Laurent Ferrier, the highly regarded independent watchmaker, has just announced the appointment of a new CEO, replacing Olivier Muller.

Mr Muller, who was CEO of Laurent Ferrier since its founding, will be replaced by Sylvère Demonsais. Mr Demonsais was most recently CFO at De Grisogono, where he joined during a period of restructuring which began when the current owners took over last year. Before that he was in charge of sales at Greubel Forsey. In the three years since it was established Laurent Ferrier has become known for the high quality of construction and finishing in its timepieces, namely the Galet Micro-Rotor and the Galet Tourbillon. With Mr Demonsais’ background, this may indicate the company is gearing up for its next stage of development. – SJX

Executed in the ornate style characteristic of Bovet, Fleurier Amadeo 7-day Skeleton Tourbillon is the brand’s first skeleton tourbillon, featuring a double face, as well as the trademark Bovet convertible case. 

Bovet watches are finely made, elaborately decorated and expensive looking. Launched just earlier this year, the Fleurier Amadeo 7-day Skeleton Tourbillon exemplifies that philosophy. Like several other Bovet watches, the Fleurier Amadeo Skeleton Tourbillon has twin faces, each with its own set of hands; though both sets of hands tell the same time.

The more subtle side has a black guilloche dial above the highly engraved movement. Fleurisanne engraving, a style of relief engraving from the town Fleurier where Bovet is based, decorates the plate under and around the dial. A simple detail that is almost lost amidst the engraving is the beautifully bevelled steel chapter ring securing the dial.

But it is on the other face where the engraver, who is no doubt talented, lets his talents run wild. Exposed in its full glory, the plate is covered in a skilfully executed floral motif, with blued steel serpentine hands for the time. 

Aesthetic preferences aside – there is an ever so slight nouveau riche feel to this watch – the movement deserves high marks for the detail lavished on its decoration.

Both the wheels and flanks of the plate reveal careful finishing as well

Made by Bovet’s sister company Dimier 1738 (formerly STT or Progress Watch), the movement is hand-wound and has a seven day power reserve. It has a three-quarter plate construction, on both sides, with the tourbillon visible at six. Held up by a flat, black-polished steel bridge with angled edges, the tourbillon is almost incongruous in its simplicity.

At 44 mm this is a sizeable watch, made even larger by the extravagant decor. It features the signature Bovet Amadeo case, which allows the watch to be easily converted into a pocket watch by pressing the twin buttons on either side of the crown. That removes the strap, so the watch head can be fitted into the pocket watch case, which is included. This is also how the watch can be worn with either side facing up, all that needs to be done is to remove and flip the strap over before reattaching it. While the movement ornamentation may be too much for some, there is no doubt much skill and effort was put into decorating this watch, and it shows. This looks expensive. And so it is not surprising that it retails for S$315,400 (~US$250,000) in rose gold and S$332,000 (~US$263,000) in white gold, which are Singapore prices inclusive of 7% tax. – SJX