Bovet: Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One

Unveiled at SIHH 2019, the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One presents a host of innovations and gives a glimpse of the scope of the unprecedented possibilities for interpreting timekeeping offered by the «writing slope» case.

The middle and glass ultimately form a single element that conscientiously respects the original design of the collection’s inclined cases. The back consists of a bezel and four horns that have been machine-cut from grade 5 titanium. It goes without saying that this bezel features a sapphire glass that opens generously onto the back of a movement and reveals a wealth of secrets. In order to optimize transparency and ergonomics, BOVET 1822’s watchmakers decided to fasten the movement in the back rather than inside the middle as is usually the case.

The hand wound movement is regulated by the patented double face flying tourbillon with a variable inertia balance. This new caliber draws its energy from a single barrel that guarantees 10 days’ power reserve despite numerous animated complications. The solution to the problem caused by the winding time is provided by the doubly patented spherical differential winding system that halves the number of turns of the crown required to wind the timepiece completely.

The Brainstorm displays the hours and minutes offset at 12 o’clock. As it is the highest section under the case’s pronounced dome, the watchmakers have produced a special high hand- fitting. An index screwed onto the carriage wheel along with two of the carriage bridge’s arms follow one another 120° apart, crossing the graduated seconds sector in a main dial milling. To accentuate the transparency of the case, the power reserve is displayed via a printed cam that shows the energy available through a «crescent-shaped» indicator placed at 4 o’clock. Positioned at 8 o’clock, a big date almost mysteriously appears in a circular aperture. At 12 o’clock, nestled in the volume of the hours and minutes dial, arises a three-dimensional moon phase. For heightened realism, the lunar dome’s surface is engraved, and the lower sections filled with Superluminova. The sky is represented by two circular aventurine glass plates.

Collectors may choose between two types of dials. One is a pronounced blue quartz dome whose transparency allows the collector’s eye to roam unencumbered over the movement’s different layers. In the second dial offered, the beholder will discover transparency in the space between each of the blades of the concave helix. This dial has been machined from an aluminum block before being decorated by hands. If so desired, the dial may be decorated with a hand-crafted engraving. Several dial colors will be offered for the collector to choose from. They will also be able to customize their timepiece by selecting a specific helix shape.

Through the case back is possible to admire the movement and its stepped architecture whose succession of inclined planes carries all the movement’s mobiles and components. This exclusive choice offers numerous advantages from many angles. It makes possible to optimally fill the volume of the middle’s V-shaped profile for enhanced ergonomics, legibility and aesthetic. Each indication hinges on an axis perpendicular to the bezel’s inclined plane, offering the best legibility from the most natural angle and positioning on the wrist.

This specific construction created a set of difficulties for all the artisans. Micro-engineers, decorators and watchmakers together succeeded in meeting the many challenges presented by the Récital 26. Mr. Raffy paid them homage by christening this new watchmaking feat Brainstorm, which evokes both the solutions found collectively and the stroke of genius required to resolve the many unique situations in a project that has become a reality.

The Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One is presented as a limited edition of only sixty pieces and is available at the price of CHF 295.000 + tax.