Introducing The Bovet Récital 21 Retrograde Perpetual Calendar with Sapphire Crystal Dials

When it comes to crafting timepieces that combine intricate mechanics with creative artistry, Bovet is in a league of its own. The Swiss brand has built a reputation for mastering complexity, with each watch reflecting a passion for horology that goes far beyond simply telling time. One area where Bovet truly stands out is in its work with perpetual calendars. As for the past 23 years, Bovet has been at the forefront of this challenge, continually refining its craft to produce some of the most sophisticated and beautiful timepieces with this complication.

Following the release of the Récital 21 Retrograde Perpetual Calendar released in 2019, the brand is now unveiling an updated version of this iconic timepiece, featuring a sapphire crystal dial available in three stunning hues, green, blue, and brown.

The trio of timepieces is presented in polished Grade 5 titanium, with a 44.40mm diameter and housed within Bovet’s iconic writing desk case. The case has a thickness of 15.40mm and gracefully slopes down to 10.25mm. It is complemented by an elegant crown featuring a green sapphire cabochon, adding a refined touch to the piece.

The slightly smoked sapphire crystal dials offer a captivating view of the intricate components within the movement. Through the dial, one can observe the delicate gears, pinions, and wheels in motion, along with the day of the week and the upcoming month. The date is indicated by a retrograde hand that sweeps around the hours and minutes, while the days and months are displayed in vertical apertures at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. 

The leap year cycle is shown in a circular aperture at 3 o'clock, with the minute and hour hands positioned at the center of the timepiece. The numerals and indices are coated with Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility. Additionally, Bovet’s watchmakers have developed a unique mechanism that slows down the retrograde date hand during its jump, ensuring a smooth transition when the last day of the month changes to the first.

The watch is powered by the Calibre 13DM05-QPR, a manual winding movement visible through the caseback, showcasing the patented double coaxial seconds mechanism. It also features a power reserve indicator, which, when fully wound, displays a five-day power reserve from a single barrel. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz), and has a total of 464 components.

The watch is paired with an alligator leather strap in green, blue, or brown to complement the dial, equipped with a titanium buckle. Each watch is limited to just 60 pieces, and the price is available upon request.

For more information, you can visit Bovet’s official website.