Swiss luxury watchmaker Bovet 1822 has presented two new timepieces – the Virtuoso VIII and the Récital 20 Astérium – which the company launched in January 2017, at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition.
“As usual, we always bring the novelties that we introduce to the market. In January 2017, we launched our new tourbillons … Bovet has always a very high standard in terms of finishing but here we raised the bar again,” said sales director Kurt Hefti.
The Virtuoso VIII represents the very essence of the Fleurier Grandes Complications collection. The Virtuoso VIII is, however, the first timepiece in the Fleurier Collection to reprise an inclined crystal aperture along the 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock axis, like the innovative case of the Récital 18 Shooting Star presented in 2016 and that of this year’s Récital 20 Astérium.
The movement of this new ambassador for the collection also features a number of significant innovations, as well as three of the patents pioneered by the Braveheart Tourbillon, which was initially presented in 2015.
The Récital 20 Astérium seamlessly continues the tradition set by its illustrious predecessor, reprising the characteristic shaped case to present an unprecedented mechanical display that showcases the volumes and decoration of the timepiece.
Only 60 Astérium movements will be manufactured across all versions, including requests for unique pieces.
Collectors can choose from red gold, white gold or platinum cases, which can be customised by the manufacture’s artisans in a tradition that has distinguished Bovet 1822 for 195 years.
Asked about Bovet’s presence in Qatar, Hefti said: “We are working with Blue Salon and have been for more than two years. It is absolutely a wonderful relationship; they’ve done an excellent job for us, and it is a great pleasure working for them.”
Bovet sales director Kurt Hefti. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
