It is in the 20^th century—during the 1930s, to be precise—that watchmaking witnessed one of the most significant turning points in its history: watches overwhelmingly migrated from pockets to wrists. Although from today's perspective, this seems like a natural evolution for watchmaking, it constituted a genuine revolution at the time. With their new ergonomics, wristwatches provided more freedom and new uses which, in turn, gave rise to new functions. This marked the beginning of specialized watches specifically designed to meet new, more demanding needs. Watchmakers thus found themselves faced with a multitude of new constraints. The movements they manufactured now needed to be more precise and their dimensions reduced. Linked to this development, steel, which was enjoying a boom, became a firm favorite for fashioning cases thanks to the many advantages afforded by its mechanical properties and resistance.

No other watchmaker symbolizes this transitional decade better than BOVET 1822, whose solid reputation for wrist-worn chronographs came to equal its 19^th century renown for pocket watches.

A genuine symbol of this evolution, the exclusive design of the iconic Fleurier case now makes it possible to wear a pocket watch on the wrist. 

An entire collection has thus been created in tribute to this major milestone in watchmaking history. To define the latter, Pascal Raffy was inspired by the aesthetic codes of a 1930s BOVET timepiece from his private collection: the “easel” chronometer, which was one of the last pocket watches to be manufactured by BOVET before wristwatches became widespread.

The 19Thirty Collection borrows the numbers and hands from the “easel” chronometer and combines them with pared-down aesthetics to showcase the chronometric performance and haute horlogerie finishes of each timepiece. The collection is characterized by two distinct cases: the Fleurier case, whose crown and bow at 12 o'clock recall the origins of BOVET, and the more traditional DIMIER case, with its four horns and a crown positioned at 3 o'clock in an additional nod this important transitional decade. 

Easel Chronometer 1930

The eighteen references that already comprise this collection are driven by a dedicated caliber that has been entirely developed and manufactured by watchmakers and artisans at DIMIER 1738. Drawing its energy from a single barrel, this hand-wound mechanical movement features a seven-day power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vph—feats that are only made possible by components that have been impeccably finished using ancestral artisanal techniques. As usual, the architecture of this new caliber is focused on harmony and symmetry to create unique elegance. 

In addition to the two cases available in steel, collectors can also select a black, blue or ivory dial with Arabic, Roman or Chinese numerals, historically present on the dials manufactured by BOVET. This guarantees him or her an original, fine watchmaking timepiece whose timekeeping and reliability make it perfect for everyday use, whatever the circumstances. 

19Thirty finds a natural place among the BOVET 1822 collections and defines a new vision of traditional contemporary fine watchmaking, inspired by the richness and diversity of a heritage that has accompanied the history of the watchmaker’s art since 1822.