A Closer Look At Bovet’s Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two 10-Day Flying Tourbillon Big Date

The Virtuoso VIII was first introduced in 2017 to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the maison. This unique big date tourbillon alluded to the past while presenting a contemporary timepiece that combined the core values of the Bovet Maison – reliability, chronometry, and decorative arts.

When it was launched, the Virtuoso VIII 10-Day Flying Tourbillon Big Date presented something totally new for Bovet by blending the savoir-faire from both its Dimier and Fleurier collections into one timepiece. On the one hand, the Dimier collection is designed to showcase the latest technological advances and mechanical innovations of the maison. On the other, the Fleurier Grandes Complications collection is committed to elevating horology’s finest decorative arts. The Virtuoso VIII was truly a celebration of Bovet’s extensive know-how across the board.
 

In comparison to Chapter One, Bovet’s Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two offers a wholly redesigned dial with a power reserve indicator displayed at 9 o’clock and a big date at 3 o’clock. Both complications are displayed on large counters cut from blue aventurine glass, bringing all the magic and mystery of this glittering “starry night” material to the timepiece. They are positioned in a horizontal figure eight, the symbol for infinity and good fortune in many cultures.
 

Behind the dials, the steel plates and bridges have been chamfered and polished. The sunken disk plates have also been chamfered. Additionally, the two elegant arms over the flying tourbillon have been rounded and polished, and the surfaces of the bridges have been decorated with a circular Côtes de Genève motif on both sides. This extreme level of movement finishing is something Bovet prides itself on and adds to the timepiece’s technical prowess.
 

An index screwed into the tourbillon cage wheel indicates the seconds, another useful indication. The arrow of the index hangs over the edge of the delicate circular dial showing the 60 seconds. To achieve this, the seconds dial had to be affixed to the plate during the initial assembly phase, which was no easy feat for Bovet’s watchmakers, especially as they had to be particularly attentive to the delicate nature of the aventurine.