Bovet: Amadeo Concept and Manufacture Overview

KIH · 2011-04-17T02:28:59Z

Explore Bovet's unique Amadeo concept, collection lines, and manufacturing at Le Château de Môtiers. Uncover why this distinctive brand is often overlooked.

KIH

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

10 replies3560 views95 photos

KIH’s exploration of Bovet, a brand often overlooked in discussions, provides a crucial overview of its distinct identity and manufacturing philosophy. This article delves into Bovet's unique 'three-way conversion' Amadeo concept, its collection lines, and the historical significance of its manufacture at Le Château de Môtiers. KIH's detailed presentation serves as an invaluable resource for understanding Bovet's place in haute horlogerie.

Hi all,

Bovet is one of the least discussed brand here. What do we know or we do not know about this brand? There was a collection presentation at The Hour Glass Japan and here are the photos and some details of the brand and its line-up.

Hope you don't mind a bit long post.

1. Line-up
There are roughly three (3) lines in Bovet collection:
- Amadeo Concept that includes Fleurier, Complications, Grandes Complications, Bovet by Pininfarina
- Collection Sportster
- Collection Dimier

Amadeo is the mainstream of Bovet in that they can take three forms - wrist watch, table clock, and pocket watch. Note that Amadeo is the name of his son - and also note that the advertisement of Bovet in which father and son are depicted are actually the owner Mr. Pascal Raffy and his son Amadeo Raffy.

Fleurier - sounds familiar? Yes, Bovet is one of the founding members of the "Qualite Fleurier Certification" together with Chopard, Parmigiani, and Vaucher.

Dimier - the name of the factory. This collection is for high complication and focus on mechanical achievement rather than traditional "three way" Bovet style.

Sportster - the most popular one, in terms of the number of the unit sold. Mostly SS.

2. How does this "three way conversion" works?
Here is the video how it is converted. Pretty easy and simple. I am impressed.

3. Bover, the manufacture.
(Excerpts from "Tribune des Arts"): The Head Quarter of Bovet, "Le Chateau de Motiers" was originally built in the early 14th century by Rodolphe IV, Count of Neuchatel, and was successively occupied down through the centuries by the lords of the valley. In 1835, the State sold it to Henri-Francois Du Bois-BOVET, and the descendants of the Bovet family in turn donated it to the Canton of Neuchatel in 1957.... In 2006, the Neuchatel state authorities were looking to sell this castle of which the upkeep was proving too expensive. Mr. Pascal Raffy was the only potential buyer in a position not only to purchase it, but above all to ensure the long-term preservation of this unique heritage site so fondly cherished by the people of the canton..... thus the brand Bovet could return to its birthplace.

Le Chateau de Motiers.

Inside the castle.

Bovet has roughly 250 people and capacity to produce for 1000 to 2000 pieces a year.

4. Collections

- Collection Sportster (as mentioned above, the model on the panel are Mr. Pascal Raffy and his son Amadeo)

- Amadeo Fleurier

MOP dial

Black (cold ) Enamel dial

White (cold) Enamel dial

- Amadeo Complications

- Amadeo Grandes Complications

- Collection Dimier

- Bovet by Pininfarina
(Black and Red are Bovet color)

The right hand side is 2010 model "Ottanta" and on the left is 2011 model "Chronograph Cambiano".
Bovet and Pininfarina has 15 years of contract in which Pininfarina provides one model every year - 13 more models to go!

Back of Ottanta - has another hour hand. The small rotor is on the right side.

Back of Chronograph Cambiano

80 years of Pininfarina history in Italian. Pininfarina was founded in 1930 - this 2010 model is its 80th anniversary design. It is so 80th that even the tourbillon rotates in 80 seconds.

5. My favorites
No. 1 - Fleurier 39 (39mm, enamel dial)
Very simple design and wearable size for my smallish wrist.

Double barrel 72 hours power reserve.

Well-thought design: the hinge is ceramic and 10,000 times open/close durability.

Black enamel is irresistible...

No. 2 - Reversible 7 day Tourbillon 44mm
- the back displays the same time as the front. But think about it, the hands rotates "clock-wise" on both sides... it is NOT an easy mechanism.

Meteorite dial on the front.

And the back displays the same time.

6. Appendix - dedication..?
A director of Bovet Japan was wearing this.... (made in Japan, though... not official

Hope you enjoyed the collection and discovered something you didn't know about Bovet.

Ken

This message has been edited by KIH on 2011-04-17 03:35:49

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'pocket watch look' and 'squiggly hands' of some Bovet models, particularly the Fleurier line, are not universally appealing, which might contribute to the brand's lower visibility and sales.
Bovet's Amadeo concept, allowing watches to convert between wrist, table, and pocket forms, is a highly innovative and impressive feature.
The scale at the bottom of the dial on certain Bovet tourbillon models, with twenty strokes, indicates a 20-second sub-dial, where each triple-spoke hand covers a 20-second interval.
Bovet employs a mixed approach to movement manufacturing, with some calibers being in-house and others outsourced to third parties using ETA derivatives.
Bovet's distinctive style is characterized by opulence without being baroque, appealing to those who appreciate unique aesthetics.

The Discussion

E.S

Apr 17, 2011

I also don't know much about Bovet, So they manufacture all calibres in house? Thanks again Best, Es

KIH

Apr 17, 2011

.. I asked and found out that at least some are outsourced to ETA derivative third parties and some are in-house. Ken

Dr No

Apr 17, 2011

. . . and you're right - Bovet has been only slightly visible in the past, and deserving of wider exposure. I'd like to ask about this model . . . . . . because the purpose of the scale at the bottom of the dial with twenty strokes is not entirely clear. My guess is that it's a torque gauge, but the indicator isn't visible. The red triple-spoked hands mounted on the tourbillon indicate the passage of seconds, which rules that out as the indicator. Mystified, Art

KIH

Apr 17, 2011

... it is the second index, meaning that the triple-spoke hand each is in charge of 20 seconds and the indicator/ index means 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 or 0. That can be the only explanation. What do you think? Ken

Dr No

Apr 17, 2011

. . . explanation didn't occur to me because it's such an odd scale for seconds discrimination. Enlightened, Art

foversta

Apr 17, 2011

Bovet is a brand I used to follow several years ago and I lost a bit their tracks. Your post gave me the urge to see some of the current collection "in the metal". Thanks Ken ! Fx

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