2023 witnessed the birth of a new star in the horological universe: Biver. Founded by the iconic Jean-Claude Biver and his son Pierre, the brand made an audacious debut with the highly complex Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater. This watch, with its intricate complications, immediately captured attention, embodying the core values of the brand: technical boldness and an avant-garde aesthetic approach. But today, Biver takes us back to the roots with the all-new Biver Automatic, a three-hand watch that, while appearing simple, conceals treasures of technicality and innovation.
A Lesson in Purity and Mastery
Jean-Claude Biver describes this new creation as “the most essential form of our art.” And indeed, the Biver Automatic does exactly what a watch is supposed to do: indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds. Three hands, a solid gold dial, and a case in platinum or rose gold. At first glance, it seems simple, almost minimalist, but it is in this sobriety that the brilliance of the watch lies.
At the heart of this elegance is a dial crafted in 18-carat gold, available in white or rose, with a subtle hand-finished touch. The gold indices, along with the finely beveled and satin-finished hands, play with the light, offering a fascinating depth. All of this is encased in an ultra-refined 39 mm case. The blend of textures, from the polished case to the brushed lugs, enhances this visual harmony and makes each model absolutely unique. Whether paired with a leather strap or Biver’s signature five-link bracelet, the Automatic exudes timeless elegance.
Automatic, But Not So Simple
Within its case lies a caliber just as fascinating as the watch’s sleek lines: the JCB-003 caliber, the result of close collaboration with Dubois Depraz. This automatic movement with a 22-carat gold micro-rotor offers a generous 65-hour power reserve. But for mechanical watch enthusiasts, the fun doesn’t stop there. The zero-reset mechanism allows for precise time-setting down to the second, a detail that will delight purists.
As Pierre Biver explains: “The JCB-003 Caliber is one of the pillars on which we are building the Biver brand.” And indeed, this solid foundation will allow the brand to develop new complications in the years to come, all while adhering to a philosophy of technical excellence and aesthetic perfection.
The Atelier Edition: Where Art Meets Technique
As if that weren’t enough, the Biver Automatic also comes in an exclusive series called the Atelier Edition. These watches feature dials made from precious stones, a tribute to the brand’s timeless philosophy. Among these exceptional pieces, two models stand out: one with a sandblasted black obsidian dial housed in a platinum case, and the other with a dark blue pietersite dial veined with white and orange, set in an 18-carat rose gold case. These natural stones add a poetic touch to these technical masterpieces.
A Strong Link Between Past and Future
The Biver Automatic is much more than just a three-hand watch. It is a statement. A watch that seems to say: “True sophistication lies in simplicity.” It paves the way for the brand’s future while paying homage to the most noble watchmaking traditions. In a sense, through this watch, Biver teaches us a lesson in humility: before reinventing watchmaking, one must first master the basics, just as a pianist must know their scales before improvising jazz.
With a starting price of 75,000 CHF for the rose gold version and 78,000 CHF for the platinum version, this watch is certainly not accessible to everyone. But for those seeking to combine technicality, history, and innovation in a single piece, the Biver Automatic becomes an obvious choice.
The Biver saga is just beginning, and with this Automatic, it promises to be as exciting as it is unpredictable.
