, the top prize at the GPHG.
After careful researching of the watches currently on offer, I have shortlisted three watches, any of which I would be privileged to add to my collection. Which one ticks your fancy?! 
The 19thirty in steel, The dial has six layers of lacquer.
The movement of the 19thirty fills up the 42mm case well. It has a seven day power reserve on a single barrel!
The 43mm Monsieur Bovet in red gold which is a double sided watch that can also be converted into a pocket watch or table clock
The newly launched Virtuoso V in a titanium case with an exquisite salmon dial. The case measures 43.5mm
It can be converted into a table clock too!
The reverse side is no less attractive. The watch chain is thrown in!
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A intriguing brand which is seldom covered!
With the current state of the watch industry where the big brands seem to have insufficient stock no matter how many watches they produce, some of us have directed our attention and hard earned money to independent watchmakers. In my case, I have always h...
I admire the skill...
...but the design is too ornate for me...and I'm not a fan of the lugs.
Thank you for your feedback!
I believe the lug design was necessary for the Amadeo system to work because by removing the pins in the lugs, the watch can be converted into a pocket watch or table clock or instead be able to wear trhe watch on its reverse side. In addition, the shape ...
Push comes to shove, the VV salmon dial..
The lug design is a design element in itself which may clash with an ornate dial. With the simple retrograde layout of the VV, both the lug and the dial can be complementary. Having said that, my tastes are more pedestrian. I drink coffee from a mug as op...
Shock horror - you drink coffee from a mug??
I drink water from a mug too and can't afford to drink coffee as the watch fund always needs help!!
But to be honest
I too am partial to the VV salmon dial even if is the thickest of the three watches at 15.7mm but the hue on this salmon dial seems perfect!
These are pretty cool, I haven’t paid much attention to Bovet
Didn’t know about the amadeo system, that is quite unique. Also impressed by the 7 day power reserve. The size and thickness seems a bit much for my taste but maybe I need to see them in person! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your response!
The 19thirty range has a thickness of 9.08mm so it is pretty wearable. The Monsieur Bovet at 13mm and the Virtuoso V at 15.7mm are a lot thicker though probably to give them the necessary body when they assume their table clock function.
Bovet makes mighty impressive timepieces.
Met with one of Bovet 1822's ?owners? a few years back at Mayors (owned by WoS) in Tampa during an event one of my passions was sponsoring. She bestowed upon us some wonderful insight into the brand, and of course details about the very high quality they ...
I can barely afford the pieces on offer
so a custom made piece would be way over my budget unfortunately. Saying that, I truly believe that although this brand may appeal to a niche market, the total package offered is quite remarkable compared to anything else in the market and it remains very...
Agreed.
Bovet 1822 being low key is a benefit as they are producing extremely high-quality pieces. Reminds me of my favorite cold enamel and precious metal jewelry handcrafters Wellendorff. You don't hear much about Wellendorff or Bovet 1822, and that's fine as a...
Let's hope Bovet continues with this ethos
The fact that my thread has attracted a relatively low response in itself shows the popularity of the brand as compared to some of the more popular offerings. But that is ok because some brands are meant for the discerning few
They are nice watches...
We've tried to cover them. But the PR department is... inconsistent. Nevertheless, the gentleman behind the brand is an amazing fella.
Thanks for the feedback Patrick!
I have not had the privilege to meet Pascal Raffy - perhaps one day but I shall take your word for it. Brands Like Bovet need a dynamic leader to drive it.
I've only met him a few times...
I've only met him a few times, and I haven't been able to sit down with him and just chat for an hour or so. You get a special connection, a glimpse of their inner psyche once you've sat down with them for a while. The "politically correct corporate mask"...
You remember well Patrick! :-)
I hope Pascal Raffy has a good succession plan too as it would be sad to see his good work go to waste and continuity is paramount for any independent brand and its clientele. And yes I agree that spending time with the head of a company allows one a grea...
Yes! I remember the IWC!
I was so surprised when you got it. I thought you had gone nuts! That thing is HUGE! Panerai sized. Fortunately, the lugs allowed the watch to sit much better than any other normal 45mm timepiece. The Bovet 42mm does wear quite big, especially since that ...
Thanks Patrick!
I will take your word for it until I am able to try one on. With a watch like that, it is essential to try it on first before placing an order.
First I need to find a shop that sells one!
I will be in London and Paris in June and hope to find a Bovet dealer.
Enjoy! And good luck in your search!
Too bad we won't likely be able to rendezvous, as I don't think I'll be in Europe in June. But if anything changes. I'll let you know!
Thanks Patrick!!
I am actually going to London to get married before honeymooning in Paris so should really not be watch hunting!
Oh my goodness! Big congrats!
Wow! This is the first I’ve heard of the big news! Congrats Sham!
Thank you very much Patrick!!
That is because I have not announced it on here and only one other purist knows of it. Well as this is not my first marriage (though I sincerely hope that it will be my last!), I prefer to keep it low key.
Rare to get the 19thirteen
Not a bargain and not much points where you can buy a Bovet. On ch24 not much choice. But i like their watches.
I really like there watches . There pocket watch style with a modern twist is well designed.
I can see myself wearing one 🤗
The salmon dial has your name written on it my friend! :-)
It would be a wonderful addition to your collection of salmon dial watches
I too need to try on a Bovet
and the nearest AD to me is the boutique in Singapore which I would have to fly to. Incidentally, the salmon dial Virtuoso 5 is limited to 30 pieces only!
I don’t know if there is a Bovet AD in my area.
Need to see whats the nearest option. I know its a Limited , unfortunately so is my budget 😔
Your budget sounds like my budget! :-)
Too many lovely timepieces out there so we have to choose carefully!
I love love love Bovet!!!!
One of my fav brands of all time!! Just so cool! I have always liked their three time zone collection or their new world time watch too! I would pick the perpetual out of those options tho ...
I can see that you are a true lover of Bovet watches!
Those are some incredible watches that you have shared with us, Definitely a brand that deserves more recognition,
Definitely!!!
sorry for the late reply, my parents are coming in and so planning their arrival lol! but bovet is one of my fav brands and I have been lucky enough to try on some of their pieces!! ...
Hey, thanks Spencer!
Lovely photos and exactly what I needed - wrist shots especially of the Monsieur Bovet which looked great on your wrist! Enjoy your time with your parents!
I too have become interested in the brand and am learning more about it this year
It appears the engineering and craftsmanship are phenomenal. I think the design and aesthetic grows on one. I think the function of transitioning from wrist watch to pocket watch is more cool to demonstrate than would be practically useful; however, the s...
Nice to know that you have an interest in the brand!
I think the only factor that is currently stopping me from placing an order is the concern that the watches might be too large and thick for daily wear. Trying one on is the obvious solution, Finding one to try one is a different matter! But size apart, B...
That thought has occurred to me in previous forays of thinking about it
But in this recent spell of interest I have been spurred on by seeing some of the pieces on wrists in videos and pictures, and they seem to be quite wearable and pleasing from that perspective. Granted I have never tried one on myself, and totally agree t...
Thank you for your reply!
I am a bit concerned over the unusual lugs especially at 12 o'clock and how the watch will sit on my wrist. Sometimes when we fall in love with a watch, we 'make the watch fit our wrist'! I look forward to trying on one hopefully in June when I am in Euro...