Review: Bovet Virtuoso V in a new salmon dial

Bovet continues to strengthen their Virtoso V lineup with a new model with salmon dial. The model feature jumping hours, retrograde minutes and is double sided.

Review: Bovet Amadéo Fleurier Virtuoso V in a new salmon dial

The Bovet Virtuoso V in Salmon dial retails for SGD 110,000   / THB 2,916,000. Available at the Bovet Boutique in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore and Gaysorn Village, Bangkok. Viewing is by appointment only in Kuala Lumpur.

The case, dial and hands

The watch, the Amadéo Fleurier Virtuoso V is not new. We first reviewed the Amadéo Fleurier Virtuoso V in 2018 when it was released in red gold and white gold options with a blue guilloché dial. The white gold model is still on the current Bovet catalog along with a red gold case sporting a red guilloché dial.

But for the first time, the watch is now available in a titanium case. Which, for a rather large timepiece, measuring 43.5mm in diameter with a height of 15.7mm, makes it a rather more wrist friendly as the case is very light. We note that th e foot of the Amadéo system is made of stainless steel – this is the part which is swung around to support the watch as a desk clock, as Bovet tells us that it is impossible to weld titanium to itself.

The same fastinating Amadéo system of one in four watches remain. The watch can be worn on both sides, with a simple switch of the strap which can be executed without tools. Both sides look completely different, with the only unifying theme being the salmon lacquer colour dials. And look like two completely different watches. On the front, the large digital display for the hours is right in the center of the dial, and the minutes are shown in retrograde fashion on an arc sub-dial fanning across from the 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock. The rest of the dial is negative space, with only the marque logo, the model name, and the words reminding us that the movement runs fo r4 days and is Swiss handcrafted. We rather like the dial and its almost simple indication.

The watch can also be worn as a pocket watch as it comes complete with a chain, or can be set on the table as a desk clock.

The attention to detail on both dials is remarkable, with top drawer finishing, on par with the best in the industry. Frankly, we would have preferred less text on the sloped rehaut of the back dial, but even with the verbiage in cursive text, it remains unobtrusive and does not detract from the beauty.

The movement

The movement is the now time tested 138M11AIHSMR which is very beautifully designed and finished. The entire movement is visible on the back dial, which has only a sub-dial for the conventional coaxially mounted hours and minute hands. The rest of the back is open worked to showcase the movement.

The bridges are beautifully designed with a sensuous curved shape, open around the wheels to show the wheel train. The seconds hand is a three armed affair, indicating the passing of each 1/3 of a minute with each arm in turn.

Competitive landscape

There are not many watches like this. IF we limit to double faced watches, the landscape might have a few inhabitants, some of which we discussed in our original 2018 review. But if we include a watch which serves 4 purposes, then perhaps the landscape becomes a lone one.

Concluding thoughts

As we have said in our original review, the Virtuoso V is a very beautiful watch. And this new version with the salmon lacquered dial is magnificent. The double face makes it two watches, and the ability to wear as a pocket watch an das a table clock makes this one purchase which serves 4 purposes.

There is much to love. The purist will love this watch for it’s design, finishes and complications. It has a elegant air, and suggests of good taste.

Bovet Virtuoso V Specifications

CASE MATERIAL

Titanium
Amadeo Convertible System 1 into 4

BRACELET STRAP

Leather
18K white gold 

BUCKLE

Folding buckle

NUMBER OF CARATS 0.72

DIAL FINISH

Salmon lacquer dials 

WATER RESISTANCE

30 m

SIZEø 43.50 mm

THICKNESS 15.70 mm

MOVEMENT

Manual-winding mechanical  
Power reserve: 120 h, 21600 variations / hours
Skeleton movement

FUNCTIONS

Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Retrograde Minutes, Jumping hours, Dual time
Reversed hand fitting 

REFERENCE ACHS041

LAUNCH DATE 03.2022

COLLECTION

Fleurier / 30-pieces limited series