Renowned for over two centuries as a pioneering master of the decorative arts, Maison BOVET is also recognized for the reliability, innovative character, and exemplary chronometry of its movements.
This reputation was further enhanced with the launch of the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale in 2006.
In opening the Manufacture, Pascal Raffy brought to fruition a project that he first devised when buying the Maison in 2001: a project that would provide him with complete control over innovation and ensure exceptional quality. From the very beginning, he had a specific and long-term vision of his plan to restore BOVET to its former glory.
Fed with a passion for watchmaking from childhood by his collector grandfather, Pascal Raffy in turn became a collector and has always held Maison BOVET in high esteem. Mr. Raffy was offered an opportunity to fully express his sense of true luxury and acute eye for detail in what would become a pivotal role in the Maison’s destiny.
BOVET contains an especially broad spectrum of expertise within its Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale, where cutting-edge technologies coexist alongside traditional know-how. The Manufacture has established its leadership by introducing innovative new timekeeping concepts and technological developments, boasting over 15 patents that play a key role in the evolution of Haute Horlogerie.
Expertise
Established in 2006 as a collection of various establishments—specializing in tourbillons, balance-springs, and stamping—DIMIER 1738 is one of the most comprehensive Manufactures in the world, endowed with a remarkable degree of specialization. With the exception of the jewels and barrel springs, the Manufacture produces almost every component required by the Maison’s movements. Thus, machining, milling, spark erosion, stamping, cutting and burnishing are all provided in-house.
DIMIER 1738 is also one of only a handful of manufactures to produce balance-springs. The balance-spring is responsible for a timepiece’s accuracy and requires special skills in chemistry, physics, and mechanics. The metal alloy used is as complex as the production conditions required. Because the alloy must be worked at every stage of production —including drawing, rolling, coiling, creation of the terminal curve and counting—the Manufacture is capable of producing springs with optimal isochronism.
In mastering the production of the entire regulating organ, BOVET is able to produce the reliable power reserves with extraordinary endurance that characterize its movements.
Structure
After founding the DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale, Pascal Raffy devoted six months to transforming, organizing, and structuring what is now one of the most important centers for artisanal fine watchmaking in a sustained effort shared by the craftsmen, all of whom strive for excellence. Everything has been designed to optimize the work and logistics flow.
QUALITY CONTROL. Modern, ever-present, and uncompromising, this is the nerve center of the BOVET quality control structure. Consisting mostly of experienced watchmakers, the department is involved from the birth of a project right through to after-sales service. Positioned both upstream and downstream of all stages in the creation of a timepiece, the BOVET quality control department acts as an authentic interface between the technical department and all those engaged in production.
This network structure guarantees the immediate integration of solutions to potential problems that arise during production, as well as of the improvements suggested by all involved, with the aim of effectively and rapidly meeting the established specifications.
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT. The structure has been set up in a way that requires the timepiece to be considered as a whole—as a cohesive entity, rather than a collection of different components—whenever a new development is being planned. Those involved in the construction of the movements, dials, and cases work together on each project, right from the start. They begin by defining the ideal timepiece, according to a set of specifications, and then work on the different phases of development and prototyping.
The generous size of this department serves to avoid the bottlenecks often encountered at this stage of development. It also enables the constructors to cross-check their respective work, and in doing so, to guarantee the quality and smooth flow of production.
PRODUCTION. To ensure optimal logistics, the workshops of the Manufacture are organized chronologically according to the various production stages. The lower floor is occupied by the micromechanics department, while the upper, floor is home to the artisans and watchmakers responsible for assembly, finishing, and adjusting the calibers in a serene atelier.
Movements
When it was bought by BOVET, the Manufacture specialized in Grandes Complications, but only produced tourbillon movements. Less than a year after it joined BOVET, the company paid tribute to its craftsmen by dedicating the Dimier Collection to them, characterized by cases with four lugs and a crown placed traditionally at 3 o’clock. The first model—the Récital 1 Tourbillon—was highly symbolic and designed to emphasize the technical skill and virtuosity of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.
The first movement not regulated by a tourbillon to be entirely developed and manufactured by the Manufacture’s watchmakers were presented in 2014. It took five years to develop the Virtuoso II Calibre à Spécialités Horlogères movement, specifically designed to contain the special features of different BOVET collections. It stands out due to its ability to evolve and adapt to the type of indications required and for its dual display of hours and minutes on both sides of the movement: the famous reversed hand-fitting adapted to the Fleurier Collection’s reversible timepieces equipped with the Amadéo system.
In 2016, when the Manufacture celebrated its 10th anniversary, 80% of BOVET models were equipped with their own movements. Over this prolific period, 59 new movements were developed, and 16 patents were filed!
Dials
Created in 2006 and part of DIMIER 1738, the Manufacture de Cadrans enables BOVET to create dials that are perfectly balanced with the movements’ architecture. The craftsmen endeavor to sustain and revive the decorative arts for which the Maison has been famous for almost two hundred years. A range of techniques have been mastered, including lacquer, guilloché, flinqué, and cloisonné, and numerous materials are employed, such as mother-of-pearl, aventurine glass, semi-precious stones, marble, and meteorite.
Highly complex dials are also manufactured in-house, including the hand engraved and painted hemispherical display.
Discover more exciting creations from BOVET at our boutiques, or online.
