BOVET 1822 celebrates two centuries of decorative arts and excellence
For almost two centuries, the Maison BOVET has been taking the watchmaking’s decorative arts to new heights while continuing to delight collectors and art lovers with the virtuosity of its artisans. Mr. Raffy, Maison BOVET 1822’s owner, is once again demonstrating his dedication to keeping alive the tradition of decorative arts and the finest expression of time.
As a way of keeping the same working methods, the same techniques and the same rigor as his illustrious predecessors, Mr. Raffy and the House of BOVET partnered with Mr. Ilgiz Fazulzyanov, an artistic expert in Grand Feu enamel and one of the most prominent jewelry designers of his generation, to present an exclusive collection of timepieces.
The poppies in this unique composition form a bouquet illuminated by no fewer than 138 diamonds that offer them enchanting reflections and contrasts. This exceptional work is housed in the 39-mm-diameter Fleurier Amadeo case. It took the Maison BOVET seven years to develop this ingenious patented system that allows anyone — in simple steps, without any tools — to convert their timepiece into a table clock or, respectively, a pocket watch for the gentlemen’s designs and a pendant for the women’s models.
More about history
At the dawn of the 19th century, Edouard Bovet raised the prestige of Swiss watchmaking, taking the decorative arts — particularly miniature enamels — to the pinnacle of expertise. In line with the rules and traditions of the time, he employed the best watchmakers in Val-deTravers and entrusted the decoration of the case to enamelers established along Geneva’s Bâtiment des Forces Motrices plant. Even to this day, the greatest artists of this golden age contribute the renown of BOVET 1822’s timepieces.
The exclusive collection of unique pieces offered by BOVET 1822 and Ilgiz F. will therefore come as no surprise to 19th-century watchmaking specialists and collectors as it is a direct descendant of the historic pocket watches manufactured by the BOVET brothers. With this additional difficulty: the diameters of today’s timepieces are smaller than the pocket watches of the 19th century.
The latter, Ilgiz Fazulzyanov is recognized by specialists as the heir of the most illustrious enamelers of all time, such as Lissignol, Richter, Liotard and even Huaut. Many of the artists on this non-exhaustive list who built the reputation of Geneva enamels additionally worked with Maison BOVET in the 19th century. This reputation was also honored by a recent joint exhibition in the prestigious Moscow Kremlin Museum.
AMADEO® FLEURIER 39 “POPPIES” GRAND FEU ENAMEL
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
References Numbers: AF39809-SD123, 18K white gold, motif « poppies ». Diamonds
AF39809, 18K white gold, motif « Poppies »
CASE
Type: Amadéo® convertible system
Diameter: 39 mm
Material: 18K white or red gold
Setting: Ref. AF39809-SD123: bow, bezel and lugs set with 94 round-cut diamonds (~2.11ct). Crown and strap-bolt set with 5 briolette diamonds (~0.49 ct). Dial set with 161 diamonds (~1.305ct) Ref. AF39809: Crown and strap-bolt set with 5 cabochons (~0.49 ct) Dial set with 138 diamonds (~0.79ct) Bracelet: Full skin alligator
Buckle: 18K white or red gold ardillon
Chain: Rhodium-plated silver or gold-plated
Water resistance: 30m
MOVEMENT
Caliber: 11BA13
Type: Self-winding mechanical
Diameter: 11 ½ ’’’
Frequency: 28,000 V/h
Power reserve: 72 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes
DIAL: Grand Feu Enamel, motif “poppies”, set with diamonds
PATENT: Amadeo®convertiblecase
PRICE: CHF. 130’500.- AF39809-SD123
CHF. 117’000.- AF39809
ABOUT ILGIZ FAZULZYANOV
Ilgiz F. was born in Kazan, graduated from Kazan’s Feshin Art School and continued to master the art of jewellery on his own. In 1994, Ilgiz F. discovered the art of stone enamelling and in a matter of several months he mastered this technique to such an extent that his new works brought to France drew the highest praise from the experts, while the Madame Figaro magazine published an article about Ilgiz titled “The champion of enamel”. From this moment on, the stoving enamel became his trademark and favourite technique.
In 1999, Ilgiz F.and his jewellery workshop moved to Moscow and this marked a new phase in his work and a growing international recognition. Ilgiz F. began to receive clients and collectors from all over the world. In 2008, he became the first living jeweller whose work was sold at the Christie’s jewellery auctions. Several years later the venerable British auction house was joined by New York auction house Bonham’s, which also began selling Ilgiz’s work. In 2011, the “Bullfinches” pendant won Ilgiz F. the main prize of the International Jewellery Design Excellence Award in Hong Kong. The pendant resembles a beam of a street lamp illuminating a branch with three birds that came to symbolize the Russian winter. In 2013, Ilgiz F. confirmed his “Champion of the Champions” title with the “Butterflies” set that conveys the state of nature at the moment of the solar eclipse. In this set the master jeweller used faceted black pearls. Today Ilgiz F. is the only jeweller in the world that holds two top awards of this competition. In 2014, Ilgiz F. received the top prize at the competition organized by Russia’s State Precious Metals and Gems Repository for his “Crows” pendant. The Kremlin Museum bought another six pieces for its own collection. The works of Ilgiz F. can be found in museums worldwide.
