Bovet Presents 7-Day Tourbillon Only Watch 2011

To support the third Only Watch auction for Duchenne Muscular Distrophy Research, Bovet has created a one-of-a-kind timepiece. The new Bovet watch paralyzes the glance by the traditional artisan engraving decoration revealed by the dial and case-back.

The Bovet 7-day Tourbillon Only Watch 2011 demonstrates an Amadeo case. Due to the unique construction of the case, the wearer can easily “turn” the wristwatch into a table clock or a pocket watch. No tools are required. The timepiece also boasts a reversible display adapted to the brand’s tourbillons.

The heart of the timepiece is a tourbillon movement, elaborated and crafted by Dimier 1738, Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie. The ingenious reverse hand-fitting allows the watch to accurately show hours and minutes on both sides.

The hand-engraved decoration presented by the Bovet watch is worth special attention as it is rich in symbolism. It required no less than three hundred hours of meticulous work. It shows off a dragon and a phoenix inspired by the Chinese mythology. The dragon, associated to the Emperor of China, is a symbol of the supreme spiritual power and wisdom. The Chinese people believe that the dragon brings prosperity and luck, as well as rain in times of need.

The phoenix, associated to the Empress of China, represents one of the four celestial animals that are supernatural or sacred according to the ancient Chinese culture. The phoenix symbolizes immortality, achievement, success and luck. The union of the dragon and phoenix symbolizes the perfect harmony of ‘yin’ and ‘yang’.

The front dial reveals the dragon. The body of the hand-engraved animal undulates and overflows onto the watch’s bezel and the case-side. The Dimier 1738 watchmakers redesigned the dial plate to provide a smooth transition for the animal’s body, maintaining the continuity of the lines and graphic pattern overflowing from the dial to the bezel.

The front dial also demonstrates the tourbillon cage. It carries a hand-engraved flaming pearl, having substituted the traditional second hand. This is a symbol of creation, evoking wisdom and knowledge. Found in the dragon’s clutches, it turns, performing a complete revolution in 60 seconds. The power reserve indicator is represented by a disk featured through a small window at 9 o’clock.

The second dial, displaying the reverse hand-fitting, is a little smaller than the main front dial. It covers about three-quarters of the surface movement. It reveals the phoenix with its wingspan. It creates a harmonious balance with a whirlwind.

The 44mm case of the Bovet 7-day Tourbillon Only Watch 2011 is rendered in 18K red gold. It is coupled with an alligator leather strap or an 18K red gold chain.