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The event featured Ms. Audrey Raffy – Vice President of Bovet 1822 and daughter of Mr. Pascal Raffy, the brand owner. Travellive Media Group had the opportunity to chat with her and share interesting stories about Bovet's "unique artistry" as well as the brand's future direction.
Audrey Raffy is the daughter of Pascal Raffy, the owner of the BOVET 1822 brand.
Hello Audrey Raffy, it's a pleasure to see you again. I remember our first meeting, which was also in early winter in Hanoi a year ago, when Bovet introduced the Miss Audrey Sweet Art watch, featuring a dial adorned with sugar crystals created by master artisan Andre Martinez, inspired by you. Thank you for granting Travellive this interview; do you still have any impressions of us?
Wow, it's been a year already! I've always loved Hanoi and didn't realize it'd been so long since I last returned. I remember, last time, representatives from Travellive – a prestigious high-end magazine in Vietnam specializing in travel and lifestyle – directly participated in a sugar crystal embellishment workshop with artisan Andre when we launched the Miss Audrey Sweet Art watch for women who love sweetness. We had a wonderful time, didn't we!
It's wonderful that we've made such a good impression on each other. And Audrey, you must have a special reason for returning to Hanoi, right?
I don't want to think I need a special reason to come to Hanoi. I had a wonderful time when I came to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City a year before we had this workshop here.
This time, on the occasion of Bovet's opening of its first flagship boutique in Hanoi, I attended and also spent time with the press, fashion enthusiasts, and those who love the Bovet brand in particular.
This is truly great news for Bovet enthusiasts in Hanoi and Vietnam in general. We can now personally visit, admire, and own Bovet watches. For this special occasion, what special creations does Bovet want to offer its fans in Vietnam?
Bovet's works are rare in quantity, and we truly focus on the mechanical mechanism, artistry, and sculptural technique, so our works have undoubtedly resonated with Vietnamese connoisseurs.
At this event, the BOVET brand focused on four key techniques that have formed the foundation of its creations: Engraving, Miniature Painting, Materials Mastery, and Super Luminova (using luminescent materials). Beyond that, enthusiasts also had the opportunity to admire works combining contemporary design and exquisite craftsmanship that have made a name for themselves in the watchmaking world.
Lady Bovet - a unique edition in the world featuring a realistic miniature painting of a pair of doves, evoking femininity for its owner. Additionally, owners can choose a dial made from pink mother-of-pearl combined with a unique guilloche pattern.
The art of painting miniature enamel designs on watch dials is over 200 years old, requiring meticulousness, patience, and creativity. Yet, the BOVET team of artisans continues to conquer this challenge regardless of the surface material. Simple folk scenes, portraits, and the beauty of animals are the inspirations for the artisans at BOVET.
With BOVET, the dial is the perfect place for aesthetics and craftsmanship to shine. The BOVET Récital 21 Perpetual Calendar features a blue lacquered disc at the center of the dial to display the hours and minutes. The hours are indicated by gold Roman numerals, as are the hour and minute hands. The color contrast between the hour and minute markers and the disc creates a sophisticated and captivating appearance for the Récital 21 Retrograde Perpetual Calendar. Furthermore, the “Fleurisanne” motif – a design introduced in the 19th century – is reproduced on the dial, showcasing the meticulousness, fluidity, and artistry of the craftsman's hand.
Not only renowned for its time-honored craftsmanship, BOVET also amazes connoisseurs with its mastery of unique materials in the crafting process. Never limited to a single material, Pascal and the BOVET team of artisans constantly seek, explore, and conquer different materials to create one-of-a-kind creations.
In 2020, BOVET made a splash among watch enthusiasts with the release of the Miss Audrey Sweet Art (right) – a sweet combination of exquisite craftsmanship and the pioneering use of sugar crystal material, a material never before produced in the watch industry. The sugar crystals are carefully selected for their specific structure and size. Next, a special lacquer coating is applied to the dial by skilled artisans. This process demands absolute concentration and precision, as even a slight scratch requires starting over.
Furthermore, it would be remiss not to mention one of BOVET's most iconic creations: the Amadeo reversible case, which Pascal Raffy and his team spent nearly seven years researching and developing. This ingenious mechanism allows a wristwatch to be reversed, transforming it into a desk clock or pocket watch.
With the Amadeo system – allowing for complete reversal – collectors will own not three but four watches in one, as the strap can be flipped up. With this interesting feature and countless options, it's hard to get bored with such a unique work of art.
Personalization has always been a hallmark of Bovet watches. How will this be reflected in the models that will be available at the first store in Hanoi?
With Bovet, approximately 30-35% of our watches are created through a "personalization" process, and this is one of the brand's unique selling points. Except for standard models, Bovet's creations offer unique options tailored to the customer's personality, from specific characters or colors for the dial to a particular engraved pattern. We rarely replicate a single model, but instead offer unique, personalized pieces, allowing collectors to own a masterpiece of their own. And I believe that's what sets us apart from other brands.
With a history spanning over 200 years, Bovet has been developed and inherited by generations who cherish the brand and possess a vision. To continue this legacy, could you share more of your thoughts and plans with us?
First, I aspire to continue innovating, bringing forth new ideas and unique designs while simultaneously preserving Bovet's inherent identity. I don't want to lose Bovet's history in the process of innovation and creativity. Therefore, I want to build upon what Bovet has been doing and continue to do, along with developing the brand.
BOVET 1822 has been successfully collaborating with S&S Group for a long time, and the opening of its boutique in Hanoi will mark the next step in the brand's development in Vietnam. The Vietnamese market is expected to experience significant growth in the near future, and BOVET is honored to be a part of this collaborative journey.
Thank you for your insightful sharing today!
