Engraving Challenge

“In today’s world of mass-produced luxury, here at BOVET we focus on the human touch/hand craftsmanship,” says owner Mr. Pascal Raffy. “I am proud to introduce the Virtuoso XI, which combines modern high watchmaking with artisanal hand-finishing and hand-engraving. This piece is an ode to BOVET’s artisans, who take such pride in every step of the process.” The engravers at BOVET love a challenge, and the start of the engraving for the Virtuoso XI — even the pont de minuterie (the minute train bridge) is engraved — resulted in a lot of consternation, wringing hands, shaking heads, and repeated use of the word fou (French for “crazy”). Once they started, however, the artisans took up the gauntlet and the finished movement is a triumph of the human touch and the artistry of the engraver.