Displaying the Dragon

For BOVET, integrating the solid 18K gold dragon into the award-winning Récital 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 BOVET flying 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 Récital 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.”

The  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 caliber 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 centering 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 Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon is limited to 12 pieces for the world for the 12 months of the Dargon Year. But, as author George R.R. Martin wrote, “Not all men are meant to dance with dragons.”