Hello, today I would like to present a model I had the opportunity to discover at the Geneva Watch Week 2024. It is the latest version of the first model from the brand Biver, created in 2023 by Mr. Jean-Claude Biver and his son Pierre Biver. Before going into detail about this watch, let me share the origins of this brand.
Although Mr. Jean-Claude Biver is neither a watchmaker, nor an engineer, nor a constructor, this figure, who notably revived Blancpain and Hublot, embodies one of the most influential and respected personalities in watchmaking. He has been at the heart of the global watchmaking industry for over 50 years, and with his son Pierre, he created his brand to produce the highest form of hyper-exclusive and prestigious watchmaking.
Free from any economic pressure or constraints, they call upon the best specialists in each field to create exceptional watches that are both contemporary, inspired by tradition, and reflective of their personalities. The first model is a complication dear to their hearts: a minute repeater carillon with a tourbillon and micro-rotor. It represents a neo-classical sporty interpretation of the minute repeater. Now, let’s look at the watch.
What are the features of the Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl?
Case
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl features a Grade 5 titanium case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 13.7 mm in thickness. Water-resistant up to 50 m, it allows its owner to wear it for daily use.
Dial
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater is adorned with a white Mother of Pearl dial, finished with a concentric geometric guilloché pattern. This guilloché emphasizes modernity and is inspired by the links of the brand’s distinctive bracelet. The dial is decorated with sumptuous baguette-cut diamond indexes and a beautiful flat area in the central motif, designed to accommodate each gold letter of the Biver inscription.
In addition to having a pure visual imprint, this dial is subtly domed for continuity and coherence thanks to the polishing of the raw material. This curvature not only enhances the play of light on its surface but also pays homage to historical timepieces, particularly 18th and 19th-century pocket watches, whose dials were not perfectly flat.
Movement
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl houses a self-winding movement with a micro-rotor. Developed with the help of the Cercle des Horlogers, this caliber beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a 72-hour power reserve. For detailed finishing, each component of the movement is decorated on all its sides, even the parts not visible to the wearer. Each piece is hand-finished using artisanal techniques such as polishing, satin-finishing, perlage, and flame hardening.
In addition to having this magnificent tourbillon at 6 o’clock, the watch features a rare function in watchmaking. This watch has a minute repeater that stands out because it is a carillon, meaning it is equipped with three sets of hammers and gongs instead of the usual two, so the repeater strikes a high note for the hours, a triple note for the quarters, and a low note for the hours and minutes.
Strap
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl comes with a bracelet that has a more formal yet definitively sporty look, thanks to the elegance of the gray Alcantara.
How much does the Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl?
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl is a limited edition of 10 pieces that complements the Black Obsidian and concludes the production of this first model, limited to 50 pieces. For this White Mother of Pearl version, the price is CHF 560,000 (excluding VAT).
Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl: A neo-classical sporty interpretation of the minute repeater
The Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl is a watch with an impressive level of quality that adopts a more formal look, suitable for evenings. I would like to highlight that the sound of the carillon is very pure with a rather moderate and clear tone. For those who will have the chance to acquire one of these 10 watches, you will have the opportunity to slightly personalize your personal model in consultation with Mr. Biver and his son. I would like to warmly thank Filipe for presenting this piece in a splendid setting.
Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Biver
- Model: Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater
- Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
- Dial: Grade 5 titanium, White Mother-of-pearl, Diamonds, White gold
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Carillon Minute Repeater
- Movement: JCB.001-A, Minute repeater Carillon Tourbillon, Micro-rotor-winding, 21’600vph frequency (3Hz), 44 jewels and 374 parts
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 42 mm (Diameter) × 13.90 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Gray Alcantara with Grade 5 Titanium Pin Buckle
- Availability: Limited Edition of 10 pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 560’000 (Excluding VAT)
What do you think of this exceptional piece? Share your impressions and opinions in the comments.
For more information about Biver, click here.
The Review
Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater White Mother of Pearl
From The Time Production - Please note that the ratings provided here solely reflect my subjective opinions. These assessments are based entirely on my personal experiences and interactions with each watch. As such, they may differ from the opinions of other enthusiasts or experts in the field. My aim is to offer personal insights that might help you understand how each timepiece might feel in everyday use.
