Steven Rogers
It wasn’t that long ago that titanium was reserved for rugged tool watches or avant-garde creations. The idea of pairing this high-tech material with the traditional haute horlogerie Bovet espouses might once have seemed unthinkable. But times have changed, and collectors now embrace titanium for its unique blend of properties. Bovet has taken full advantage of this evolution in mindset with the Récital 12.
For the case and bracelet, Bovet has chosen Grade 5 titanium, a robust alloy of 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. Lightweight yet extremely strong, it boasts exceptional resistance to corrosion, scratches and wear, while being biocompatible, ensuring it doesn’t irritate the skin. It is also entirely recyclable, underscoring Bovet’s commitment to sustainability. And while titanium is notoriously difficult to polish, the maison’s artisans have managed to achieve an impressive mix of shiny and matte finishes, further elevating the Récital 12’s aesthetic appeal.
Marie de Pimodan
At first glance, it is above all the contemporary sport chic style, very much in tune with the times, that emanates from this Récital 12 watch. But those who appreciate watchmaking know perfectly well that the devil is in the detail. By choosing to indicate the hour and minute on an off-centred dial, Bovet has succeeded in striking a delicate aesthetic balance between the technical nature of the movement and the traditional decorative skills used on the dial. Entirely crafted in-house by Bovet artisans, the dial is adorned with the twelve petals of a stylised ‘lotus flower’, a poetic way of symbolising the 12 hours in a guilloché pattern dear to the Manufacture. This fine traditional engraving is coated with eight layers of coloured lacquer - dark blue, emerald green or turquoise. The result: relief, finesse and a play of light and shadow with every movement of the wrist are the hallmarks of this beautiful work of art, flanked by slender steel hands. Two small blued screws punctuate the scene, a discreet nod to the colour of the small seconds hands at 9 o'clock.
Allissa Pataki
We could not talk about the Récital 12 without delving into its movement. Bovet has introduced a brand-new manual winding movement, redesigned and reconfigured for function and aesthetics. The inverted baseplate not only allows for a slimmer profile, but also showcases the moving parts on the dial side (balance wheel, gears, seconds wheel with its triple blue hand). Staying true to Bovet’s commitment to craftmanship, the 227 components are decorated with a good choice of fine finishes. To top it off, the movement operates at 3 Hz with an in-house hairspring and boasts a seven-day power reserve, with a convenient power reserve indicator on the dial.
Mathieu Rotzer
The first time I wore the BOVET Récital 12, I knew this watch was something special. Its lightweight titanium case and slim profile make it feel like it’s barely there. The bracelet stole the show for me, with its smooth articulation and clever expansion mechanism that makes it feel custom-fitted. And the look? Absolutely gorgeous. The polished-matte finish paired with the guilloche dial is beautiful, and the hand-finished movement visible through the open-work design is the kind of detail you can’t stop staring at. Plus, with a seven-day power reserve, it’s ready to keep up with whatever you throw at it. Honestly, this is the kind of watch I’d reach for every day - I love how it manages to be understated and striking at the same time.
Sophie Furley
This is the first time that Bovet has offered one of its timepieces on a bracelet. The idea came from a direct demand from the brand’s clients who felt a sports watch with an integrated bracelet was missing from Bovet’s collection. The bracelet took two years of research and development to perfect and comes with two brushed links flanking a polished central link. It wasn’t only the design that Bovet wanted to get right, but also the comfort and how it would feel on the wrist. Trying the bracelet on in the WorldTempus office and I can attest to how well it fits, especially with its folding clasp that includes an expansion mechanism allowing for up to 3mm of adjustability when the weather heats up. When the bracelet is closed, the tips of the middle links touch, for a nice aesthetic finishing touch.
