Patented Amadéo® convertible system
Utterly unique coach-built “Boat Tail” with 100% bespoke BOVET timepieces into the dashboard
Collaborative exploration of luxury, design and culture between BOVET, Rolls-Royce
Equipped with an incredible five days of power reserve
A never before seen mounting system and extensive testing (vibration, temperature, humidity, and even automotive crash tests)
Rolls-Royce Coachbuilder and the BOVET custom timepieces represent contemporary patronage in its truest form
TIMELESS PASSION – A TRUE COLLABORATION WITH BOVET
Since the beginning of motorized vehicles, time and the automobile have been inextricably linked. Timepieces have always had a place in the world of the automobile, either to measure speed over distance or to ensure that the owner always had the correct time.
But watches and cars have never been as linked as they are now. Today, for the first time ever, two tourbillon timepieces from BOVET have been engineered, designed, and developed in parallel with the production of a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce. Using the revolutionary and patented Amadeo system, these timepieces can transform from a wristwatch to a pocket/pendant watch to a desk clock and… that’s right, a dashboard clock.
Born in the mind and heart of a Rolls-Royce and BOVET collector, the concept was to design and produce a bespoke Rolls-Royce and two unique BOVET timepieces, one for himself and one for his wife, that go hand in glove. Three years in development, BOVET and Rolls-Royce accomplished something never realized before in either industry.
Bespoke Timepieces and Dashboard Mounting System Developed in Tandem with Coach-Built Car
THE MOUNTING MECHANISM
The holder mechanism, designed completely by BOVET, started from a blank sheet of paper, as nothing like this had ever been produced before. The designers and engineers in BOVET focused on adapting the patented Amadeo convertible system, which was introduced in 2010 and is tried and proven, as the base of the system.
There was a tremendous amount of back and forth between BOVET and Rolls-Royce. So many things had to be taken into consideration – any vibration from the car had to be isolated from the timepieces or compensated for, no noise could emit from timepieces, and the system had to be simple, easy to use, and, above all, safe and secure.
The solution they chose was to keep all the mechanical parts of the system on the outside of the dashboard. Usually in anything similar, the fixation system never moves, and the movable piece just slots in, like sliding a CD into a CD player. Here it is exactly the opposite – in the dashboard is simply the place for the holder, which is equipped with all the mechanical pieces.
PERFECT FOR A TOURBILLON
The fact that these timepieces will be mounted into the dashboard in the vertical position means that the tourbillon was absolutely necessary to maintain the precision that BOVET demands.
The timepieces have five full days of power reserve as well, making sure that the timepieces won’t wind down. The “standard” power reserve today is 48 hours, but it has always been BOVET desire to meet the needs of its clients with usable and robust power reserves.
As a manufacture with in-house production, the emphasis has been placed on steadily increasing the length of power reserve, without adding to the bulk and thickness of the timepiece.
3,000 HOURS & THE COMPLETELY UNIQUE BOVET TIMEPIECES
The conservative estimate of the total number of hours that went into this entire project is 3,000 hours, including the design, the engineering, the sculptures, the miniature painting, the marquetry, the development of bespoke movements and cases, and more.
PAIRING OF INDUSTRY TITANS
Rolls-Royce and BOVET working together in this way is the perfect pairing. Committed to complete client satisfaction, both companies share so many values – excellence, precision, heritage, performance, design artistry, artisanal attention to detail, and innovation. Collaborating on such game-changing timepieces and dashboard display system has raised the bar for both industries.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE BOAT TAIL
“Rolls-Royce Boat Tail challenges the notion of what a motor car is and creates a new definition of what a motor car means,” says Alex Innes, Head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design, Rolls-Royce. “Boat Tail exists far beyond a mere means of transport. It is not just the method to reach a destination, but the destination itself. It is a concept of extraordinary scope, resulting in a work of art of historical significance.” In a similar way, the two unique timepieces accomplish the basic goal, timekeeping, but are more about appreciating beauty, enjoying the journey, and sharing the amazing experience.
