Bovet presents an astonishingly modern and sporty version of its magnificent Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two model. Still boasting impressive mechanical features - a 10-day power reserve, large date, and double-sided tourbillon - the latest version is released in titanium cases with black DLC and luminescent dials. When we talk about luminescent dials, we mean not just the indexes or markers, but the entire surface of the dial, glowing in a multitude of attractive colors. Meet the Bovet 1822 Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined for 2021.
BOVET 1822 VIRTUOSO VIII CHAPTER TWO
The second chapter in the life of Bovet's magnificent Virtuoso VIII collection was written in 2020 and presented at the Geneva Watch Days. First released in 2017 for the brand's 195th anniversary, the Virtuoso VIII model lived up to its name by boldly showcasing complications - a 10-day power reserve, large date, and double-sided flying tourbillon - and richly hand-painted decorations.
Upon its re-release in 2020, the dial design was slightly altered: two additional aventurine glass dials appeared, and the Fleurisanne engraving on the movement was replaced with circular Geneva stripes. If you want to learn the real story behind Chapter Two, you can watch our video with Pascal Raffy, who explains how a collector's request for a lighter and more restrained version of the watch led to the creation of the Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two.
BOVET'S COLLABORATION WITH PININFARINA AND ROLLS ROYCE
The latest Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined models utilized a three-year collaboration with Rolls Royce and technology developed during the creation of the Bovet Boat Tail watch. Although Bovet's exquisite creations might seem distant from the automotive world, the brand has established several partnerships over the years. Collaboration with Italian car design studio Pininfarina in 2007 led to the creation of the Pininfarina OttantaSei 10-Day Tourbillon model. In a later collaboration, Bovet and luxury car manufacturer Rolls Royce released a pair of watches for him and her to accompany the bespoke Rolls Royce Boat Tail (priced at 20 million GBP). As expected, the result was an astonishing blend of the signature features of both hyper-luxury brands. Offset dials on both sides are powered by a single movement. The front dial features Caleidolego wood marquetry resembling the vertical Rolls Royce grille and a power reserve indicator styled like a fuel gauge. The lower half of the dial houses a hand-carved Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture in white gold. The men's model with an aventurine dial on the reverse side is adorned with a hand-painted miniature Rolls Royce car, while the women's model features floral motifs and a miniature version of the Rolls Royce Boat Tail. Beyond the impressive decorative elements, the Amadeo convertible case was equipped with a special mounting system to install the watch on the Rolls Royce dashboard! The brand describes the effect as a “Rolls Royce trickle down”: the experience Bovet gained in creating watches for the Rolls Royce Boat Tail influenced the technology of these latest models. The collaboration with Rolls Royce resulted in engineering and manufacturing achievements at Bovet that were incorporated into the brand's production. For example, the custom-made watches for the Rolls Royce Boat Tail underwent vibration, temperature fluctuations, humidity, and even crash tests!
NEW FOR 2021
Like other members of the Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two family, the 44mm case with a “writing slope” has a sloping shape; it is thicker at the top and tapers towards the bottom, raising the display for better readability. The novelty this year is the use of shiny black Grade 5 titanium with DLC coating, resulting in a case weighing only 64.7 grams. Described as a combination of Fleurier and Dimier cases, the crown at the “12 o'clock” position, protected by a bow-shaped mount, is an ode to pocket watches. The sapphire cabochon in the crown is not just decorative but serves as a quick date corrector.
The symmetrical dial layout has remained unchanged and includes two horizontal sub-dials in the upper half of the dial: the power reserve indicator on the left, the large date on the right. The lower half of the dial is reserved for the double-sided tourbillon with a peripheral seconds hand, which can be admired from both sides of the watch. The patented differential winding system, which reduces the number of crown turns needed to fully wind the spring, is displayed in an aperture at noon.
The contrast between the glossy black case and the bright color palette of Super-LumiNova dials is undoubtedly impressive. Available in yellow, blue, salmon, turquoise, green, and purple hues, the two sub-dials for the large date and power reserve are almost entirely covered, except for the large date aperture. Additionally, the seconds ring surrounding the flying tourbillon is also coated in Super-LumiNova, although the seconds hand is not. However, it is striking that Bovet has not changed the classic font used for the inscriptions and numbers on the dial, creating an interesting blend of old and new. The hour and minute hands also have luminescent tips, but there are only three hour markers at 11, 12, and 1 o'clock.
CALIBRE 17BM06-GD
Flipping the watch over, through the barrel bridge opening, you can see the back of the movement on the other side of the tourbillon and the spherical differential winding mechanism. The gear train is held in place by distinctive finger bridges. The beautiful architecture is complemented by a circular blackened Côtes de Genève pattern. The manual-winding movement operates at a speed of 18,000 vph and provides a powerful 10-day power reserve from a single barrel. Thanks to the original spherical differential winding system, the number of crown turns needed to fully wind the mainspring is halved without increasing friction in the gear train.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The Bovet 1822 Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two series is limited to eight pieces in each color. The watches come with alligator leather straps and stainless steel clasps with black DLC coating. The retail price is 200,000 Swiss Francs.
For more information, visit the Bovet website.
SPECIFICATIONS - BOVET VIRTUOSO CHAPTER TWO DLC-SLN
Case: 44mm diameter - sloping dial (writing slope case) in Grade 5 titanium with black DLC coating - water resistance 30m - sapphire glass front and back - crown at 12 o'clock with sapphire cabochon for date setting
Dial: skeleton - green, blue, yellow, purple, or salmon Super-LumiNova sub-dials, seconds scale and tips of hour and minute hands - large date in sub-dial at “3 o'clock”, power reserve indicator in sub-dial at “9 o'clock” - double-sided flying tourbillon at “6 o'clock” - differential winding system in aperture at “12 o'clock” - blackened bridges with circular Geneva patterns
Movement: calibre 17BM06-GD, in-house developed - manual winding - 356 components - one-minute flying tourbillon escapement - 18,000 vph - single barrel with 10-day power reserve - hours, minutes, small seconds, large date, power reserve indicator - blackened Côtes de Genève bridges and plates - central hours and minutes, seconds on flying tourbillon, large date and power reserve indicator
Strap: black or blue alligator leather - steel clasp with DLC coating
References: T10GD041, DLC titanium, green Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD042, DLC titanium, blue Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD045, DLC titanium, yellow Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD046, DLC titanium, purple Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD051, DLC titanium, salmon Super-LumiNova dials
Price: 200,000 SWISS FRANCS