Our History & Heritage

1797 – 1839

Establishment of the BOVET Dynasty

1797

Edouard Bovet was born in Fleurier. He was the son of Jean-Frédéric Bovet. He followed his father’s footsteps and became a master-watchmaker.

1818

Edouard Bovet left London April 20 aboard the Orwell, ship of the “Compagnie des Indes,” on a voyage to China. He arrived in Canton, on August 16, where he quickly sold four watches for the sum of CHF 10,000 representing the equivalent of one million dollars today.

1822

The House of BOVET, a family business, was registered on May 1st, in London. Read more... At that time, Edouard Bovet was residing in Canton, while his brothers, Alphonse and Frederic were in London, and Gustave was managing the workshops in Fleurier. Together, they established BOVET to be a leader in watchmaking for its exceptional level of decorations and chronometry. Edouard Bovet is recognized as the founder of the transparent case-back. The transparency revealed the peerless expertise of the Duplex escapement that equipped the BOVET movement until the arrival of the first Swiss lever escapements.

1835

The CHÂTEAU DE MÔTIERS was built in the 14th century, overlooking le Val-de-Travers and Fleurier. It was sold to Henri-François Dubois-Bovet.

1840 – 2000

BOVET’s Golden Age

1840

Frédéric Bovet left London and returned home to Fleurier, where he managed the watchmaking workshops that at the time employed 175 people.

1849

Edouard Bovet died in Fleurier at the age of 52, leaving his legacy in China. At that time, BOVET was a synonym of watch for the celestial (Chinese people), and used as a trade currency.

1855

During the Universal Exhibition held in Paris, BOVET won the gold medal in the category ‘luxury’ for a pair of enameled watches commissioned by the Emperor of China.

2001 – Present

The Pinnacle of the Watchmaking Arts

2001

Pascal Raffy, a passionate collector of Haute Horology, became sole owner of BOVET Fleurier SA.

2006

Pascal Raffy bought the Castle of Môtiers, classified as a historical monument, from the State of Neuchâtel, and established the first BOVET’s assembly workshop. To continue the legacy of the Bovet brothers, he soon integrated the DIMIER 1738 Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale and BOVET Manufacture of dials.