JC Biver Launches the Carillon Tourbillon in Collaboration with Bucherer
In March 2023, Jean-Claude Biver, a veteran watchmaker with five decades of experience, and his son Pierre established the exclusive Biver watch brand. Reflecting its deep passion for watchmaking, the brand collaborates with experts to create timepieces that promise unparalleled craftsmanship. The Biver brand's narrative unfolded with the introduction of the minute repeater, embodying complexity as the essence of their journey. In collaboration with Bucherer, Biver has now unveiled a unique Carillon Tourbillon timepiece, bedecked with a gradient of blue sapphires.
Here’s what GMT India finds most compelling about the new watch, which is both functional and poetic.
The minute repeater, a remarkable and challenging complication, taps into the emotional realm through an intricate interplay of sounds; it sustains the Biver adventure. “We envisioned the minute repeater as the cornerstone of our brand. However, the priority was to establish a design that truly represented us,” stresses Pierre Biver. “We sought to create a contemporary timepiece, one that draws inspiration from tradition yet simultaneously embodies both my father's and my own perspectives.”
Housed in a 43 mm white gold case, this new minute repeater is adorned with a breathtaking array of sapphires, totalling 30.52 carats, in a gradient hue. The meticulous arrangement of concave gems transcends traditional gem-setting, paying homage to the art itself. Exclusively crafted for Bucherer, this watch stands as a testament to the remarkable skills of the artisans who created it. The dial features a full sodalite centre with white gold indexes, base, and hands.
The timepiece showcases a carillon-type minute repeater with three gongs and hammers, adding a layer of complexity to its functionality. The automatic movement is enhanced by a platinum micro-rotor, the decorative plate of which is crafted in rose gold. The JCB seal on the regulating bridge signifies the movement’s exceptional finish, both in terms of quality and aesthetics. The movement is circular-grained on both sides, and the bridges, visible at the back, are made of white gold with a grained finish. The tourbillon is crowned with a white gold bridge. On the movement, Pierre Biver says, “Our aim was for the movement to complement and enhance the aesthetic principles we had envisioned.”
Boasting 196 re-entrant angles, 44 jewels, a 72-hour power reserve, and water resistance of up to 20 metres, the JC Biver Bucherer Carillon Tourbillon watch's technical specifications are as impressive as its aesthetics. Sapphire crystal protects both the front and the back, ensuring durability and clarity. The watch is completed on a blue stingray leather strap with a white gold folding clasp, pin, and buckle, set with 10 blue sapphires. These finishing touches bear the distinctive Biver hallmark, underscoring their commitment to “invisible beauty”.
Image Credits: Biver