19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition Details

Reading Time: 7 minutes

The horological landscape has witnessed countless timepieces emerge and fade, yet few collections capture the essence of a pivotal moment in watchmaking history with such precision and reverence as BOVET’s 19Thirty series. As this distinguished collection reaches its tenth anniversary, the Swiss manufacture presents a special edition that encapsulates both the spirit of innovation and the profound respect for traditional craftsmanship that has defined the House of BOVET since 1822.

The 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition represents a confluence of historical significance and contemporary design philosophy, embodying the transition from pocket timepieces to wristwatches whilst maintaining the aesthetic codes that have made BOVET synonymous with horological excellence. This commemorative release stands as a refined interpretation of the collection’s foundational principles, offering three distinct variations that appeal to a new generation of collectors whilst honouring the manufacture’s rich heritage.

Ten Years of the 19Thirty Collection: Genesis and Evolution
Introducing the 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition
Preserving Traditional Watchmaking Excellence
19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition Technical Specifications

Ten Years of the 19Thirty Collection: Genesis and Evolution

The Historical Context

The genesis of the 19Thirty collection finds its roots in one of the most transformative periods in horological history. The 1930s marked a revolutionary transition when pocket timepieces migrated to the wrist, fundamentally altering the relationship between timekeeper and wearer. This transformation, though appearing natural from contemporary perspective, constituted a genuine revolution that demanded new approaches to ergonomics, precision, and functionality.

BOVET, renowned for its exquisite pocket watches throughout the 19th century, found itself at the forefront of this transition. The manufacture’s expertise in creating highly decorated pocket timepieces positioned it uniquely to understand and interpret the nuances of this evolutionary moment. The original inspiration for the collection stems from a specific timepiece in owner Pascal Raffy’s private collection: the “easel” chronometer, representing one of the final pocket watches manufactured by BOVET before wristwatches achieved widespread acceptance.

19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition

The 2015 Launch

The 19Thirty collection made its debut in June 2015, presented exclusively in stainless steel. This initial offering represented a significant departure for BOVET, marking the House’s first steel timepiece whilst maintaining the sophisticated finishing and complications characteristic of their grandes complications. The collection’s immediate success stemmed from the specially developed movement and the exceptional quality of execution that met the same criteria applied to BOVET’s most complex timepieces.

The original collection offered collectors a choice between two distinct case configurations: the iconic Fleurier case with its distinctive bow and crown positioned at 12 o’clock, and the more conventional DIMIER case featuring four horns. This dual approach acknowledged the diverse preferences within the collecting community whilst maintaining BOVET‘s signature aesthetic language.

19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition

Expansion and Recognition

Following the enthusiastic reception from collectors, BOVET expanded the 19Thirty collection to include red gold variants in 2016. These iterations featured noble sunray guilloché decoration on the dials, available in black, blue, and brown colorations. The collection’s versatility extended to offering three types of numerals – Arabic, Chinese, and Roman – providing numerous combinations that reflected BOVET’s historical prominence in the Chinese market during the early 20th century.

The success of the 19Thirty collection validated BOVET‘s approach to creating an accessible entry point into the manufacture’s universe without compromising on quality or craftsmanship. With an initial retail price of $19,300, the collection represented the first opportunity for a broader audience to experience BOVET’s horological expertise.

19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition

Introducing the 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition

Minimalist Sophistication

The 10th Anniversary Special Edition represents a significant aesthetic evolution from the original 19Thirty’s five-part dial configuration. Where earlier iterations featured an elegant inverted figure-eight display with hours in the larger counter intersected by small seconds at 6 o’clock, the anniversary edition adopts a markedly minimalist approach. This design philosophy emerged from collaborative brainstorming sessions conducted throughout the manufacture, where artisans with an average age of 35 contributed their contemporary perspective to the classical framework.

The new dial arrangement maintains the essential time display functions whilst presenting them in a cleaner, contemporary format. Three distinct lacquer variations define the anniversary collection: blue lacquer, green “in the dusk” lacquer, and black with glitter “Queen of Trees” lacquer. Each finish demonstrates BOVET‘s mastery of dial manufacturing, as the House produces all dial components in-house at their Tramelan facility. The lacquering process requires exceptional skill and precision, with each dial undergoing multiple applications to achieve the desired depth and luminosity.

The typography and indices preserve the collection’s classical heritage whilst integrating seamlessly with the simplified layout. The hands, manufactured in-house, maintain the elegant proportions that characterise BOVET timepieces, ensuring optimal legibility across all three dial variations.

The Calibre 15BM04

The heart of the 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition beats with the calibre 15BM04, a movement entirely developed and manufactured at BOVET’s DIMIER facility in Tramelan. This manual-winding calibre represents a masterpiece of symmetrical design, embodying the same rigorous standards applied to BOVET‘s most complex complications.

The movement architecture reflects classical pocket watch proportions, utilising a generous 15¾ ligne diameter (35.53mm) that fills the available case space optimally. This substantial size enables the calibre to accommodate an impressive seven-day power reserve from a single barrel containing an extra-long mainspring. The achievement of such extended autonomy through a single barrel demonstrates exceptional engineering prowess, requiring precise calculations of spring tension, gear ratios, and escapement efficiency.

The calibre 15BM04 operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), providing a measured balance between precision and power consumption. This frequency represents a deliberate choice that optimises the movement’s performance characteristics whilst maintaining the extended power reserve. The movement comprises 179 individual components, including 35 jewels strategically positioned to reduce friction and ensure long-term reliability.

The regulating organ features BOVET‘s in-house manufactured hairspring, positioning the House among fewer than ten manufacturers worldwide capable of producing this critical component. The hairspring production process begins with a steel alloy thread measuring 0.6mm in diameter, subsequently reduced through multiple drawing operations to achieve the final thickness of 0.06-0.08mm. This manufacturing capability enables BOVET’s watchmakers to tailor-weight the balance wheel for optimal performance with each specific hairspring.

The calibre 15BM04 receives finishing treatment commensurate with BOVET‘s highest complications. The mainplate features circular perlage decoration, patiently applied by hand to create the characteristic rippled texture visible through the movement’s apertures. The bridges display Côtes de Genève stripes that radiate symmetrically from the central gear train bridge, demonstrating the decorators’ exceptional skill in maintaining consistent angles and depth.

Blued screws punctuate the movement’s surfaces, each requiring individual heat treatment to achieve the distinctive deep blue coloration. This traditional technique demands precise temperature control, as excessive heat destroys the desired colour whilst insufficient temperature fails to produce the characteristic hue. The screw heads receive polished bevels that catch and reflect light, contributing to the movement’s visual appeal.

The movement’s architecture incorporates strategic openings that reveal the decorated components whilst maintaining structural integrity. The symmetrical layout places the balance cock and centre wheel cock in perfect alignment, visible through carefully positioned apertures in the dial. This arrangement exemplifies BOVET‘s commitment to both technical excellence and aesthetic harmony.

The Fleurier Heritage

The 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition employs BOVET‘s signature Fleurier case, a design that preserves aesthetic codes originally conceived for pocket watches over four centuries ago. This case configuration represents the only contemporary application of such historical design principles, making BOVET unique within the horological industry. The case measures 42mm in diameter with a remarkably slim profile of 9.05mm, achieving exceptional ergonomics despite the substantial movement within.

The Fleurier case distinguishes itself through the distinctive bow and crown arrangement positioned at 12 o’clock. This configuration directly references the attachment points of traditional pocket watches, creating an immediate visual connection to horological heritage. The bow mechanism incorporates articulation that allows it to sit flush against the wrist, demonstrating BOVET‘s attention to ergonomic considerations.

The anniversary edition case employs polished stainless steel throughout, receiving mirror finishing that showcases BOVET‘s mastery of traditional case-making techniques. The polishing process requires exceptional skill, as stainless steel’s hardness demands specific abrasives and techniques to achieve the desired lustre without creating distortions. The case flanks feature carefully executed curves that provide comfortable contact with the wrist whilst maintaining the classical proportions.

The crown receives particular attention, featuring an onion-shaped profile with hand-engraved gadroons. A sapphire cabochon adorns the crown’s summit, adding a refined detail that elevates the overall aesthetic. The crown’s functionality encompasses both winding and time-setting operations, with clearly defined positions that provide tactile feedback during adjustment.

The dial protection utilises a domed sapphire crystal that provides optimal visibility whilst maintaining classical proportions. The crystal’s curvature enhances the dial’s visual depth and creates interesting light reflections that vary with viewing angle. An exhibition caseback, crafted from sapphire crystal, reveals the decorated movement and allows appreciation of the finishing details. This transparent caseback continues BOVET‘s historical tradition of pioneering exhibition case construction, a feature the House introduced in the 19th century.

Preserving Traditional Watchmaking Excellence

The BOVET 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition represents far beyond a simple commemorative release; it embodies the fundamental principles that sustain traditional Swiss watchmaking. In an era dominated by industrial production and digital integration, this collection demonstrates that handcrafted excellence remains both relevant and desirable. The anniversary edition’s success lies in its ability to bridge generational perspectives, incorporating contemporary design sensibilities whilst maintaining unwavering respect for classical horological principles.

The significance of the 19Thirty collection extends beyond its individual components to encompass a philosophy of preservation and evolution. By maintaining production at the Tramelan facility where over 95% of components are manufactured in-house, BOVET ensures the continuation of traditional manufacturing techniques that might otherwise disappear. The final assembly and testing conducted at the historic Château de Môtiers creates a direct connection between contemporary production and the House’s 200-year heritage.

Traditional watchmaking’s survival depends upon manufacturers like BOVET who refuse to compromise quality for efficiency or authenticity for accessibility. The 19Thirty collection demonstrates that traditional techniques – hand-finishing, in-house hairspring production, artisanal dial creation – remain viable approaches to horological excellence. Each timepiece represents countless hours of skilled craftsmanship, from the engraver’s careful work to the dial decorator’s precise application of lacquer.

The 10th Anniversary Special Edition stands as evidence that traditional watchmaking continues to evolve whilst preserving its essential character. By engaging younger artisans in the creative process, BOVET ensures that classical techniques remain dynamic rather than becoming museum pieces. This approach guarantees the continuation of horological traditions whilst allowing for contemporary interpretation and innovation.

The 19Thirty collection’s decade of success validates the enduring appeal of authentic craftsmanship in an increasingly automated world. As mechanical timepieces face technological challenges, collections like the 19Thirty demonstrate that traditional watchmaking offers values – permanence, beauty, heritage – that cannot be replicated through industrial processes. The anniversary edition’s minimalist aesthetic proves that classical watchmaking can adapt to contemporary tastes without abandoning fundamental principles.

Through the 19Thirty 10th Anniversary Special Edition, BOVET reaffirms its commitment to preserving the artisanal traditions that define Swiss haute horlogerie. This collection ensures that future generations will inherit not solely timepieces, but the accumulated knowledge, skill, and dedication of centuries of master craftsmen. In maintaining these traditions, BOVET contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage that extends far beyond horology to encompass the very essence of human creativity and excellence.