Jean-Claude and Pierre Biver, the father-and-son duo behind the Biver brand, launched their journey into watchmaking with the Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater in 2023. This complex watch set the stage for the brand’s design language and approach to horology. Now, they introduce the Biver Automatique, a three-hand automatic watch designed for daily wear. This timepiece combines elements from the past with a modern aesthetic, establishing a foundation for future Biver watches and complications. It appears simple at first glance but reveals its complexity steadily, rewarding patience and curiosity.
The Biver Automatique is available in two case materials: platinum and 18k rose gold. Each case measures 39 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness, offering a classic size that suits various wrist types. The polished bezel and brushed lugs complement the straight and circular finishes on the dials, creating a cohesive design. The case features a display caseback with sapphire crystal, allowing a view of the intricate movement inside. With a water resistance of 80 meters (8 ATM), the watch is suitable for everyday wear. The lug-to-lug distance is 47.55 mm, and the lug width is 19mm, ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist.
The dial of the Biver Automatique is available in solid 18k white or rose gold, matching the case material. It features hand-applied finishes that give it depth and dimensionality. The applied 18k gold markers and matching hands, both with anthracite finishes, enhance legibility. The dial also includes an applied and black-polished ‘Biver’ signature at 12 o’clock and an applied 18k gold railroad track around the perimeter. As the light changes, the dial reveals its complexity and richness, offering a dynamic visual experience. The Atelier Series introduces stone dials, such as sanded obsidian in a platinum case and Pietersite in a rose gold case, adding a unique touch to the collection.
The Biver Automatique is powered by the brand new calibre JCB-003, developed in collaboration with Dubois Depraz. This automatic movement features a 22k gold micro-rotor and can be hand-wound via the crown. It offers a 65-hour power reserve and a frequency of 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz). The movement includes a zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand, allowing precise time-setting. The bridges are adorned with guilloché, anglage, and black polishing, showcasing the brand’s attention to detail. The clou de Paris guilloché patterns on the bridges vary in scale, radiating from the micro-rotor and adding a sense of dynamism to the movement’s appearance.
The Biver Automatique comes with a leather strap featuring a platinum or rose gold pin buckle, matching the case material. Additionally, a five-link bracelet is available in either platinum or rose gold. These options provide versatility, allowing the wearer to choose between a classic leather strap or a more robust bracelet.
The Biver Automatique is available in various configurations, with prices starting at CHF 75,000 for the rose gold model with a leather strap. The platinum version with a bracelet and sanded obsidian dial is priced at CHF 121,000.
