Review Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One

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Groundbreaking technologies with respect for traditional Haute Horlogerie, daring architecture and exceptional finishes – just a few words to describe the watches manufactured by Bovet 1822. To cement their performance, various publications and institutions have awarded the brand for its remarkable achievements. A good example of the work done at Château de Môtiers is the Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One, on which we have a look today.

Bovet 1822 can be described as a high-end watch manufacturer with an impressive research and development department, a strong brand language and a powerful heritage. The passion and quest of excellence of Mr Raffy brought the Maison on an unprecedented edge of excellency. Regardless if destined for ladies or gents, the Bovet timepieces make a statement for originality, quality and exceptional craftsmanship.

Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One

Bovet‘s expertise in working with difficult materials and shape leads to the creation of dynamic and impressive pieces. Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One is one of those extraordinary pieces.

Clear as a Swiss mountain lake – sapphire case

Manufactured in a sapphire case, the Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One charms with its open construction. Not only that nothing is hidden, but various elements are also highlighted by the ingenious construction.

The 48mm sapphire case has the sloped Dimier shape (writing desk) that confers an exquisite look but also increased legibility.

The case uses a titanium case back as a base for the watch’s construction. The short lugs, also manufactured in titanium, with a mirror-polished finish, are short and inward bent with a dramatical effect. The construction permits a comfortable wristwear. The watch wears much smaller than expected.

Lots of details and overwhelming beauty

The dial of the Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One has a three-dimensional open-work construction. Despite the fact there is no reference plane and the functions are off-set, the watch has an unexpected symmetry. The watch face is kept busy with function and decorations.

On the lower side of the dial, the viewer is entertained by a superb tourbillon. Not only the construction is ample, theatrical but also the decorations play an important role in this 60 seconds tourbillon spectacle.

The date complication is a pleasing combination of materials. Under a circular aperture, we can observe the ingenious way of displaying: using the bridge as a solid background, the numerals on the sapphire disc are well visible on the desired spot. In this way, the view of the movement’s depths is less obstructed by the disc.

The ten days power reserve is symmetrical with the date indication. The technical solution is straight forward and good looking.

The top of the dial finds the hemispherical moon phase indicator. Bovet opted for a “negative” image for the moon: aventurine moon on a luminescent treated background. The low light view is magnificent. The same style was used for the ladies’ Récital 23 Moon phase (check that review for a UV-light shot).

The time is displayed off-centric. A subdial is constructed using a black aluminium propeller shape. The unusual shape with raised central cone ends with gold hands, slightly bent. The hands’ tip was decorated with SuperLuminova for good low light visibility.

A modern approach – Calibre 17DM04-SMP

Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One is powered by a visually engaging movement, the 17DM04-SMP. The calibre is also visible on the top side, due to the openwork dial construction and also on the sides due to sapphire case.

Due to its set of functions (complications), the movement’s construction seems to be chaotic. Bovet decided for a minimalistic, strict functional design. Using a more “traditional” approach of the main plate and bridges will seize the aired and clean view.

The backside reviews the complex construction of the tourbillon, the large barrel with 10-days power reserve regulated by a slow 2.5Hz escapement. Some black bridges follow the time black dial’s theme. The finishing is kept simple with matt surfaces and polished beveling. The blues screws are adding a colourful note, creating a lovely contrast to the total of fours colours: gold-blue, black-silver.

Endnotes

Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter One is part of a rare breed: only 60 movements will be produced. The numbers’ exclusivity is overtaken only by the watches’ refinement.

The watch offers an alluring wrist presence. It wears smaller and it is comfortable. The watch feels quite light on the wrist. The legibility is good but the eye needs to be trained not to be distracted by the surrounding beauty, only in case you would like that – otherwise, you will be finding yourself always immersed in the watch’s beauty.

Bovet demonstrated again that is capable of great things.