Brand Owner Pascal Raffy Attends the Taiwan Unveiling Event Remarkable Masterpieces to Be Showcased at Cortina Watch Royal Nikko Boutique.
BOVET, a watch brand with deep historical ties to the Asian market, has officially returned to Taiwan thanks to the efforts of Cortina Watch and the enthusiastic anticipation of watch enthusiasts. BOVET’s owner, Pascal Raffy, personally attended the celebratory event, presenting several remarkable timepieces, including the Récital 28 Prowess 1 World Time Perpetual Calendar Flying Tourbillon, Virtuoso X Triple Time Zone Flying Tourbillon, and Virtuoso XI Skeleton Flying Tourbillon. From November 30 to December 15, Cortina Watch’s Taipei boutique at The Hotel Royal-Nikko will host a special BOVET timepiece exhibition, showcasing the brand’s extraordinary craftsmanship and unique aesthetic.
A Rich History of Innovation and Independence
Founded in 1822, BOVET was among the pioneering watch Maisons to enter the Asian market, with several of its 19th-century timepieces still preserved in renowned museums around the world. Under the leadership of Pascal Raffy since 2001, the brand has set four key goals: mastering haute horology, producing in-house movements, achieving vertical integration and preserving the traditional artistic crafts of watchmaking while constantly innovating. These efforts induced by Mr. Raffy have elevated the Maison to new heights.
In 1818, BOVET Embarks on a Historic Journey: Four Exquisite Pocket Watches Voyage to Canton, Jewel of the Qing Empire’s Trading Realm
BOVET operates out of the Château de Môtiers, a historic 14th-century castle in the Fleurier Valley of Switzerland. The Maison insists on in-house production of critical components such as movements, cases, hands, dials, and even hairsprings and escapements. Its artisans, skilled in techniques like hand engraving, dial manufacturing, skeletonizing, high-watchmaking assembly offer bespoke services, making each BOVET timepiece a collectible work of art.
With its movement manufacturing facility based in Tramelan, Switzerland, BOVET independently develops and produces complex movements such as tourbillons, world timers and perpetual calendars. It is also one of the few watchmakers capable of producing hairsprings, underscoring its unparalleled technical expertise. Despite its limited production, BOVET ensures that each timepiece features a high-watchmaking in-house movement, earning the admiration of collectors worldwide.
One of the Most Creative Independent Brands
BOVET boasts several patented innovations, such as the Amadeo Convertible Case System, introduced in 2010, which allows a watch to be worn on both sides, converted into a pocket watch, or used as a table clock. In 2014, the Maison further demonstrated its technical prowess by integrating the double coaxial seconds display function into the heart of its tourbillon mechanism, while the 2016 Writing Desk Case features a distinctive slant for enhanced readability and aesthetic appeal.
Combining technology, craftsmanship, and aesthetics, BOVET frequently garners prestigious international awards. It has won accolades like the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), including the 2018 Aiguille d’Or, 2020 Lady’s Watch and the 2023 Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize. Its latest Récital 28 Prowess 1 captured this year’s GPHG Mechanical Exception Award.
The Récital 20 Astérium Crowned with the Calendar and Astronomy Award in 2023
The Vision of a True Collector
Pascal Raffy, a seasoned watch collector himself, deeply understands collectors’ preferences and demands. Since acquiring BOVET in 2001, he has expanded its horological repertoire, recruited master watchmakers and artisans, and enhanced its technical innovation through Its own manufacture in Tramelan (previously known as DIMIER 1738). Despite focusing on exclusivity and precision, BOVET continues to produce masterpieces that resonate with elite collectors.
Cortina Watch, one of Asia’s leading luxury watch retailers with over 50 locations, has partnered with BOVET to leverage its expertise and offer exceptional service to Taiwanese consumers. Cortina Watch will introduce the latest collections, allowing Taiwanese collectors to experience BOVET’s exquisite timepieces firsthand. Pascal Raffy’s personal attendance at the launch event underscores the significance of this historic moment.
Pascal Raffy stated, “BOVET has deep historical ties with Eastern culture, drawing inspiration from antique timepieces to innovate and create complex, handmade timepieces with artisanal dedication. Taiwanese watch collectors possess remarkable expertise and a keen appreciation for independent Maisons. Through this collaboration with Cortina Watch, we aim to provide a more direct and comprehensive experience for Taiwanese collectors.”
Raymond Lim, CEO of Cortina Holdings, commented, “We are honored to collaborate with Pascal Raffy and BOVET, a brand founded in 1822 with a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship. With BOVET’s presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia, we are committed to expanding in Taiwan and introducing this historic, collectible brand to watch enthusiasts worldwide.”
Alvin Tan, Managing Director of Cortina Watch, added, “Cortina Watch strives to bring the world’s rarest and most unique brands to Taiwan. Partnering with BOVET is both a privilege and a milestone, enabling us to provide a richer variety of timepieces and first-hand information to meet the high expectations of Taiwanese watch enthusiasts.”
From Left: Mr. Alvin Tan, Managing Director of Cortina Watch; Mr. Pascal Raffy, Owner of BOVET; Mr. Raymond Lim, Executive Chairman of Cortina Watch Group
Récital 28 Prowess 1
BOVET’s 2024 new release, the Récital 28 Prowess 1 introduces groundbreaking innovative technology. Its unique world time zone switching mechanism allows quick one-button switching between any world time zones, including UTC (Universal Coordinated Time), AST (American Summer Time), EAS (European and American Summer Time), and EWT (European Winter Time). By pushing and rotating the crown 90 degrees, users can switch the time zone indicators on the 24-hour world time zone disc, seamlessly synchronizing with local time. This ingenious function elegantly solves the traditional world time zone watch’s limitation of displaying summer and winter time, featuring a complex movement with remarkably simple operation—a significant leap forward in world time zone watches.
The flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock, based on BOVET’s patented double-sided tourbillon, has been further lightweight. Of its 62 total components, 39 have been redesigned, with the entire tourbillon weighing just 0.35 grams—BOVET’s lightest tourbillon to date. Roller-type windows on both sides display the date, month, and leap year. The perpetual calendar mechanism automatically distinguishes between 31-day and 30-day months, as well as February’s 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years. BOVET’s patented date change safety mechanism ensures normal movement operation even when adjusting dates in the critical period around midnight. As the date changes on the last day of each month, the roller rebounds to its initial position, with a newly developed special damping system ensuring smooth date transitions.
This Récital 28 Prowess 1 is equipped with BOVET’s in-house R28-70-00X movement, comprising 744 hand-finished and hand-engraved components. It operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour with a 10-day power reserve. The transparent caseback allows full appreciation of the flying tourbillon and perpetual calendar mechanism—a visual delight. The case uses BOVET’s patented writing slope design, with a 46.30mm diameter. Its unique world time zone switching mechanism and complex functions undoubtedly make it one of 2024’s most anticipated timepieces.
Virtuoso X
Displaying three time zones simultaneously, the Virtuoso X Three Time Zone Flying Tourbillon Watch features central hands showing local time, complemented by two 24-hour time displays with hand-painted 3D world map globes. The window above the globe displays the main city names for each time zone, allowing for customizable city names and adjustments for summer and winter time. The dial is adorned with engraved twisted rope motifs, with a 3/4 movement bridge design that releases the lower 1/4 space, creating complete front-and-back transparency and showcasing BOVET’s characteristic double-sided flying tourbillon.
The patented Amadeo convertible case system creates multiple watch personalities—wristwatch, pocket watch, and desk clock—while also allowing strap removal, case rotation, and double-sided wear. This concept provides an expanded stage for the Virtuoso X. Flipping to the other side of the case reveals the main time display and flying tourbillon, with a 10-day power reserve indicator on the left. The main dial maintains the engraved twisted rope motifs, with movement bridges featuring hand-carved “Fleurisanne” patterns inherited from the Fleurier Valley’s 18th-century traditions. The contrasting craftsmanship on both sides creates distinctly different visual experiences, echoing the theme of time zone crossing and harmonization, demonstrating BOVET’s unique watchmaking artistry and technology.
Virtuoso XI
Transparency and visibility have always been key attractions of BOVET watches. However, the Virtuoso XI Skeletonized Flying Tourbillon Watch represents the brand’s first truly fully skeletonized timepiece. The value of a skeletonized watch lies in maximizing the mechanical structure’s visibility, with the true artistic height deriving from the artisan’s engraving skills. Whether in the movement bridges’ and skeletonized frame’s line designs or the frame’s decorative engravings, the watch showcases BOVET’s aesthetic heritage and superior craftsmanship. The “Fleurisanne” pattern unique to the Fleurier Valley further enriches the hand-engraving artistry.
The exquisite engraving technique extends beyond the movement bridges and frame to include case engraving and decoration, with a bezel set with baguette diamonds, achieving ultimate luxury and brilliance. The 3/4 bridge emphasizes the brand’s patented double-sided flying tourbillon’s transparent, rhythmic beauty. The skeletonized window at 12 o’clock reveals another patented technology: a spherical differential winding system that increases winding efficiency while effectively reducing gear torque and wear. The manual winding process is fully visible—one of the greatest pleasures of appreciating a skeletonized watch.
BOVET Spotlight Exhibition to be Held at Cortina Watch Taipei Royal Nikko Boutique from November 30 to December 15, 2024
Watch enthusiasts eager to explore BOVET’s watchmaking craftsmanship are encouraged to seize this opportunity. Interested parties should contact Cortina Watch Taipei Royal Nikko Boutique.
Exhibition Dates: November 30 (Saturday) – December 15 (Sunday), 2024
Location: Cortina Watch Taipei Royal Nikko Boutique (No. 37-1, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City)
Business Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Telephone: 02-2563-3538
