68 WATCHES & TIMEPIECES
THE OWO & THE HOUSE OF BOVET WHERE HERITAGE , INNOVATION , AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL COME TOGETHER
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 Dwellings , and Afterwards Our Dwellings Shape Us .”
THE PROJECT
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 1822 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 .
BOVET 1822 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 handcraftsmanship and innovation -- BOVET 1822 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 .
THE ART OF LUXURY Issue 59 2023