Bovet 19 Thirty Fleurier Watch Review 2023

The highest levels of luxury watchmaking are a world of excellence, where words like “perfection,” “excellence,” and “heritage” are commonly used. I have always admired this refined and magnificent sphere and have often expressed my admiration for it. A recent experience with one of Bovet’s creations has intrigued me the most. Today we are going to review an interesting timepiece – the Bovet 19 Thirty Fleurier.

Bovet – Brand Background

Edouard Bovet, born in Fleurier in 1797, established his own watch company under his name in 1822. The company now creates luxurious timepieces within the premises of Château de Môtiers, a 14th century castle situated in the Val-de-Travers region close to Fleurier. The owner of the company, Pascal Raffy, who is known for his fashionable taste, also owns Dimier 1738, a manufacturer located in Tremelan, a lush green area in the Bernese Jura region. Dimier 1738 collaborates with Bovet 1822 to produce exquisite timepieces that often incorporate complications, métiers d’art, precious metals, and jewel-encrusted cases with breathtaking results.

The dial

Upon initial interaction with the watch, the dial area’s deep blue color draws the viewer in with its magical depth. The circular brushed dial skillfully plays with light, creating captivating areas of brightness and shadows. The dial is composed of two circles, resembling a venn diagram, with the upper one displaying hours and minutes while the lower one shows small seconds and overlaps the larger circle. Both dials are outlined with brightwork and held in place with screws that are blued.

The Bovet watch company has created a modern timepiece that pays homage to the “Easel Chronometer” invented by Albert Bovet in 1930. Bovet’s patent allowed for a pocket watch to be transformed into a table clock through a hinged section on the caseband, but this feature is not included in the Bovet 19 Thirty Fleurier. Instead, the new watch incorporates the elegant hands and Arabic numerals of the original design, which effectively communicate with the wearer.

The case

Bovet has introduced two variations of the 19 Thirty timepiece. The first version, known as the ‘Dimier’ case, features a standard appearance with a crown at 3 o’clock and four lugs. However, the second version, equipped with a ‘Fleurier’ case, has a unique design that combines elements of pocket watches with the functionality of a wristwatch. Bovet notes that the name of the watch was chosen to reflect the shift from pocket watches to wristwatches during the 1930s. This model is the main focus of the review.

Initially, this watch might seem to have the House’s well-known Amadeo system that enables it to function as a pocket watch or table clock. However, this less expensive timepiece does not have this feature but still maintains its elegant appearance. The crown, situated at noon, is easy to use and has a luxurious touch due to the blue cabochon attached to it. 

This Bovet timepiece is different from their usual high-end watches made with precious metals, as it is made of stainless steel. But buyers need not be concerned, as the polished steel is still luxurious and in line with the brand’s reputation. The watch’s case is 42mm wide and 9.05mm thick, making it suitable for most male wearers.

The movement

The 15BM04 caliber is manually wound and can run for up to 7 days on a single spring barrel, which is impressive. Seeing the movement created by the historical maison fills me with admiration, especially given the exceptional finissage that rivals higher-priced brands. The exhibition caseback reveals two large bridges, decorated with circular Côtes de Genève patterns and tasteful golden engravings. The internal angles are expertly executed by hand with suitable files, resulting in superb anglage. The circular graining on the wheels and the uniform perlage on the mainplate are both performed to a very high standard.

Closing remarks

The Bovet 19 Thirty watch with Fleurier case and blue dial is a delight to wear. It has already become a top element of my collection. The watch is not only comfortable to wear but also has an elegant design, is easy to read, and showcases excellent craftsmanship. Bovet has done an excellent job of creating a timepiece that surely will be appreciated by more and more watch enthusiasts. This addition to their catalog is sure to be popular, and I believe they will likely receive a lot of orders from watch aficionados such as myself.