Charting New Territory

It is hard to believe that it was only a little more than a year ago when the Automatique was first introduced. In that short span of time it has come to symbolize the very spirit of Biver watchmaking, with its emphasis on thoughtful design, artisanal craftsmanship, and unbridled creativity. Now, as Dubai Watch Week 2025 begins, we are excited to announce a new collection of Automatique watches that push these principles even further and expand the palette of our watchmaking art.

From the beginning, one of the Automatique’s greatest strengths has been its pared-down, nowhere-to-hide design. This does away with unnecessary elements in order to allow the smallest details to shine, inviting the wearer to lean in and admire the watch closely, as well as to allow each Automatique to share its unique personality over time, rather than being fully understood at a glance. These new models continue that approach, with new interpretations of traditional techniques and fresh natural materials taking center stage.

Two of the new models offer new interpretations of the classic metal-dialed Automatique. The Automatique Two-Tone combines a 18k yellow gold case with a dial made from a special white gold alloy called PD210, which has a high palladium content and a warm undertones (especially when it is brushed, giving it even more depth and texture). This is the first time an Automatique has had a two-tone look, executed here in a more subtle, understated manner. The second new watch, the Automatique Clous de Paris, fits a platinum case with a rich blue-colored dial that features special Clous de Paris guilloché (another Automatique first). Rather than the traditional execution of this pattern, we have opted for a tapering pattern that gets smaller as it approaches the center of the dial, echoing the sunray finish that surrounds it. It is a clean, modern look achieved using traditional techniques – and it is distinctive in the Automatique lineup, too.

Hard stone dials have always been an important expression of Biver watchmaking, with their almost spiritual connection to nature and the expert craftsmanship required to execute them to such a high standard. The warm-hued Oeil de Fer and mahogany obsidian pair perfectly with 18k yellow gold and 18k rose gold, respectively, with each case metal bringing out the natural undertones in the stones themselves. These two stones are rarely seen in watchmaking, but they have bold personalities that work perfectly when complemented by three hands and little more.

Turning the volume up a bit, there are also two brightly-colored stones being added to the collection, blue quartzite and lavender jade. The former resembles the surface of an icy lake, with cool colors and bright white veins, while the latter has a soft, semi-matte finish in a blush color reminiscent of a cherry blossom. In another Automatique first, these are also available with the addition of gemstone hour markers – diamonds or sapphires for the quartzite and diamonds for the lavender jade. These stones are invisibly set and add yet another dimension to the stone dials, offering an interplay of different natural materials – stones, gems, and gold – in each unique timepiece.

Finally, there are the Automatique Grey Enamel and Bordeaux Enamel, the first enamel-dialed Automatique models available worldwide. Each of the two grand feu enamel dials is paired with a 3N yellow gold case that really brings out the subtle richness of the dials themselves. They have a very fine texture to them that is the result of countless hours of hand work that goes into each one, with the enamel delicately layered bit by bit, with multiple firings at temperatures of hundreds of degrees setting each one. Luminous material has also been added to the hands and hour markers in an unusual burst of sportiness on the otherwise elegant watches. These dials are produced by our partners at Les Emailleurs de la Cité, who make each one by hand using traditional methods, despite the thoroughly modern design.

Together, these watches represent a particular approach to the Automatique collection – and to Biver’s house watchmaking style more generally. Ours is a watchmaking that respects and values tradition without feeling bound by it, that looks to nature for ultimate inspiration, and that pushes this centuries-old art into the future.