Few figures in modern watchmaking embody both tradition and transformation like Jean-Claude Biver. From reviving Blancpain and Omega to redefining Hublot and Audemars Piguet, Biver has long stood at the crossroads of heritage and innovation. In 2023, he embarked on his most personal chapter yet—launching his own eponymous brand with his son, Pierre Biver, as a heartfelt tribute to a lifetime devoted to time, sound, and soul.

The inaugural creation of the brand, the Biver Carillon Tourbillon Minute Repeater, is a symphonic masterpiece of contemporary haute horlogerie. It marries classical craftsmanship with cutting-edge acoustic engineering, anchored by one of the most exalted complications in watchmaking: the carillon minute repeater. Unlike traditional minute repeaters, the carillon features three hammers striking three gongs on three distinct notes, producing a richer and more resonant tonal architecture. Often referred to as the "king of complications", it elevates the musicality of the chiming mechanism to an art form in its own right. Paired with a tourbillon regulator and an entirely hand-finished movement created in collaboration with Le Cercle des Horlogers, this timepiece is not only a technical tour de force but a poetic tribute to the emotional resonance of time.

The present example is Watch No. 1, the first piece produced after the original prototype—the very first customer-delivered Biver timepiece. The prototype, proudly offered by Phillips in 2023, achieved a remarkable result of CHF 1,270,000, signaling to collectors the significance of this new chapter in independent watchmaking. No. 1 thus represents a landmark—the tangible beginning of the Biver legacy. The brand has generously supplied an additional serial number plaque, engraved "No. 1" that can be installed at the request of the winning bidder.

Housed in hand-finished Grade 5 titanium, the case is sculptural, architectural, yet refined—its sharply defined flanks and satin-polished surfaces providing a dynamic counterpoint to the rich visual warmth of the dial. The dial itself is a marvel: a ring of silvered obsidian, a hard stone known to confer dynamism and optimism, encircles the openworked architecture. It is a material of striking visual energy and rare watchmaking application.

Offered by its original owner in like-new condition and accompanied by its complete original presentation set, the present “No. 1” Biver is more than a wristwatch. It is a statement of origin, a historical cornerstone, and a profoundly human creation—when a legend in the world of watches put his name on the dial, and his heart into every component.

Please note that following the purchase of the present lot, a complimentary service will be provided, including the fitting of the plaque “ Number 1”. In addition and following this service, Biver will offer an additional two years warranty. The winning bidder will be invited to a dinner with Mr. Biver and one night accommodation at Hotel La Reserve in Geneva at a date mutually agreed by both parties and a factory visit the following day. Flights are not included.

PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER