ReviewArtistry Magnifique: Presenting Bovet’s Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two In Red Gold

Known for their engineering brilliance when it comes to crafting some of the most complex yet stunning timepieces, Bovet have always managed to bedazzle watch enthusiasts with their offerings. Their award-winning Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two is one such timepiece that was first introduced in sapphire and received the GPHG’s Mechanical Exception Award in 2020. The maison then extended this offering in 18-karat red gold, replete with their iconic ‘writing slope’ case. Featuring Bovet’s patented double-sided flying tourbillon, a second time zone with a twenty-four city disc, a precision moon phase showing both hemispheres, and a five-day power reserve; this timekeeper looks completely different in red gold when compared to its predecessor in sapphire. Limited to just five pieces, this resplendent timekeeper is the perfect mix of fine watchmaking, decorative arts, and supreme innovation.

Fine Artistry And Architecture

Just like all Bovet watches that are hallmarks of mechanical ingenuity and fine craftsmanship, the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two features the brand’s signature ‘writing slope’ case with an asymmetrical profile, created by the brand in 2016. The slope of its case and sapphire crystal allows one to clearly view the mechanisms and their workings, making it quite the spectacle. According to the brand, the patent-protected design of this case opens up new horizons in terms of the architecture of the movements, by optimising the volume, which simultaneously increases the functionalities offered, the chronometry, the reliability, and the readability.

Bovet's award-winning Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two was first introduced in a sapphire case and received the GPHG’s Mechanical Exception Award in 2020. The maison then extended this offering in 18-karat red gold, used to craft their iconic ‘writing slope’ case

There is a domed dial, which displays the hours and minutes of local time in the upper part of the case. The seconds are read by an index fixed on the tourbillon itself, placed at six o’clock which makes a complete revolution in one minute. Finally, two rotating domes placed, respectively at three o’clock and nine o’clock complete the design and balance out the symmetry.

The dome at three o’clock displays a second time zone specifically developed for this watch and features the names of the cities representing the 24 different time zones. These are printed on the dome, which makes one entire revolution in 24 hours. And the functioning is fairly simple… A three-dimensional V-shaped hand allows one to select the displayed time zone, while also offering optimum legibility. In addition to a second time-zone display, this also features the world-time function—where the time in each of the 24 time zones can be read simultaneously. Then there is also a moon phase indicator, placed neatly at nine o’clock, showcased by a rotating dome. Here, the depiction of the moon’s surface has been executed in a beautiful manner, thanks to hand engraving and then the application of a luminescent material—also carried out by hand. The two circular windows on top of the dome help to read the age of the moon in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere. Highly precise in nature, this mechanism provides an accuracy that requires a correction of one day, every 127 years. Quite a remarkable feat!

The dome at three o’clock displays a second time zone specifically developed for this watch and features the names of the cities representing the 24 different time zones

The moon phase indicator at nine o’clock is also depicted by a rotating dome. Here, the depiction of the moon’s surface has been executed in a beautiful manner, thanks to hand engraving

The seconds are read by an index fixed on the tourbillon itself, placed at six o’clock which makes a complete revolution in one minute

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Mechanical Brilliance Of The Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two

The Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two is driven by an entirely new calibre, developed in-house, especially for this watch. This hand-wound movement powers multi-time zones with supreme ease and guarantees five days of power reserve with two barrels, beating at a frequency of 21,600vph, enhanced by the patented double-sided flying tourbillon.

The Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two is driven by an entirely new calibre, developed in-house, especially for this watch. This hand-wound movement powers multi-time zones with supreme ease and guarantees five days of power reserve with two barrels, beating at a frequency of 21,600vph

A patented mechanism—the Radial Guidance System—operates the domes of the second time zone and the moon phase indication. This is a technical system where according to Bovet, three rollers, in rubies adjustable by a micrometric screw, are arranged on the circumference of each dome. They ensure centering and the rotation minimises friction and increases the chronometry and the power reserve duration. Water-resistant to 30m, the watch is presented on a leather strap replete with an 18-karat red gold folding buckle.