“The House of BOVET and The OWO share a commitment to hand craftsmanship, attention to detail, and excellence. We are honoured and proud to be the Official Timepiece of The OWO Residences. The renovation of this iconic building is one of the most significant projects ever completed in the UK, and the beautiful timepieces created by the House of BOVET perfectly commemorate the completion of this landmark endeavour.”
“There is an abundance of synergy between the House of BOVET and The OWO, which makes this exciting partnership so meaningful. BOVET’s 200-year history of impeccable handcraftsmanship and expertise in creating one-of-a-kind timepieces is reflected in the Old War Office building, an architectural masterpiece dating back 120 years, that will now be home to 85 entirely unique residences.”
For more than a century, The OWO (formerly the Old War Office) was closed to the public, designed to keep people out and its secrets in.
Now, thanks to the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding, The OWO is a new center for living, entertainment, and fine dining in the very heart of London. Renovated, remodelled, and reconfigured as London’s first Raffles Hotel and Residences, The OWO offers 120 guest rooms and suites and 85 residences, including a super luxurious penthouse, nine restaurants and three bars.
To celebrate the completion of the building and the incredible living spaces within, The OWO Residences has partnered with BOVET as its Official Timepiece.
Steeped in history and tradition, BOVET was founded in London and at the same time registered in Fleurier in 1822. London is therefore a historically important place for the Maison. Since 1822, BOVET has been focused on handcrafting the most beautiful timepieces the world has ever seen.
Each of the owners of the 10 most luxurious residences within The OWO, including the outstanding penthouse, will be gifted a specially created, handcrafted solid 18K red gold BOVET timepiece, produced, hand-engraved and hand-assembled at the Home of BOVET, a 14th century castle located in the Swiss Jura mountains.
The 18K red gold cases of the timepieces are decorated with a hand-engraved “egg and dart” motif found throughout The OWO property, while the BOVET bow at 12 o’clock is hand-engraved with a marble shell motif, visible on the fireplaces and moldings. The unique dial is patterned after the Rose Ceiling above the Grand Staircase of The OWO.
The following quote from Winston Churchill is engraved on the back of the case:
“We Shape Our Buildings, Thereafter They Shape Us.”
For more than a century, The OWO (formerly the Old War Office) was closed to the public, designed to keep people out and its secrets in.
Now, thanks to the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding, The OWO is a new center for living, entertainment, and fine dining in the very heart of London. Renovated, remodelled, and reconfigured as London’s first Raffles Hotel and Residences, The OWO offers 120 guest rooms and suites and 85 residences, including a super luxurious penthouse, nine restaurants and three bars.
To celebrate the completion of the building and the incredible living spaces within, The OWO Residences has partnered with BOVET as its Official Timepiece.
Steeped in history and tradition, BOVET was founded in London and at the same time registered in Fleurier in 1822. London is therefore a historically important place for the Maison. Since 1822, BOVET has been focused on handcrafting the most beautiful timepieces the world has ever seen.
Each of the owners of the 10 most luxurious residences within The OWO, including the outstanding penthouse, will be gifted a specially created, handcrafted solid 18K red gold BOVET timepiece, produced, hand-engraved and hand-assembled at the Home of BOVET, a 14th century castle located in the Swiss Jura mountains.
The 18K red gold cases of the timepieces are decorated with a hand-engraved “egg and dart” motif found throughout The OWO property, while the BOVET bow at 12 o’clock is hand-engraved with a marble shell motif, visible on the fireplaces and moldings. The unique dial is patterned after the Rose Ceiling above the Grand Staircase of The OWO.
The following quote from Winston Churchill is engraved on the back of the case:
“We Shape Our Buildings, Thereafter They Shape Us.”
The Project
BOVET and the Hinduja Group met by chance in Monaco, during the Formula 1 GP race, where BOVET was exhibiting its collection of fine timepieces. The Hinduja Group was looking for an extraordinary timepiece partner one that had a long tradition and was renowned for hand-craftsmanship and innovation — BOVET suited the project perfectly.
Committed to making The OWO Edition 19Thirty special, members of the BOVET team visited the site in its early days. They paid special attention to the unique handcrafted touches and artistic details in the building that celebrated the craftspeople that forged it more than a hundred years ago.
Drawing from these details, Mr. Raffy designed the timepiece and the crafting of the exclusive edition of 10 timepieces began.
In the BOVET manufacture, every timepiece is touched by many pairs of human hands – there are no assembly lines to be seen. Each case and bow of The OWO Special Edition are hand-engraved in BOVET’s atelier, taking more than 20 hours of intense handwork to complete.
A fitting tribute to The OWO, the 10-piece OWO Edition of the 19Thirty combines modern high-watchmaking with artisanal métiers d’art and painstaking attention to detail.
A Little OWO History
The Grade II* listed Old War Office building is steeped in history. Formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall (home to monarchs between 1530 – 1698), this architectural masterpiece has witnessed world-shaping events whilst influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Lord Kitchener held office. It also inspired Ian Fleming to write the James Bond series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division. The building has been used as a film location in five Bond films.
From young ministers, Lords and Ladies to actors and orators, the Old War Office was the workplace of these legendary figures:
- Lord Kitchener, face of the iconic “Your Country Needs You” campaign
- T.E. Lawrence, latterly known as “Lawrence of Arabia,” who served as a draughtsman
- Ian Fleming, creator of 007 James Bond and one-time Commander of Naval Intelligence during WWII
- Sir Winston Churchill, the iconic British Prime Minister
About The OWO
A new landmark destination for London, The OWO is a joint venture between the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding. The Grade II* listed, former Old War Office in Whitehall has been closed to the public for over a century and now, following a monumental six-year renovation, is set to open as The OWO in 2023. The iconic building will house the capital’s first Raffles hotel with 120 rooms and suites, nine restaurants and three bars, and a destination spa led by beauty and wellness brand, GUERLAIN, and movement and nutrition experts, PILLAR. The OWO will also comprise 85 private branded residences, seamlessly serviced by the Raffles Hotel, setting a new benchmark for luxury living for London. Residents will have access to over 30,000 sq. ft of amenities including a landscaped courtyard garden, private dining room, residents’ lounges, gym, wellness suite, cinema, games room, alongside the use of the Raffles pool and spa.
About The OWO
A new landmark destination for London, The OWO is a joint venture between the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding. The Grade II* listed, former Old War Office in Whitehall has been closed to the public for over a century and now, following a monumental six-year renovation, is set to open as The OWO in 2023. The iconic building will house the capital’s first Raffles hotel with 120 rooms and suites, nine restaurants and three bars, and a destination spa led by beauty and wellness brand, GUERLAIN, and movement and nutrition experts, PILLAR. The OWO will also comprise 85 private branded residences, seamlessly serviced by the Raffles Hotel, setting a new benchmark for luxury living for London. Residents will have access to over 30,000 sq. ft of amenities including a landscaped courtyard garden, private dining room, residents’ lounges, gym, wellness suite, cinema, games room, alongside the use of the Raffles pool and spa.
About BOVET
The House of BOVET is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces, artfully combining the most sophisticated mechanisms with the finest craftsmanship, employing artisanal techniques such as hand-finishing, hand-engraving, and miniature painting.
For more than 200 years, BOVET has handcrafted the finest timepieces, allowing collectors to experience what is the true pleasure of the luxury of time. To further ensure this excellence, owner Mr. Pascal Raffy has limited the House’s annual manufacture of handcrafted timepieces, respecting Swiss artisanal processes, exclusivity, and uniqueness.
Since Mr. Raffy became the owner of the House 22 years ago, his commitment has been to honor the watchmaking arts to continue to handcraft timepieces that fascinate and enthrall the most demanding collectors — all of this achieved combining decorative arts, innovation, and precision.
As The Guardian of Swiss Handcrafted Watchmaking, the House of BOVET insists on manufacturing nearly 100% of its components in-house, including movements, complications, hands, dials, cases, up to and including the hairspring and regulating organ, the beating heart of fine timepieces. The House of BOVET is recognized around the world as a leader in high watchmaking and is coveted by collectors everywhere.
For more than a century, The OWO (formerly the Old War Office) was closed to the public, designed to keep people out and its secrets in.
Now, thanks to the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding, The OWO is a new center for living, entertainment, and fine dining in the very heart of London. Renovated, remodelled, and reconfigured as London’s first Raffles Hotel and Residences, The OWO offers 120 guest rooms and suites and 85 residences, including a super luxurious penthouse, nine restaurants and three bars.
To celebrate the completion of the building and the incredible living spaces within, The OWO Residences has partnered with BOVET as its Official Timepiece.
Steeped in history and tradition, BOVET was founded in London and at the same time registered in Fleurier in 1822. London is therefore a historically important place for the Maison. Since 1822, BOVET has been focused on handcrafting the most beautiful timepieces the world has ever seen.
Each of the owners of the 10 most luxurious residences within The OWO, including the outstanding penthouse, will be gifted a specially created, handcrafted solid 18K red gold BOVET timepiece, produced, hand-engraved and hand-assembled at the Home of BOVET, a 14th century castle located in the Swiss Jura mountains.
The 18K red gold cases of the timepieces are decorated with a hand-engraved “egg and dart” motif found throughout The OWO property, while the BOVET bow at 12 o’clock is hand-engraved with a marble shell motif, visible on the fireplaces and moldings. The unique dial is patterned after the Rose Ceiling above the Grand Staircase of The OWO.
The following quote from Winston Churchill is engraved on the back of the case:
“We Shape Our Buildings, Thereafter They Shape Us.”
The Project
BOVET and the Hinduja Group met by chance in Monaco, during the Formula 1 GP race, where BOVET was exhibiting its collection of fine timepieces. The Hinduja Group was looking for an extraordinary timepiece partner one that had a long tradition and was renowned for hand-craftsmanship and innovation — BOVET suited the project perfectly.
Committed to making The OWO Edition 19Thirty special, members of the BOVET team visited the site in its early days. They paid special attention to the unique handcrafted touches and artistic details in the building that celebrated the craftspeople that forged it more than a hundred years ago.
Drawing from these details, Mr. Raffy designed the timepiece and the crafting of the exclusive edition of 10 timepieces began.
In the BOVET manufacture, every timepiece is touched by many pairs of human hands – there are no assembly lines to be seen. Each case and bow of The OWO Special Edition are hand-engraved in BOVET’s atelier, taking more than 20 hours of intense handwork to complete.
A fitting tribute to The OWO, the 10-piece OWO Edition of the 19Thirty combines modern high-watchmaking with artisanal métiers d’art and painstaking attention to detail.
A Little OWO History
The Grade II* listed Old War Office building is steeped in history. Formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall (home to monarchs between 1530 – 1698), this architectural masterpiece has witnessed world-shaping events whilst influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Lord Kitchener held office. It also inspired Ian Fleming to write the James Bond series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division. The building has been used as a film location in five Bond films.
From young ministers, Lords and Ladies to actors and orators, the Old War Office was the workplace of these legendary figures:
- Lord Kitchener, face of the iconic “Your Country Needs You” campaign
- T.E. Lawrence, latterly known as “Lawrence of Arabia,” who served as a draughtsman
- Ian Fleming, creator of 007 James Bond and one-time Commander of Naval Intelligence during WWII
- Sir Winston Churchill, the iconic British Prime Minister
About The OWO
A new landmark destination for London, The OWO is a joint venture between the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding. The Grade II* listed, former Old War Office in Whitehall has been closed to the public for over a century and now, following a monumental six-year renovation, is set to open as The OWO in 2023. The iconic building will house the capital’s first Raffles hotel with 120 rooms and suites, nine restaurants and three bars, and a destination spa led by beauty and wellness brand, GUERLAIN, and movement and nutrition experts, PILLAR. The OWO will also comprise 85 private branded residences, seamlessly serviced by the Raffles Hotel, setting a new benchmark for luxury living for London. Residents will have access to over 30,000 sq. ft of amenities including a landscaped courtyard garden, private dining room, residents’ lounges, gym, wellness suite, cinema, games room, alongside the use of the Raffles pool and spa.
About BOVET
The House of BOVET is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces, artfully combining the most sophisticated mechanisms with the finest craftsmanship, employing artisanal techniques such as hand-finishing, hand-engraving, and miniature painting.
For more than 200 years, BOVET has handcrafted the finest timepieces, allowing collectors to experience what is the true pleasure of the luxury of time. To further ensure this excellence, owner Mr. Pascal Raffy has limited the House’s annual manufacture of handcrafted timepieces, respecting Swiss artisanal processes, exclusivity, and uniqueness.
Since Mr. Raffy became the owner of the House 22 years ago, his commitment has been to honor the watchmaking arts to continue to handcraft timepieces that fascinate and enthrall the most demanding collectors — all of this achieved combining decorative arts, innovation, and precision.
As The Guardian of Swiss Handcrafted Watchmaking, the House of BOVET insists on manufacturing nearly 100% of its components in-house, including movements, complications, hands, dials, cases, up to and including the hairspring and regulating organ, the beating heart of fine timepieces. The House of BOVET is recognized around the world as a leader in high watchmaking and is coveted by collectors everywhere.
