Jean Claude Biver. I guess everyone knows him. Still, to summarize; The Swiss businessman, born in Luxembourg in 1949, is known as one of the most influential names in modern watchmaking with his contributions to the luxury watch industry.
Biver's family moved to Switzerland when he was just 10 years old. I think this can be considered the first step that changed the fate of not only Biver but also the watchmaking industry. After his university education, Jean Claude Biver met Jacques Piguet, the manager of the movement manufacturer Frederic Piguet. The crossing of his path with Georges Golay, the CEO of Audemars Piguet at that time, through Piguet, also paved the way for Biver to step into the world of watches as an executive.
Biver's iconic moves played an active role in determining the new limits of today's watchmaking industry. Bringing James Bond and Omega together, arranging brand ambassador agreements with famous names such as Michael Schumacher and Cindy Crawford, purchasing the rights of Blancpain and leading its rebirth, then selling the brand to the Swatch Group and changing the fate of Hublot by making it one of the leaders in the luxury-sports watch segment, playing an active role in the restructuring of famous brands such as TAG Heuer and Zenith and helping them regain their successful brand image today, contributions to other brands in the LVMH group and many more. Without Biver, it would have been easy for the balances in Swiss watchmaking to have shifted in completely different directions. Not to forget, Biver produces more than 5 tons of cheese per year on his farm, which is also located in the Swiss Alps.
Pierre Biver, the youngest son of the family, a watch enthusiast like his father, is yet to strengthen his connections under his father's wing, but it seems that he will soon take assertive steps independently. Now we are faced with the newest venture of these two, Jean Claude Biver and his son.
The story begins with the excitement of the news of the registration of the name Biver. Even when there is no design or detail about the watches, the sound of the name Biver entering the watch industry with manufacturer identity is naturally quite loud. After all, the idea that the watch(s) that a living watchmaker who has worked in dozens of brands will produce with his own name will attract as much attention as his legend is instilled in all watch enthusiasts through the mainstream watch media.
Things get a little more confusing when the first model, the Biver Carillon Tourbillon, is introduced. Exactly after this point, my article also turns into a more subjective one. The Biver Carillon Tourbillon was outstanding on paper. Carillon Tourbillon, is the product of a 22-year-old young and dynamic mind, and a watch guru who has devoted 50 years to the watchmaking industry and combined his career full of success with his dreams. Not to mention the perfection of being as close as a phone call to the best in the industry for every detail about the case, hands, movement components, and watch. A micro-rotor winding automatic tourbillon minute repeater caliber that pushes the limits of high watchmaking. So far, everything gives signs that a watch that will become one of the legends is on the way before it is introduced. But, when the model comes to light, this is what welcomed us:
I can't remember the last time I tried so hard to like a watch. When I look at the details that make up the watch one by one, everything seems to be perfect, but the incompatibility of the pieces as a whole hurt my eyes at one point. The expectation created by the name Biver and the inadequacy of the result, in my opinion, maybe reinforces my disappointment. The watch, which has a very characteristic bracelet design, measures 42mm x 13.7mm and has titanium and/or 18K pink gold case options. Why aren't their stainless steel, white gold, or platinum options? How does such a lively bracelet harmonize with such a basic case? Was there a need to further emphasize the feeling of fullness created by the tourbillon balance and minute indices with the dials made of sodalite or obsidian? I do not know. Before I forget, let me add that the list price of the watch was announced as 550,000 USD. Finally, the glamor of the box of the watch, which also includes a winder inside, is one of the most impressive details.
With the announcement that the first deliveries will be made in the autumn of 2023, I am even more surprised to learn that the prototype Biver watch with number zero was sold for 1 million Swiss Francs at the auction held at the Phillips auction house in the past weeks. Next to the watch was a bottle of 1949 Château d'Yquem as a gift! Biver is a clever guy, maybe he bought the watch.
In 1999, Richard Mille's first model was extraordinary for the industry. Today, we continue to watch with admiration how RM watches left their mark in the segment they created. Well, do you think Biver will be able to do the same?
