The Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two, Now in Red Gold

In 2019, Bovet introduced a highly impressive watch, the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One, announcing a series of ultra-complex and highly demonstrative timepieces, as a summary of the brand’s savoir-faire both visually and technically. This first page of the book will be followed in 2020 by the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two, which received the GPHG’s Mechanical Exception Award in 2020. Both of these watches were first presented in sapphire cases, offering the opportunity to dive into the movement, seeing it from multiple angles. This year, the Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two is introduced in a slightly more classic version, with luxurious appeal and a red gold case.

The Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One and Two are representing the epitome of what Bovet is capable of. High-watchmaking expertise, decorative arts, entirely hand-executed finishing, complex architecture of its movement… When first released, each model was housed in a sapphire “writing slope” case, so the owner could explore its mechanics. As announced by the brand in 2020, the Brainstorm Chapter Two was to be a limited edition of 60 movements, with 30 of them made of sapphire. This year, 15 of these movements will be encased in a new, slightly more elegant and restrained 18k red gold case, with three dial colours possible.

What is the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two? In short, a watch entirely developed, manufactured, decorated and assembled in-house with a double-sided flying tourbillon, a second-time zone with a twenty-four city disc, a precision moon phase showing both hemispheres and a solid 5-day power reserve… And a design for the movement that is simply staggering.

New for this year is the introduction of a case made of 18k red gold, in place of the transparent sapphire used in the inaugural models. Still, the case is more of a ring topped with two extra-large crystals, and as such the view of the movement remains almost uncluttered. As for the shape, the Brainstorm Chapter Two relies on a design inspired by the sloping angle found on antique writing desks, a case that owner Pascal Raffy decided to name “writing slope.” The inclination provided by the architecture of the case – thicker at one end and tapering at the other – creates a beautiful house that echoes the architecture of the movement, shaped accordingly. The watch still measures 47.80mm in diameter, making quite a statement on the wrist.

As for what’s inside this case, there’s no real possible differentiation between dial and movement, as both elements blend together as a whole. At 12, the first dome is used to indicate the hours and minutes. The rotating dome at 3 o’clock is inscribed with the names of 24 cities representing the 24 time zones. These are printed on the surface and taper in size as they reach the highest point of the dome. The cities are located on the rotating section of the dome that makes a complete revolution by scanning the 24-hour graduation of the base ring.  A gold V-shaped needle frames the selected city and the time is relayed on the 24-hour fixed ring below.

Finally, the third dome in the trilogy corresponds to the moon phase indicator and it too rotates in sync with the lunar cycles. It will only require a one-day correction every 127 years. The lunar surface is engraved by hand and then treated to luminescent material that brings a lovely glow to the moon in the dark. The last of the elements on this dial, echoing the hours/minutes dome, is the patented double-sided tourbillon regulator, secured by a five-armed star structure fully polished by hand. Last but not least, a power reserve indicator with linear motion is positioned at the thickest, top part of the case nestled between the two lugs.

For this 18k red gold edition of the Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two, three dial options will be offered – each only produced in 5 pieces. As presented here, you can opt for a translucent blue quartz dial. In the same vein, it is available with a translucent green quartz dial. Finally, Bovet offers the option for a blue Aventurine glass dial.

The back is as impressive as the front of the watch, with openworked bridges decorated with a “broken glass” pattern. This tourbillon movement features two barrels for a 5-day power reserve and beats at 3Hz. It displays the hours, minutes, seconds, phases of the moon, world time with second time zone and the power reserve.

Availability & price

The Bovet R̩cital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two in 18k red gold will be produced in 15 pieces Р5 for each dial version. It will be priced at CHF 355,000 and is worn on a double-face, full skin alligator with platinum thread stitching.

More details at bovet.com.