After an absence of several years, Boucheron makes a welcome return to BaselWorld to launch some intriguing and eye-catching timepieces. With its new collection entitled ‘Bestiare Seconde Folle’ the brand will certainly turn a few heads with its light-hearted depiction of the frog, chameleon and the owl that adorn the dials and bezels of the watches. Working with Girard-Perregaux, Boucheron has developed a new mechanical automatic movement on the base of Girard-Perregaux’ existing GP 4000 Calibre. The seconds counter on these timepieces is situated at 7 o’clock and is not a hand, but a disc that makes a complete revolution in sixty seconds.
The 42 mm watch case is in 18 carat white gold and there are six models based on the three animal themes. The ‘Bestiare Seconde Folle’ Grenouille (frog) is set with diamonds (1.0 carats), the dial is of chalcedony and the frog and the water lily, which spread over on the bezel, comprise 350 precious stones (3.0 carats). The bracelet is in pink galuchat.
The ‘Chouette’ (owl) enjoys the same Calibre automatic movement and is set with 0.8 carats of diamonds. The dial is of aventurine and the animal is set with a total of 378 precious stones (3.3 carats), which like its brother frog overflows on the watch’s bezel.
The bracelet is of mauve satin.

Something different …
For the more conservative connoisseur, Boucheron introduces the Reflet XL Seconde Folle, a re-interpretation of the iconic rectangular watch with interchangeable bracelets introduced by the brand back in 1947. Once again, using the specially created Girard-Perregaux automatic movement, this timepiece is more graphic in styling with vertical fluting on the dial, a date aperture at 1 o’clock and an oval turning seconds disc at 7 o’clock with its trompe l’oeil depiction of a seconds hand. This Reflet XL is available in either stainless steel or 18 carat rose gold.
All in all, a fascinating and creative collection of high quality, innnovative timepieces for Boucheron’s return to the hallowed halls of BaselWorld.


Source: Europa Star April-May 2009 Magazine Issue