A sophisticated watch of truly exceptional beauty and exquisite hand crafted detail, the Récital 23 Miss Audrey by Bovet 1822 is a piece which is both elegant and outstanding, with three dimensional moon phase and offset dial with diamond hour indices, and presented in its distinguished oval case of polished white gold and set with a choice of round cut or baguette diamonds.

Renowned for its uncompromising approach to the classical art of hand manufactured haute horlogerie, in the Récital 23 Miss Audrey collection, Bovet 1822 has created a tantalising collection of beautiful and complex wristwatches for the discerning female collector for whom style, individuality and artisanal craftsmanship are a natural extension of her personality.

Taking one of the brand’s most distinctive design signatures and recreating it in a form which exudes femininity, Bovet’s ‘writing slope’ case is a perfect oval of polished white gold, which upon request can be lavishly garnished with a choice of round cut or baguette diamonds for the ultimate in luxurious expression. Tapering in a wedge-like profile from end to end, so the display is poised at a gentle incline towards the wearer’s eye, the ‘writing slope’ case measures 47mm in length and a mere 28.7mm across, and is ideally proportioned for a superbly comfortable fit on the more slender wrist.

Beneath the subtly domed sapphire crystal the face of the Récital Miss Audrey is a three dimensional combination of meticulous hand decorated detail and beautiful displays for the time and the lunar cycle. A deep blue dial of aventurine glass is set with ten diamond hour markers, and it shimmers and catches the light with the starry flecks of gold buried deep within. The hour and minutes hands are ornate in their shape, but for a few minutes each hour, as the minute hand approaches the hour hand they combine to create the shape of a heart in an utterly beguiling little detail.

From either side of the off-centre dial a rising arc holds aloft a circular aperture at the midpoint, separating the dial and the domed moon disc which rotates beneath. Depicting the surface of the moon, the engraved disc has a luminous coating, with highly polished relief detailing, and through the ring the moonphase is displayed via a pair of starry aventurine plates which replicate the outline of the visible moon. With a corrector integrated as a cabochon into the tip of the crown the moon phase is easily adjusted, although so precise is the in-house module, if the watch were to be kept running continuously, a correction of a single day would be required just once in every 122 years.

Surrounding the displays, the surface of the dial plate has been finished with a spectacular shimmering “bris de verre” decoration, and off to the left a beautiful shooting star complements the star shaped gear opposite, which is visible through the partially open worked dial, offering a glimpse of the movement within.

A sapphire caseback reveals the self winding Calibre 11DA17-MP and the solid 22Kt gold oscillating weight which has a deeply engraved ‘Fleurisanne’ motif. Here again the finishing throughout is superb, and from its two barrels it delivers a minimum of 62 hours power reserve, beating at a lively 28’800 vib/h.

Bedecked in diamonds, the Récital 23 Miss Audrey by Bovet 1822 is a conversation stopping timepiece which is breathtaking in its refined magnificence, and with a blue alligator leather strap which complements the starry dial and sets it all off, it is an exclusive and luxurious hand manufactured ladies watch, with a presence of classical opulence on the wrist.