Miss Audrey convertible watch, Bovet; dress, Fendi. Photo: Vaughan Treyvellan
At the dawn of the 19th century, Edouard Bovet laid the foundations for a house that would become synonymous with fine watchmaking. Between Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) in China to London and their hometown Fleurier in the Swiss state of Neuchâtel, the Bovet family created an inventive spirit steeped in opulence and skilled craftsmanship.
Today, this appreciation for horology finds itself in the hands of another family. After Pascal Raffy acquired Bovet in 2001, he not only restored its former glory but once again turned the brand into a family affair. “My earliest memories of fine timepieces were seeing them on the wrist of my father,” shares Audrey Raffy, vice president of Bovet since 2022. “I was fascinated by them – the constant movement of the tourbillon, the sweeping second hand, the subtle movements of the cogs and springs and so on.” Her passion for haute horlogerie continued through the years. After graduating with a juris doctorate degree from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, she joined the family business, a move that felt more than natural but has certainly not been easy. “When you have the privilege of working to build your family legacy, your level of responsibility dramatically increases,” she says. “The professional and personal aspects of your life become intertwined, and the dynamic and level of involvement you must maintain in the daily operations of the business changes.”
Orbis Mundi watch in 18ct red gold with alligator strap, Bovet; dress, The Attico at Ounass. Photo: Vaughan Treyvellan
The notion of family is a value that her father has ingrained into the house since its acquisition. “We think together, disagree together, laugh together, sometimes we travel together, but ultimately, we have a cooperative and creative relationship that is priceless.” This aversion to absolute commercialization and penchant…
