Bovet announces a new edition to their Virtuoso VII Chapter Two now in a re-imagined guise. Limited Edition of only 8 pieces. With some rather interesting expression of artisanal watchmaking, decorative arts, mechanical ingenuity, and innovation.
Press release details with commentary in italics
Bovet Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined
Retail price is SGD 320,000 inclusive of GST. Price in Switzerland is CHF 200.000 also with VAT. And Malaysia, is at CHF 210,000 (approx. MYR 980,000) inclusive of taxes.
Commentary
The Virtuoso VII Chapter Two was first released in 2020, and the House of Bovet has introduced a new version with a new aesthetic now with titanium cases with black DLC and SuperLumiNova dials.
We have done a full detailed review of the Bovet Fleurier Tourbillon Virtuoso III Perpetual Calendar, and the VII builds on the showcase that has made Bovet an interesting brand to look at. While we are certain that at some point, there must have been a Virtuoso I and II, the Bovet website starts with the III, and we have not found other sources of information on any earlier editions. If you have information, would you please share with us.
The series has always showcased the manufacture’s virtuosity, so the name of the collection is no coincidence. It is purposefully chosen to reflect the brand owner, Pascal Raffy’s intentions. The collection in particular, and Bovet watches in general all have this showbusiness feel, where the artistry of traditional watchmaking art meets with flair and flamboyance. We think it makes for interesting watches.
With the introduction of the VII Chapter Two, the 2020 release was with an 18k red gold case. And this new Reimagined version is released in black DLC titanium case and with generous use of SuperLumiNova for a big lume effect. Four dial options are available in this new release, each a limited edition of 8, making a total edition size of 32.
The same Caliber 17BM06-GD is retained. This is not a bad thing, as the movement is spectacular. It is full of horologically interesting features. The list comprise of the double sided flying tourbillon, the 10 day power reserve with big date indication, a unique differential keyless works winding system. On top of that, the movement has always and continue to feature top level finishing in the best of the art.
We have requested to view and photograph the Virtuoso VII Chapter Two Reimagined, but it remains to be seen that as this is an extremely limited edition of only a total of 32 pieces, if a piece gets allocated to Singapore. We will update if and when we get to do this.
Release details
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. This is a theme moving forward for the House of BOVET – using interesting materials, colors, treatments, and displays that modernize these intricate timepieces, while still emphasizing the artisanal nature of the Maison’s inhouse production.
Speaking of in-house production, BOVET 1822’s processes greatly benefited from the incredible three-year collaboration with Rolls-Royce that resulted in the stunning pair of bespoke timepieces and the mounting system in the dashboard of the Boat Tail.
Like participation in Formula 1 provides a trickle-down of technology into an automaker’s passenger cars, the intense research, development, and testing (including crash testing) of the Boat Tail timepieces resulted in engineering and production gains that have impacted every aspect of BOVET’s manufacture. Every single collection has benefitted from this exchange of engineering and technology, including the brand Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two.
The Super-LumiNova coated dials, not just indices or markings but the entire dial surface, are available in Yellow, Blue, Salmon, Turquoise, Green, and Violet. Each color is limited to eight (8) timepieces. Once charged, these dials really pop, showcasing the luminosity in a unique way. You will 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.
Over the past few years, the House of BOVET has been integrating Super-LumiNova into its timepieces in unique ways – in the lunar surface of the moon phase, on the sunshine dials of various collections – but this is the first time that Super-LumiNova has been applied so strongly onto the dials, a true statement of modernity.
The Grade 5 titanium cases of these new Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two timepieces have been treated with brilliant black DLC, creating a “dark side” that contrasts beautifully with the bright and vibrant dial colors.
The Details
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.
For exceptional legibility, the seconds’ display is carefully designed to be displayed by a Super-LumiNova-coated sub-dial. The arrow of the index hangs over the surface of the delicate circular dial showing the 60 seconds. The easy, precise readability offered by this display, even in the dark, is remarkable. To achieve this, the seconds’ dial must be affixed to the plate during the initial assembly phases, which makes the watchmakers’ work even more delicate when working with the Super-LumiNova coating, as one scratch will necessitate starting over.
It is hard to imagine that a Super-LumiNova dial with such a diameter, hanging over the date disks, could allow for such a large date display. The space between the units’ disk and the hours’ disk is reduced to optimize readability, making it as large as possible for enhanced legibility. The watchmakers also did not forget the date correction, which does not even require removing the timepiece from one’s wrist, and is performed simply by pressing down on the real sapphire cabochon crown. The rapid date corrector and iconic 12-o’clock positioning of the crown effectively avoid any accidental date correction.
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.
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.
Bovet Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two DLC-SLN TECHNICAL DATA
References
T10GD041, Titanium DLC, green Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD042, Titanium DLC, blue Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD045, Titanium DLC, yellow Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD046, Titanium DLC, purple Super-LumiNova dials
T10GD051, Titanium DLC, salmon Super-LumiNova dials
Limited Edition to 8 timepieces per color of dial
CASE Type Fleurier Diameter 44 mm
Material Titanium Strap Full-skin alligator
Buckle Stainless steel pin buckle with Diamond-like carbon Coating
Water resistance 30 m MOVEMENT Caliber 17BM06-GD
Type Hand-wound movement decorated with blackened Côtes de Genève
Diameter 17’’’
Frequency 18’000 v/h Power reserve 10 days, single barrel
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds on flying tourbillon, big date, power reserve indicator
DIALS Colored Super-LumiNova dials ; green, blue, yellow, purple, salmon Components 394 – including 356 components for the movement PATENTS Spherical winding Toothing with multiple gearing Double face tourbillon
