"Sergio" Split-Second Chronograph

Making its first appearance in 2010 jointly with the Amadeo® case, the BOVET by Pininfarina Collection has already featured three exclusive tourbillon timepieces (OTTANTA®, OTTANTADUE and OTTANTATRE) as well as a chronograph (Cambiano) available in many different versions.

The special ties that link the famous Italian design studio with the Swiss Manufacture have given life to a family of contemporary and sporty timepieces which has been particularly well received by collectors of fine watchmaking and enthusiasts of refined design.

Four years after the launch of the Tourbillon Ottanta, the “Sergio” Split-Second Chronograph will delight aficionados of both camps eagerly anticipating this new wonder.

The story of this new timepiece began with the presentation, at the last Geneva Motor Show, of the “Sergio” concept car designed by Pininfarina on Ferrari base. It was named after Sergio Pininfarina, the president of the family business for 40 years, and was a fitting tribute for the man behind the most beautiful designs in the automotive history. Since this ultra-sporty vehicle symbolizes sixty years of shared passion between Pininfarina and Ferrari, Paolo Pininfarina felt the need to design a matching timepiece, and assigned its development and manufacturing to the artisans of DIMIER 1738. In a reference to the car’s high-performance specification, Paolo Pininfarina and Pascal Raffy with their teams proposed a timepiece with outstanding characteristics, perfectly in keeping with the perceived style and emotion of the vehicle.

This split-seconds chronograph, also known as the “Sergio”, shares the same refinement, reliability and engineering virtuosity of its namesake. The movement is a self-winding mechanical chronograph of unrivalled robustness. Giving the assurance of perfect timekeeping, it features a small-second, a 30 minute counter and a power-reserve indicator. As its name implies, it is capable of measuring any number of intermediate times, a function particularly sought-after in the world of motor sport. The push-pieces positioned on either side of the crown fulfill their normal functions, respectively start and stop for the first, and reset for the second.

To activate the split-seconds function, a third push-piece, often frowned upon because it detracts from the symmetry of the timepiece, is required. The artisans of BOVET designed a split-second push-piece coaxial to the crown. This solution does not detract from the harmonious balance of the case and locates the push-piece in an optimal position for rapid and precise manipulations.

The aesthetic codes unique to the collection are much in evidence. The Pininfarina team has dressed the chronograph with sporty and elegant lines, achieving perfection in matching the strong identity of the collection of the timepieces with the one of the concept car. As a result, they achieved perfection in matching the strong identity of the collection of timepieces with the 60-year success story of the Italian sports car.

After approving the specification in terms of its technical conformity, the Dimier design office in collaboration with the Pininfarina design team released the timepiece for production to the Manufacture’s different workshops. As was the case for the predecessors of this “Sergio” Chronograph, the Manufacture’s dial-makers spared no effort. Their individual passion and expertise can be directly perceived in the emotion conveyed by the quality of finish of this dial.

Four parts of the dial have been lowered. One houses the 30 minute chronograph counter at 12 o’clock, while the small-seconds are positioned at 6 o’clock and the power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock. Meanwhile the fourth area, at 9 o’clock, accommodates the two names that make up this prestigious partnership: BOVET 1822 and Pininfarina. These two areas are perforated with multiple micro-apertures, a special feature virtually omnipresent on the timepiece’s motoring namesake. The highly specific shapes of these four areas carry a distinct echo of the vehicle’s aerodynamic elements. An anthracite ruthenium treatment enhances the volumes and different surface finishes of the dial for a striking effect. The different graduations are pad-printed in white. This combination of colours is known to guarantee optimal legibility regardless of light levels and ambient reflections.

Like all timepieces in the collection, the “Sergio” Chronograph features the Amadeo® convertible system which makes it possible to instantly convert it into a wristwatch, a miniature table clock or a sports timer. An optional chain adds the possibility of wearing this timepiece as a pocket watch.

Accurate, technically sophisticated, useful, reliable and robust, the “Sergio “ Split-Second Chronograph is available in a limited edition of 250 timepieces and is well equipped to win the hearts and minds of enthusiasts of fine engineering, be it under the hood of a racing car or, purring like clockwork, nestled comfortably on their wrist.