Jean-Claude Biver Of Hublot, Blancpain, And Omega Fame To Start New Watch Brand (Video)

Credits: Article and images by Elizabeth Doerr @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2022/05/18/jean-claude-biver-of-hublot-blancpain-and-omega-fame-to-start-new-watch-brand-video/

Watches and Wonders 2022 started out strong for the Quill & Pad team as we were invited to a private chat at the Four Seasons hotel with Jean-Claude Biver, one of the most influential and important personalities in modern watchmaking. Biver, now 73 years of age, is embarking on what is probably a last hurrah: a watch brand with his own name on it, supported by and together with his son, Pierre, who is 22 years old.

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Biver officially retired (or not) in January of 2019, but he has not been outside the spotlight in the subsequent years, becoming the subject of one of Phillips’ high-profile auctions – “Jean-Claude Biver: A Retrospective” – among other things.

Jean-Claude Biver discusses his new brand on The Watches TV

When the Quill & Pad team turned up at the Four Seasons for our interview with Biver, he was wearing the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain No. 1 in platinum seen in Phillips “Retrospective,” using his wrist to send a message about his future plans, which include founding an ultra high-end, handmade brand in 2022 that aims to have its own movements. “And I do not want to repeat anything I’ve already done,” he told us in his typically energetic manner.

Biver’s plan includes introducing a watch next year and already being able to produce and deliver 30-35 pieces. He also revealed he had already recruited three constructors, who I imagine are already hard at work. “These won’t be a copy of the past,” he told us, “but like past masters would work today.”

“It is a way of making his legacy exist in time,” Pierre added, meaning his father’s legacy.

Our pals at The Watches TV did a great video interview with father and son during the week, which explains everything in more detail and in the gentlemen’s own words. Please enjoy the passionate words here!