Text by Takeshi Matsuyama

A rare collection that captivates watch enthusiasts

This maison, which has been creating highly artistic watches since its founding, was founded in Fleurier, Switzerland in 1822 by Edouard Bovet.

Edouard was born in Fleurier, the son of a watchmaker, but travelled to England to learn the latest techniques and continue his training in watchmaking.

During that time, Britain produced and actively exported a type of clock known as the Chinese Duplex to China during the Qing Dynasty.

These watches were highly decorative, featuring vibrantly colored enamel paintings and freshwater pearls, and were apparently popular among Chinese people such as the Qing Dynasty emperors, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants.

Some commissioned portraits of themselves or their wives, but many are known for their mother-and-child portraits and floral compositions, and there are many collectors of them.

The movements also featured elaborate engravings, and many art pieces were created, including those with a shiny mirror finish.

In 1818, after studying in England, he traveled to China in search of business opportunities, where he sold decorative clocks, popular among the Chinese, in pairs, which were also popular among the Chinese, and was well received.

I once had the opportunity to hold and see some Bovet watches from that era in the collection of my close friend, Hong Kong watchmaker Qiao Da-ba, and I was amazed at how beautiful and intricately crafted they were.

Edouard Bovet eventually established his own watchmaking base in Fleurier, Switzerland, and has since produced numerous masterpieces.

Times changed, the Qing Dynasty came to an end with the revolution, and the production of Chinese Duplex also came to an end.

Efforts to preserve the craftsmanship and uniqueness of the legendary brand Bovet

Bovet continued to manufacture modern watches such as chronographs and calendar wristwatches into the 20th century, but was affected by the Great Depression and World War II and temporarily ceased operations before those times came.

However, this maison with a glorious history was eventually revived by watch enthusiasts in the second half of the 20th century, and since 2001, under the current owner, Pascal Raffy, it has once again begun to enjoy its glory.

The unique case design, featuring a pendant bow that guards the crown and follows the style of the pocket watch era, characterizes the brand's watches and is a style that makes them instantly recognizable as Bovet.

Recently, the production of models with complex mechanisms has become popular, and they have many fans.

Bovet has great manufacturing potential by acquiring companies such as Dimier 1738 to produce movements and dials in-house in order to have a unique manufacturing style, but I hear that they limit annual production to 1000 pieces and are committed to meticulous craftsmanship.

The company specializes in creating watches with precise expressions, such as tourbillons, complex calendar mechanisms, and models with moon phase mechanisms that show the phases of the moon in three dimensions.

Also popular are limited-edition collaboration models with Pininfarina, known for its carrozzeria.

This watch is a limited edition of just 30 pieces, which would be a source of pride for anyone who desires and owns one.

This year's new releases include a world timer with an ingenious system, showing the company's enthusiasm for evolving the practical aspects of watches as a tool.

I think Bovet is a brand that is beautiful, highly practical, and brings joy to those who own it.

What is "Takeshi Matsuyama: What connects people and time"?

A series in which Takeshi Matsuyama, a pioneering Japanese watch journalist, introduces the stories behind watches, people, and brands that he is drawn to from his own unique perspective.

Author profile

Japanese lyricist, writer, and editor. Born in Kyoto in 1946. In 1968, he wrote "Yopparai Returns" with his friends Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama of The Folk Crusaders, which became a million-seller. In the 1970s, he was involved in the launch of magazines such as "Popeye" and "Brutus" published by Heibonsha (now Magazine House). Since the 70s, he has been fascinated by the world of mechanical watches, and has been promoting the appeal of watches. His many books include "Porridge of Wisdom and Tea of ​​Thought," "Great Japan Doraku Travelogue," and the play series "Chaai" and "Ororoji."