We can say that they will not be long in coming! Barely a year after its creation, drink already unveils its first model. A breathtaking timing, but which reflects the ambition of Jean-Claude Biver and his son Pierre. And as much to say that they did not do things by halves. Their first creation is a exceptional piecefrom all points of view, whose name sounds like a promise: Carillon Tourbillon. A watch that is intended as the brand’s flagship model. And for good reason, it embeds the 3 key elements wanted by its two founders: a strong and distinctive designA high-flying mechanismand a signature complication, the minute repeater.
A distinctive design
Let’s start with the aesthetics. There Carillon Tourbillon adopts a round case of 42mm in diameter for 13.7mm thickness. It is made of 5N gold, called ” red gold (compared to 4N gold, which is strictly speaking pink gold), or titanium. Its relatively simple design aims to highlight what is happening inside. Indeed, the dial is simply spectacular! It is made of semi-precious stone: gray obsidian for the red gold version, or blue sodalite for the titanium version. The rendering is unique to each watch, depending on the details of each stone, its veins and its specific shades. The gold dauphine hands point to very thin indexes, also in gold. At 6 o’clock, we find the tourbillon cage, fixed on an arm whose shape echoes that of the needles. Finally, we can dwell on the beautiful bracelet : 5 rows of faceted links set one inside the other, fully contributing to the design of the watch and giving it extra personality.
A micro-rotor tourbillon movement
On the mechanical side, the movement used is an automatic caliber named JCB-001. It works through a micro rotor which allows it to keep a certain finesse, while offering a very comfortable 72-hour power reserve. The finish has obviously been the subject of all the attention: mirror-polished and grained bridges in white gold, polished and drawn chamfering, mirror-polished and satin-brushed steel, for a result that is both traditional and modern. And how can we talk about this caliber without mentioning its whirlwind ? Housed at 6 o’clock, it sets in motion a 3-pointed star clocked at 21,600 vibrations per hour.
The minute repeater, signature of the Biver brand
Pierre Biver announced it from the start: “We wanted the minute repeater be the founding stone of the brand”. Of which act. The Carillon Tourbillon embeds this very special complication, both terribly complex to implement and yet so poetic to hear. As a bridge between mechanics and emotion. Exactly what Jean-Claude Biver seeks to infuse into his timepieces: “A watch has value for us through its spiritual aspect, through the soul it carries. Because an object without a soul is a dead object. We want give birth to the soul of the watch“.
To find out more, visit the official JC Biver website.
CHARACTERISTICS – BIVER CHIME TOURBILLON
Case: 5N gold or grade 5 titanium – brushed & satin finish – 42mm diameter x 13.7mm thick – sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflective treatment – crown not screwed down at 3 o’clock – water resistance 5 ATM (50 meters) – transparent back with sapphire crystal
Dial: background in obsidian rock or sodalite stone – applied gold indexes – dauphine hands in gold (5N or white) hand-polished
Movement : automatic tourbillon – JCB-001 caliber – 374 parts – 44 jewels – 72-hour power reserve – platinum micro-rotor – 21,600 vibrations per hour – minute repeater function
Bracelet : gold or titanium – 5-link construction – brushed & satin finish – folding clasp – additional leather strap with pin buckle
Information: production limited to 18 pieces – available in 5 stores (Bucherer, The Hour Glass, Material Good, Yoshida and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons – price from €520,000 to €1,200,000
