The New Bovet Récital 31, a Very Intuitive Perpetual Calendar

The perpetual calendar is one of the most fascinating watchmaking complications. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Capable of automatically accounting for irregular month lengths and leap years, it is a mechanical marvel, yet one that often requires patience and caution when adjustments are necessary. With the new Récital 31, Bovet joins those who address exactly that issue, creating a perpetual calendar that impresses with its looks and is genuinely pleasant to own and use.

More modern looks

The new model joins a prestigious series of calendar and astronomical watches from the Fleurier manufacture. Over the years, Bovet has explored the genre through several creations, including the annual calendar Récital 20 Astérium, the Récital 22 Grand Récital, and the more recent Récital 21 Retrograde Perpetual Calendar. While Bovet watches often embrace spectacular displays and highly theatrical presentations, the Récital 31 is more focused, more contemporary and, perhaps surprisingly, more approachable, as if taking cues from the Récital 30.

The Récital 31 is housed in Bovet’s signature 44mm Dimier case, 13.3mm thick, with cleaner lines and a more balanced overall profile than some earlier members of the family. Available in either grade 5 titanium or 18k red gold, it is topped by a box sapphire crystal, just like the Récital 30. The crystal rises high above the bezel and allows light to constantly play with the dial’s surfaces, giving the watch a dynamic appearance. The watch certainly has a presence but wears very comfortably, and the real appeal of the Récital 31 lies in its usability. Water resistance is 30m.

The Perpetual calendar display

One of the common complaints among perpetual calendar owners is the corrector pushers used to adjust the indications. Usually, they require consulting manuals to locate the right one and to avoid mistakes. Bovet’s solution is very simple. The correctors for the date, day, month and moon phase are clearly labelled on the caseback. It sounds like a small detail, yet it transforms the owner’s experience and makes setting the watch a bit easier. As expected, there are precautions for setting the perpetual indications (9 pm – 4 am) and for the moon phase (4 am – 8 am).

On the dial, the indications are easy to locate in their highlighted, rounded apertures and read (day at 9 o’clock, month opposite, leap year at 12), with the spherical precision moon phase for the celestial dimension. The retrograde date indicated by the serpentine hand adds animation and visual interest. Time is by the central hour and minutes hands, retaining the familiar design, with a dotted minutes track on the dial’s periphery. The track is marked at 5-minute intervals with the digits and indices for the hours closer to the dial’s centre.

Unlike some QPs displays that feel crowded, the Récital 31 is remarkably legible. There is a natural flow to the display that instantly becomes familiar. The watch is offered in three colour combinations, blue, red and black.

A new in-house movement

The Récital 31 is powered by a new manufacture movement developed specifically for this reference. Comprising 469 components, it is built with 39 jewels, operates at 21,600 vibrations/hour frequency and delivers a five-day power reserve, with a helpful indicator on the back of the movement.

Since we mention the back, the movement side is where the watch feels most authentically Bovet. Every surface appears carefully considered, every bridge richly decorated, and every component finished with the sort of attention that has become increasingly rare, even at this level of watchmaking. For the Récital 31 (and Récital 32), the manufacture has even created a new decorative motif, étoiles carrées, or “square stars”. According to Bovet, the engraving process alone takes more than 15 hours.

Availability & Price

As mentioned, the Récital 31 offers three colour options: blue, red and black. Each is paired with a matching rubber strap for enhanced comfort and to highlight the watch’s contemporary character. While some might expect alligator leather on a high complication such as this, the rubber strap feels entirely appropriate. It makes the watch easier to wear and supports the underlying idea that this perpetual calendar should be enjoyed regularly rather than reserved for special occasions. That said, as you can see in our photos, you can still opt for a classic alligator strap. Each colour is limited to 60 numbered pieces. Prices are CHF 102,000 in titanium and CHF 122,000 in 18K red gold.

For more information, please visit www.bovet.com.