Bovet’s Pascal Raffy Cuts Ribbon at First USA Boutique in New York

Yesterday at Central Park South in New York City, Bovet 1822 officially opened its first USA boutique – with brand owner Pascal Raffy humbly acknowledging his family, family team and newest alliances for all their hard work in bringing a dream to fruition.  In fact, Raffy has owned the Bovet brand for just about 13 years now, and has built it into a brand renowned for its incredible craftsmanship and artistry.

Focusing on traditional arts of watchmaking, gem setting and enameling, Bovet 1822 has become a powerful statement in luxury haute horology. Since the brand only creates about 2,500 watches per year for global sale, each timepiece is a coveted and unique piece.  Created for men and women, the watches feature a distinctive bow design above the crown placed unusually at 12:00, and offer an ingenious easily interchangeable/convertible strap system. Many of the pieces can triple as pocket watches and small table clocks thanks to an ingenious system.

In fact, in a   few moments with the very detail oriented, somewhat-of-a-perfectionist Raffy, we had the private and singular opportunity to discover the watch on his wrist – a sapphire domed skeletonized beauty on one side, with  an enamel painting of the Madonna with child on the reverse side. The approximately $250,000 timepiece is therefore, reversible as well as being convertible as a table clock or pocket watch.

Every Bovet 1822 watch is hand crafted, exceptionally finished and technically superior – always characterized by the brand’s nearly 200 years of history and distinction.  In fact, when Raffy bought the brand in 2001, it was his goal to restore it to its former historical richness. He has revived stunning collections such as Amadeo, Recital and Virtuoso, and

has purchased its supply company, which he now calls Dimier 1738, so that the brand would become a true Manufacture. He has even taken new steps with the bold sport-oriented Cambrio line, and has aligned the brand with worthy causes, including Artists for Peace and Justice (which helps communities in Haiti and has built schools there to help educate children).

For the opening of the first USA boutique, in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bovet 1822 has created a new collection of 50 watches unique to New York and sold only in New York, with each timepiece engraved to commemorate the opening. The Bovet boutique resides next to the recently opened Ulysse Nardin Boutique and is a joint venture with retailers Jeffrey Khalaf and Michael Rosenberg of The Timepiece Collection, NJ.