The BOVET Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon – Paint the Dragon, Dot the Eyes

The Chinese idiom, “Paint the Dragon, Dot the Eyes” (畫龍點睛) refers to striving to achieve perfection. With the Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon, BOVET’s artisans have worked their hardest to realize this artistic sculpture within an established masterpiece of high horology.

The Golden Dragon

The golden or yellow dragon is central to Chinese mythology and symbolizes power, nobleness, honour, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture. Some also believe this dragon can control time — which is perfect for this timepiece, one offering time in all 24 time zones around the world. Since it’s the most revered dragon, ancient people often used this dragon as a symbol of the Chinese nation and the Emperor. People also associate the dragon with attributes like warmth, wisdom, and wealth.

The dragon is the fifth animal in the zodiac cycle and is considered China’s most important cultural icon. Seen as possessing magical powers, the Chinese dragon is much more benevolent than the fire-breathing monsters of Western culture. Wise and powerful, the dragon symbolizes courage, confidence, and adventurousness, while also being seen to represent success and ambition. Consequently, people born in the Year of the Dragon are thought to possess many of these traits. Famous people born under this zodiac sign include founding member of the Beatles John Lennon, Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jr., Pele, Chuck Norris, Andy Warhol, Deng Xiao Ping, Keanu Reeves, and Maya Angelou, to name a few.

Displaying the Dragon

For BOVET, integrating the solid 18K gold dragon into the award-winning Recital 26 Chapter Two was a challenge –while the Writing Desk case provides plenty of volume, the placement of the dragon was limited to the available space between the complications — the Hour and Minute domed Dial, the World Time Hemispheric Dial with indexable city indicator, the Mother-of-Pearl Moon Phase, and, of course, the patented tourbillon

First, the space the dragon could occupy was delineated by BOVET’s Technical Office, then a sculptor was commissioned to create the head and body of the solid gold dragon. Once the sculpture is cast, it then goes to the BOVET in-house hand-engravers to add the details — eyes, scales, claws, whiskers, and more — which takes between 40 and 50 hours. Then, the fiery-red ruby is set into the eye, and the complete sculpture is assembled within and around the movement.

The result is a work of timepiece art housing a true hand-engraved sculpture.

“For me, the Dragon is the most amazing symbol, representing wisdom, power, kindness, hope, and a bright future,” says Mr. Pascal Raffy, the owner of BOVET 1822. “The Writing Desk case of the Recital 26 Chapter Two is the perfect exhibition space for the hand-engraved Golden Dragon sculpture, as well as our high watchmaking expertise. With this timepiece, we celebrate 2024 as the Year of the Dragon.”

There Be Dragons

Dragons are legends in so many civilizations, it’s hard to believe that they never really existed. The word “dragon” comes from the Greek drákōn, which means “serpent” or “water-snake” — and, in fact, the earliest mythological dragons resemble snakes more than they do the monsters of Game of Thrones.

The dragon’s spiritual significance can be traced back to the Neolithic Age more than 5,000 years ago. China became more united during the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi (2717–2599 BC). Known as the Yellow Emperor, he united many of China’s original tribes, combining elements of their symbolism into one new totem – the Dragon. This marked the start of the unification of Chinese civilization, which is why Chinese people refer to themselves as “Descendants of the Dragon.”

The year of the Dragon starts on February 10th, 2024 and ends on January 28th, 2025. Those born in a Year of the Dragon are considered destined for good fortune and greatness.

The Chinese horoscope predicts that the Year of the Dragon in 2024 will bring luck, wealth, and power, with strong leadership skills and attractive personalities, making it a great time for new starts and long-term success. In addition, all 12 Chinese zodiac signs will experience both opportunities and challenges, as the dragon brings change and adaptability in the wood element, as well as growth and renewal, and the need for forgiveness and peaceful resolutions.

The Recital 26 Chapter Two Movement

The Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter Two in a full sapphire crystal case was first introduced and received the Mechanical Exception Award in 2020 from the GPHG, the watchmaking Oscars, and features Bovet’s patented double-sided flying tourbillon, an indexable second-time zone indicator with a twenty-four-city disc, a moon phase, and offers a full 5 days of power reserve. The 18K red gold version was introduced in 2022.

The calibre developed for the Brainstorm Chapter Two is entirely manufactured in the BOVET 1822 workshops. Perfect for a multi-time zone timepiece, BOVET’s control of the energy guarantees five days of power reserve with only a single barrel, with a frequency of 21,600 v/h for spectacular chronometry.

A domed blue quartz dial displays the hours and minutes of local time in the upper part of the case. The dome located at 3 o’clock displays a second time zone specifically developed for this timepiece and patented by the House. The names of the cities representing the 24 time zones are printed on the dome which makes a complete revolution in 24 hours. A three-dimensional V-shaped hand allows the collector to select the displayed time zone. In addition to a second time zone, this new indication also offers the world time function, which allows the time in each of the 24 time zones to be read simultaneously.

The dome of the second time zone rotates by a patented mechanism called the Radial Guidance System. Three rollers, in rubies adjustable by a micrometric screw, are arranged on the circumference. They ensure centring and the rotation minimizes friction and increases the chronometry and the power reserve of the timepiece.

In perfect symmetry, the Mother-of-Pearl moon phase is positioned at 9 o’clock, revealed through the Dragon’s coiled lower body, while the Dragon’s head and upper body rest on the flying tourbillon itself.

The five days of the phenomenal autonomy of this combination of high complications are displayed by a linear indicator, visible through a window positioned subtly in the middle of the case between the two strap lugs at 12 o’clock.

The Bovet Recital 26 Chapter Two Dragon can only be made in very limited quantities — at most one or two a month. But, as author George R.R. Martin wrote, “Not all men are meant to dance with dragons.”

BOVET Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon Technical Specifications

Functions

• Hours, minutes, seconds on the tourbillon;
• Mother-of-Pearl moon phase indicator;
• World time with indexable second timezone with hemispherical city indicator

Movement

• High-watchmaking hand-wound manufacture movement – calibre 17DM06-DT
• Diameter 39mm
• Components 443
• Number of Jewels 60
• Frequency 21,600 vph/3hz
• Power Reserve 5 days
• Patents Double-face flying tourbillon; Radial guidance mechanism system; Universal time display

Case

• 18K red gold
• Diameter 46,5mm
• Dimier “writing desk” case
• Sapphire caseback

Dial

• Convex in blue quartz,
• 18K red gold dragon sculpture

Bracelet

• Double face full skin alligator with platinum thread stitching
• 18K red gold folding buckle

About BOVET 1822
The House of BOVET is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces, artfully combining the most sophisticated mechanisms with the finest craftsmanship, employing artisanal techniques such as hand-finishing, hand-engraving, and miniature painting. For more than 200 years, BOVET 1822 has handcrafted the finest timepieces, allowing collectors to experience what is the true pleasure of the luxury of time. To further ensure this excellence, owner Mr. Pascal Raffy has limited the House’s annual manufacture of handcrafted timepieces, respecting Swiss artisanal processes, exclusivity, and uniqueness. Since Mr. Raffy became the owner of the House 22 years ago, his commitment has been to honor the watchmaking arts to continue to handcraft timepieces that fascinate and enthrall the most demanding collectors — all of this achieved combining decorative arts, innovation, and precision. As The Guardian of Swiss Handcrafted Watchmaking, the House of BOVET insists on manufacturing nearly 100% of its components in-house, including movements, complications, hands, dials, cases, up to and including the hairspring and regulating organ, the beating heart of fine timepieces. The House of BOVET is recognized around the world as a leader in high watchmaking and is coveted by collectors everywhere.