Biver is closing the first chapter of its history with the final ten pieces of the initial fifty-piece series of the Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater. These watches venture into new realms of elegance, honouring the intricate art of dial making with guilloché watch faces in Mother-of-Pearl and Black Obsidian.
The Dial: The Face and Soul of a Watch
The dial of a watch is more than just its face; it sets the tone and style, hinting at the character and story of the timepiece.
It is the first element that catches the eye, drawing one into the intricate narrative of the watch’s craftsmanship and design. Around 1850, the Parisian tailor Chevreuil likened a suit to an idea that envelops a man’s body, a perspective that resonates deeply with Jean-Claude and Pierre Biver.
They view a watch as an extension of the wearer’s personality, embodying desire, ambition, and conviction. As Pierre Biver states, “A watch transcends mere objecthood; it is not just a collection of moving parts. It represents both an abstract vision and a concrete accomplishment. Our philosophy is to bring out the soul of each watch.”
Honouring the Craft of Dial-Making
For the final ten pieces of the Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater, Biver has chosen to highlight the artistry of the dial maker with two distinct dial options. The first, crafted from black obsidian, creates a striking contrast with the warm rose gold case.
The second, made of mother-of-pearl, enhances the elegant simplicity of the titanium version. Both designs feature a 42 mm diameter and a thickness of 13.70 mm.
The movement is the automatic JCB-001 calibre with micro-rotor winding, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offering a 72-hour power reserve.
Craftsmanship and Attention to Detail
The two-part construction of these new dials, with a polished periphery and a central area adorned with intricate guilloché, highlights Biver’s commitment to meticulous craftsmanship.
The subtle doming effect achieved through polishing enhances the interplay of light, paying homage to historical pocket watches. The guilloché pattern, concentrically engraved around the tourbillon, ensures each curve is unique, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind design.
Respect for Natural Materials
Biver’s reverence for natural materials is evident in the guilloché and polishing work on mother-of-pearl and obsidian.
Black obsidian, once used for tools and weapons, now enchants as a gemstone with its enigmatic shades, while mother-of-pearl mesmerizes with its ethereal structure and myriad reflections
The Hour Glass is the exclusive retailer of Biver Watches in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.