In 2016, Bovet 1822 unveiled the Shooting Star tourbillon, the first timepiece in an exclusive collection dedicated to astronomy. The Astérium and Grand Récital tourbillons then followed in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Beyond the technical specificities of each of the three timepieces, this trilogy explores new ways of expressing time measurement. Its characteristic writing-slope shaped case is both its inspiration and support. Designed by Bovet 1822 owner, Mr. Raffy, the “writing slope” case features a bezel inclined at 6 o’clock. This ingenious idea makes diversifying the types of displays possible by using domes, rollers, discs, and three-dimensional hands to enhance intuitiveness, ergonomics, and elegance. The threedimensional design prioritizes information for better readability and brings the collector’s eye to the heart of the movement to discover the excellence found in each detail.
As seen by the numerous awards bestowed on the trilogy’s timepieces and the recent awarding of the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix to the Grand Récital by the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, collectors and experts commend the stylistic revolution led by the “writing slope” case. Mr. Raffy thus logically meets collectors’ expectations by simultaneously introducing four complications developed specifically to be housed within the “writing slope” case. Among them, the Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Récital 21.
Aside from the perpetual calendar in the remarkable Grand Récital tourbillon, this function had yet to be introduced in the Dimier Collection. The Récital 21 thus carves out a place of honor in the collection.
Each BOVET timepiece is designed to display useful readable information and to be able to adjust this information intuitively in daily wear, and the Récital 21 is no exception. The minute and hour hands are located in the center of the timepiece, providing more space in the periphery for perpetual calendar information. With the exception of the calendar, shown by a retrograde index that rotates around the hours and minutes, the discs display the days and months in vertical apertures at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock respectively, while the leap year cycle is displayed in a circular aperture at 3 o’clock. The seconds hand, offset at 9 o’clock, brings harmony to the entire design by completing the indications visible to the wearer. For improved reliability and longevity, the BOVET 1822 watchmakers developed a mechanism that slows down the indicator during its retrograde jump, a dramatic visual effect that can best be appreciated on the first day of the month.
Turning the timepiece over to the movement side, the collector will notice the patented double coaxial seconds mechanism, as well as the power reserve indicator, which, when fully wound, displays a five-day power supply. This guaranteed performance comes from a unique barrel, which is optimized by the balance spring, entirely designed and manufactured in the Bovet 1822 workshops.
The remarkable power reserve of the perpetual calendar provides the collector with unparalleled, enduring performance thanks to a single barrel, which is optimized by the balance spring, and is entirely designed and manufactured in the BOVET 1822 workshops. The frequency with which the different indications will need to be adjusted has also been drastically reduced. To further enhance the collector’s ease of use, Mr. Raffy and the Maison’s technicians have created an ingenious system that drastically reduces and streamlines adjustments to its various indications. There are dedicated correctors for the days, date, and month functions-simultaneously. So, if the collector wishes to adjust their timekeeper after it has been stopped for several days, they simply have to activate this unique corrector until the correct date is shown. Adjusting all the functions of the Récital 21 are thus fully synchronized.
Just like the hand-decorated movement, which has been executed to the most exacting standards, the dial showcases the range of the BOVET 1822 artisanal virtuosity. For the central dial and the seconds dial, they have chosen the iconic blue circular brushed finish, which has been widely embrace since its introduction in 2015. After the surface brush treatment has been carefully applied, the dial is colored and artisans then apply eight layers of lacquer. These are then polished to provide the dial’s luster and characteristic depth. Making great use of the unique volume of the “writing slope” case, the dial artisans and watchmakers have combined their efforts to make the seconds hand sweep under the hours and minutes dial, a cleverly choreographed and truly noble expression of time.
The peripheral surface of the calendar indicator is rhodium plated and the collector can choose between a circular “Côtes de Genève” motif or the “Fleurisanne” motif hand-engraved by the Maison’s artist-engravers. The Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Récital 21 is available in Titanium and red gold. Even the most demanding collectors will be awestruck by this elegant timepiece’s ease of use, as well as its complex technical components, all made according to the strictest demands of artisanal haute horlogerie, as Maison BOVET watchmakers done since 1822.
RÉCITAL 21
Perpetual Calendar with Retrograde Date
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Reference Number: R210001, 18K red gold, dial with circular « Côtes de Genève” motif
R210002, Titanium, dial with circular « Côtes de Genève” motif
R210003, 18K red gold, dial with « Fleurisanne » motif
R210004, Titanium, dial with « Fleurisanne » motif
CASE
Type: Dimier « writing desk » case
Diameter: 44.40 mm
Thickness: 15.50 mm
Material: 18K red gold or Titanium
Bracelet: Full skin alligator
Buckle: 18K red or white gold ardillon
Water resistance: 30m
MOVEMENT
Caliber: 113DM05-QPR
Type: Hand wound movement
Diameter: 13½ ’’’with 16’’’module
Frequency: 21,600V/h
Power reserve: 5 days
Functions: Hours, minutes, sub-seconds, day, retrograde date, month, leap year, power reserve indicator
GUARANTEE
5 years
PATENTS
Patented coaxial seconds
DIAL
Blue circular brushed with circular « Côtes de Genève » or hand
engraved « Fleurisanne » motif
