This just in from Bovet -
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| Courtesy of Bovet |
Pascal Raffy acquired the House of BOVET and became its sole proprietor in 2001. In that same year, BOVET
co-founded the Fleurier Quality Foundation, an independent entity which delivers what is acknowledged to be the
most stringent watchmaking quality label in existence today.
On that occasion, Pascal Raffy promised that the first timepiece to be certified by the House of BOVET would be manufactured entirely in its own workshops. Today he is honouring that promise in a particularly impressive way.
A stunning debut
BOVET has just certified its first timepiece manufactured entirely by DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale (Prestigious Craft Watchmaking Manufactory) which was acquired by Pascal Raffy in 2006; above all, this is the most complicated timepiece to have been developed and manufactured by the House.
With its 608 components, the Rising Star tourbillon is the emblematic model of the Grand Complications Collection.
Its movement has a 7-day power reserve. In addition to showing the hours, minutes and seconds, the Rising Star
tourbillon displays two further independent time zones. Each of the two has a precious day/night indicator and a disc
listing twenty-four towns in the twenty-four different time zones.
Like all the models in the Fleurier collection, the Rising Star tourbillon features an ingenious Amadeo® case which enables the timepiece to be converted into a reversible wristwatch, a miniature table clock or a pocket watch, emphasizing the true legitimacy of the choice of a movement regulated by a tourbillon. Because the timepiece is reversible, the watchmakers at the Manufactory decided to display the hours and minutes on an off-centre dial on the other side, so creating a fascinating second face.
On that occasion, Pascal Raffy promised that the first timepiece to be certified by the House of BOVET would be manufactured entirely in its own workshops. Today he is honouring that promise in a particularly impressive way.
A stunning debut
BOVET has just certified its first timepiece manufactured entirely by DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale (Prestigious Craft Watchmaking Manufactory) which was acquired by Pascal Raffy in 2006; above all, this is the most complicated timepiece to have been developed and manufactured by the House.
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| Courtesy of Bovet |
Like all the models in the Fleurier collection, the Rising Star tourbillon features an ingenious Amadeo® case which enables the timepiece to be converted into a reversible wristwatch, a miniature table clock or a pocket watch, emphasizing the true legitimacy of the choice of a movement regulated by a tourbillon. Because the timepiece is reversible, the watchmakers at the Manufactory decided to display the hours and minutes on an off-centre dial on the other side, so creating a fascinating second face.
The exigencies of excellence
To qualify for the precious label, the timepieces must pass a wide range of exceptionally stringent tests. Each timepiece must satisfy both chronometric and aesthetic criteria, guarantee impeccable reliability, provide evidence of high quality manufacturing processes and be decorated according to the most stringent norms of Prestige Watchmaking. Last but not least, all of the components must be manufactured and assembled in Switzerland (100% Swiss Made).
To justify a chronometric standard worthy of the label, the movements must first obtain a certificate issued by COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute). Since this certification is delivered for the movement alone, it is a recognized fact that the performance measured in the test may no longer be the same once the movement has been cased-up. That is why a second chronometry test is performed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation, once the timepiece has been completed and cased-up. These measurements are taken on a machine which has been specially developed by and for the FQF: the Fleuritest. This is a computer-controlled robot. The movements and daily activity of a wearer’s wrist have been programmed according to various models. With these different models, the Fleuritest therefore simulates the natural movements of a day’s use, while at the same time measuring and analyzing the rate and accuracy of the timepiece.
The FQF label also requires the timepiece to be Chronofiable validated. Chronofiable is an independent laboratory whose role is to test the dependability of the components and entire timepiece over the long term. Accelerated “ageing” of the timepiece is simulated. For instance, each corrector is actuated as often as it would be in normal use over the lifetime of the timepiece.
The prestige of the House of BOVET has been acquired over nearly two centuries through the combination of perfect chronometry and unrivalled use of the decorative arts applied to watchmaking. The Rising Star tourbillon therefore had nothing to fear from the uncompromising rigour of the experts at the Fleurier Quality Foundation. The movement was presented to them first in kit form so that each component could be examined individually in its entirety. The choice of materials, the resources deployed, the manufacturing techniques, selection of finishes and decoration have all been analysed at great length to determine compliance with the regulations adopted by the Foundation. A second expertise takes place once the movement has been finished and assembled in order to test the consistency between theory, aesthetics, functions, chronometry and durability of the movement.
Because of the complexity of the Rising Star tourbillon movement, twelve months were needed to complete all of these tests.
To qualify for the precious label, the timepieces must pass a wide range of exceptionally stringent tests. Each timepiece must satisfy both chronometric and aesthetic criteria, guarantee impeccable reliability, provide evidence of high quality manufacturing processes and be decorated according to the most stringent norms of Prestige Watchmaking. Last but not least, all of the components must be manufactured and assembled in Switzerland (100% Swiss Made).
To justify a chronometric standard worthy of the label, the movements must first obtain a certificate issued by COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute). Since this certification is delivered for the movement alone, it is a recognized fact that the performance measured in the test may no longer be the same once the movement has been cased-up. That is why a second chronometry test is performed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation, once the timepiece has been completed and cased-up. These measurements are taken on a machine which has been specially developed by and for the FQF: the Fleuritest. This is a computer-controlled robot. The movements and daily activity of a wearer’s wrist have been programmed according to various models. With these different models, the Fleuritest therefore simulates the natural movements of a day’s use, while at the same time measuring and analyzing the rate and accuracy of the timepiece.
The FQF label also requires the timepiece to be Chronofiable validated. Chronofiable is an independent laboratory whose role is to test the dependability of the components and entire timepiece over the long term. Accelerated “ageing” of the timepiece is simulated. For instance, each corrector is actuated as often as it would be in normal use over the lifetime of the timepiece.
The prestige of the House of BOVET has been acquired over nearly two centuries through the combination of perfect chronometry and unrivalled use of the decorative arts applied to watchmaking. The Rising Star tourbillon therefore had nothing to fear from the uncompromising rigour of the experts at the Fleurier Quality Foundation. The movement was presented to them first in kit form so that each component could be examined individually in its entirety. The choice of materials, the resources deployed, the manufacturing techniques, selection of finishes and decoration have all been analysed at great length to determine compliance with the regulations adopted by the Foundation. A second expertise takes place once the movement has been finished and assembled in order to test the consistency between theory, aesthetics, functions, chronometry and durability of the movement.
Because of the complexity of the Rising Star tourbillon movement, twelve months were needed to complete all of these tests.
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