Bovet Recital 22 “Grand Recital” – A fascinating astronomical watch



Timekeeping is a product of astronomy. Everything related to time calculation and calendar indication is related to the movement of the Earth, Moon and Sun. It is not surprising that some brands (a few…) have taken advantage of this to create complex and fascinating watches. In its latest creation, Bovet plays a wonderful horological concert, interpreting the Earth, Sun and Moon as a celestial “three-way dance”. Let’s meet the fascinating Bovet Recital 22 “Grand Recital”.

Horology has its roots in astronomy. Ever since humans began to think about the passage of time, the organization of our lives has been influenced by the movement of celestial bodies and their regular cycles. The concept of time as we know it today is measured according to what humans can perceive. Therefore, calculations are based on the regular movement of the Earth relative to the observable stars and planets.

Bovet has been committed to exploring this theme, launching a series of exquisitely crafted and complicated watches that provide a poetic imagination of time, involving both science and art. In 2016, the spotlight was on the Shooting Star, a 5-day tourbillon with jumping hours, retrograde minutes and a hemispherical double moon phase. A year later, the Astérium became a stargazing watch regulated by a 10-day flying tourbillon. Today, Bovet presents the Recital 22 “Grand Recital”, a tribute to the three celestial bodies that determine the rhythm of our lives: the Sun, the Earth and the Moon.

First, the most familiar star, the Sun, is represented by a one-minute flying tourbillon that rises above the surface of the movement, as if floating in mid-air. The tourbillon cage has five arms that evoke the sun's rays. At 12 o'clock, the Earth is a hand-painted hemisphere that displays the hours. The precise Moon (corrected by just one day in 122 years) orbits around it. Retrograde minutes and power reserve indications are displayed on hemispherical sectors on either side of the Earth. A sapphire crystal is set in the center to magnify the mechanical complexity beneath.

Last but not least, the date is displayed at 7 o'clock via a magnifying glass. But it is not just a simple date, it is part of a perpetual calendar that shows only the date on the dial side, while all other information is displayed on the reverse side.

The date is the only information displayed because it is the only important information for each day. Everyone knows the month or the day of the week without looking at a calendar. The date, on the other hand, is necessary to set the perpetual calendar. To do this, just turn the Bovet Recital 22 'Grand Recital' over. There you will find all the perpetual calendar indications, including the date, just to facilitate setting the perpetual calendar. The date is indicated via a retrograde mechanism driven by a patented micrometer rack.

Another clever feature is the calendar setting mechanism. In addition to the traditional correctors for adjusting each indication individually, it can also be adjusted via a user-friendly rectangular pusher located between the upper lugs. It allows to advance all indications by one day simultaneously. So if your watch has been stopped for five days, you only need to press the pusher five times to set your watch.

The movement inside the Bovet Recital 22 'Grand Recital' is the manual movement 17DM03-TEL. It consists of no less than 472 parts and vibrates 18,000 times per hour. Its single barrel can store up to nine days of power reserve. It is housed in an “Ecritoire” (French for writing slope) case, whose asymmetrically inclined design is inseparable from the movement’s architecture. At the same time, it allows the watch to sit comfortably on the wrist despite its large diameter. At 46 mm in diameter and 19.60 mm in height, it is the same size as the Astérium.

Beyond the impressive technicality of this watch, the Grand Recital is also a watch of beauty. This three-dimensional miniature universe is literally filled with light and reveals numerous intricate details. The craftsmanship of this watch reflects the brand’s uncompromising ethics and is top-notch. Fine workmanship, meticulous attention to detail and mastery of traditional craftsmanship are evident throughout.

Bovet is a manufacturer with a rare degree of vertical integration. If you have the opportunity to visit, you will understand why. There, detail-oriented professionals meticulously manufacture not only the movements (including the balance spring), but also the external components such as the dial.

For example, the creation of the globe takes 15 days. The hemispheres are machined in-house, hand-engraved and hand-painted in eye-catching detail. The artisans incorporated luminescent substances into the miniature painting. Then, they covered it with several layers of transparent lacquer and finally painted the clouds by hand. As a result, the depth, shine and realism of this earth map are truly impressive.

The “Grand Recital” comes with an alligator leather strap, while the titanium version comes with a black fabric strap. Finally, since most of the watch’s components are made in-house, it offers a wide range of customization options.

Technical specifications – BOVET RECITAL 22 'GRAND RECITAL'
Case: Ø 46.30 mm x 19.60 mm thick - Titanium grade 5, 18K rose gold or 950 platinum - Sapphire crystals on the front and back - Water-resistant to 30 meters
Movement: Calibre 17DM03-TEL – Mechanical with manual winding – 9-day power reserve – 18,000 vibrations/hour – 472 components – One-minute flying tourbillon
Indications: Earth rotation hour with day/night indication, retrograde minutes, tourbillon seconds, power reserve indicator, retrograde perpetual calendar and precision moon phases
Strap: Alligator leather or fabric - Pin buckle to match the case material