Biver Automatique Yellow Gold

Maison Biver, a relatively recent entrant onto the high-end watchmaking stage established in 2023, has expanded its Automatique collection with two notable additions featuring 18k yellow gold cases. These new timepieces, the Automatique Yellow Gold and the Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition, represent a further exploration of the brand's core philosophy: drawing inspiration from horological tradition while forging a distinct path forward with contemporary materials and design sensibilities. Both watches showcase the brand’s newly developed Calibre JCB-003 movement and offer different interpretations of the three-hand watch format.



The name Biver carries considerable weight in the watch industry, primarily due to the extensive career of co-founder Jean-Claude Biver. His journey began in 1975 at Audemars Piguet, where his passion for watchmaking ignited. A pivotal moment came in 1981 when he, alongside Jacques Piguet, purchased the dormant Blancpain name. At a time dominated by quartz technology, Biver championed mechanical watchmaking, leading Blancpain to develop six significant mechanical complications within a decade, contributing substantially to the revival of traditional haute horlogerie.



Following his success at Blancpain, Jean-Claude Biver joined the Swatch Group in 1992. His tenure there included significant roles, most notably revitalizing Omega, before he departed in 2004 for a new challenge. That challenge was Hublot, where Biver took the Helm and dramatically reshaped the brand's identity through bold designs and innovative material combinations, famously captured in the "Art of Fusion" concept. He introduced novel techniques, such as developing scratch-resistant gold alloys. After Hublot's acquisition by LVMH, Biver remained involved, contributing to the group's portfolio of watch brands.



The creation of Maison Biver in 2023 marked a new chapter, a venture embarked upon with his son, Pierre Biver. This father-son partnership aims to blend Jean-Claude's decades of industry experience and vision with Pierre's fresh perspective, focusing on creating highly crafted, emotionally resonant timepieces. The brand operates from a restored three-story farmhouse dating back to the 1890s, located in the Swiss village of Givrins, strategically positioned between Geneva and the Vallée de Joux, embodying a connection to watchmaking heritage.



Maison Biver emphasizes the concept of infusing a "soul" into their watches. This involves collaborating with skilled craftspeople – referred to by the brand as "miracle hands" – alongside their own master watchmakers. The goal is to produce objects that are not merely precise timekeeping instruments but also carry emotional weight, reflecting aspects of the past, present, and future. The JCB seal found on their watches serves as an internal hallmark, signifying adherence to the maison's specific quality and finishing standards.



The introduction of yellow gold into the Biver collection holds personal significance for Jean-Claude Biver. He has stated that the metal brings back memories of his early days as a vintage watch collector and, more sentimentally, reminds him of the first watch he received from his grandparents, which was yellow gold. This personal connection informs the choice of material for these two new Automatique models, marking the first time Biver timepieces have been offered in this classic precious metal.



The Automatique line itself serves as Biver's interpretation of the fundamental three-hand wristwatch. It aims to provide a foundation for the brand's aesthetic style while incorporating technical innovation. The launch of the Automatique collection in 2024 also marked the debut of the Calibre JCB-003, the brand's first modular movement, specifically designed for this line and engineered with future complications in mind.



Focusing on the first new release, the Automatique Yellow Gold presents a refined, almost vintage-inspired aesthetic within the Biver framework. It seeks to explore the versatility of yellow gold through careful finishing and design. The watch is positioned as an artistic take on a traditional format, subtly evolving the brand's visual identity. Pierre Biver mentioned envisioning this model as something that could feasibly have existed decades ago, fitting into the watchmaking landscape of a past era while still being a product of today.



The case of the Automatique Yellow Gold is crafted from 18k yellow gold (specifically 3N yellow gold) and measures 39mm in diameter and 10mm in thickness. These dimensions offer a contemporary presence while remaining wearable for a variety of wrist sizes. The case design features a distinctive concave bezel and sharply defined, faceted lugs. This architecture allows for a play of light and highlights the contrast between the brushed and polished surfaces applied to the gold, adding visual complexity. The watch maintains a practical water resistance rating of 80 meters (approximately 260 feet) and has a standard lug width of 19mm.



The dial of the Automatique Yellow Gold is also made from 18k yellow gold. It exhibits a sophisticated two-tone effect achieved through contrasting surface finishes on the dial plate itself. Inspired by vintage watch designs, it features vertically brushed sections separated by a distinct circular brushed ring. This texturing creates depth and interacts with light in interesting ways. An applied chemin de fer (railway track) minute scale, also in 18k yellow gold with engraved markings, encircles the dial's outer edge, further enhancing the sense of depth. To ensure readability against the golden backdrop, the applied hour markers and the hands, while made of 18k yellow gold, are treated with an anthracite color, providing strong contrast for telling the time at a glance.



Completing the Automatique Yellow Gold is a black nubuck leather strap. Nubuck offers a soft, velvety texture distinct from traditional polished or grained leather. The strap is fitted with an 18k yellow gold pin buckle matching the case material. For buyers seeking alternatives, the brand offers an optional deployant buckle or a full 18k yellow gold bracelet, though the bracelet option is noted as being available upon request starting from the fourth quarter of 2025.



The second release, the Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition, takes a different approach, blending the classic warmth of yellow gold with the modern, technical look of carbon fibre. This model is significant as it's the first in Biver's Atelier Series line to deviate from using natural stone dials, signaling a new direction and expanding the creative possibilities within the series. The inspiration is drawn from the "golden age of motorsports," specifically referencing the iconic black and gold livery of the John Player Special Formula One cars.



CEO James Marks expressed fascination with the juxtaposition of vintage-associated yellow gold and contemporary carbon fibre, seeing this watch as a "neoclassical twist on the idea of a racing machine for the wrist." He also noted that this fusion opens pathways to connect Biver's creations with other disciplines like art and automotive culture in the future. The Carbon Edition aims for a high-contrast aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking.



The case of the Atelier Series Carbon Edition uses the same 18k yellow gold construction and dimensions as its sibling: 39mm diameter, 10mm thickness, 80m water resistance, and 19mm lug width. The familiar concave bezel and faceted lugs with mixed brushed and polished finishes provide a consistent architectural base across these two new yellow gold offerings.



Where the Carbon Edition dramatically differs is its dial. It combines an 18k yellow gold base structure with prominent rings crafted from black and grey carbon fibre. This material, known for its use in high-performance applications like motorsport and aerospace, introduces a distinctly modern texture and pattern. The inherent structure of the carbon fibre creates its own subtle iridescence. Against this dark, textured backdrop, the applied hour markers and the applied chemin de fer minute track, both rendered in 18k yellow gold, stand out sharply. The hands are also 18k yellow gold, featuring sharp bevels that catch the light, making them appear almost luminous against the carbon fibre background.



Reflecting its motorsport-inspired theme and high-tech dial material, the Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition is paired with a black braided rubber strap. This choice provides a sportier feel compared to the nubuck leather of the other model. The strap features a leather-lined interior for enhanced comfort against the skin. It secures with an 18k yellow gold pin buckle. Similar to the Yellow Gold model, optional deployant buckles or a full 18k yellow gold bracelet can be requested, with the bracelet expected to be available from Q4 2025.



Beating at the heart of both new Automatique models is the Calibre JCB-003. This is a significant movement for Maison Biver, being the first calibre designed specifically for the brand from the ground up. Developed in partnership with the renowned movement specialists Dubois Depraz, the JCB-003 is an automatic movement featuring a micro-rotor winding system. The use of a micro-rotor allows for a slimmer movement profile compared to a full-sized central rotor, contributing to the watch's overall 10mm thickness, and allows an unobstructed view of the movement architecture and decoration. The calibre also supports hand winding.



A key technical feature of the JCB-003 is its zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand. When the crown is pulled out to the time-setting position, the seconds hand automatically jumps back to the zero position, allowing for precise synchronization with a reference time. The movement provides a healthy power reserve of approximately 65 hours when fully wound. Furthermore, it was engineered with modularity in mind, designed to serve as a base capable of driving additional complications in future Biver timepieces. Biver emphasizes that the movement receives new styles of hand-decoration, aligning with their focus on craftsmanship. The specific variant in the Yellow Gold model is designated JCB-003-C, though the functional specifications provided are identical for both watches.



Maison Biver underscores its commitment to quality and craftsmanship through the application of the JCB seal and by offering a 4-year warranty on all its timepieces. The brand narrative frequently returns to the idea of skilled artisans – the "miracle hands" – working in their Givrins workshop to imbue each watch with a unique character or "soul," striving for a product that transcends mere timekeeping.



Taken together, the Automatique Yellow Gold and the Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition demonstrate the versatility of the Automatique platform. They showcase how the core design elements – the architectural case, the sophisticated JCB-003 movement, and a focus on material interplay – can be interpreted in distinct ways. One leans towards a modern take on classic dress watch aesthetics, while the other embraces a bold fusion of precious metal and high-tech material inspired by performance racing.



These releases further solidify the Biver "neoclassical house style," which deliberately combines classical watchmaking proportions and techniques with contemporary design choices and materials. It reflects the brand's stated ambition: to respect and learn from watchmaking history while creating pieces that are undeniably of the 21st century, driven by the vision of both Jean-Claude and Pierre Biver.



The Automatique Yellow Gold is priced at CHF 75,000, while the Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition carries a price of CHF 89,000. These prices reflect the use of precious metals, the in-house developed movement with specific features like the micro-rotor and zero-reset, the level of hand-finishing involved, and the brand's positioning in the haute horlogerie segment. Availability is through Maison Biver directly or authorized retailers. As mentioned, the optional 18k yellow gold bracelets for both models are planned for availability upon request beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025.



Automatique Yellow Gold Specifications



Case: 18k Yellow Gold; 39mm diameter; 10mm thickness; 19mm lug width; 80m / 260ft water resistance.

Movement: Calibre JCB-003-C; Automatic via micro-rotor; Hand winding capable; 65-hour power reserve; Zero-reset seconds mechanism; Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds.

Dial: 18k Yellow Gold material; Two-tone effect via contrasting finishes; Applied 18k Yellow Gold markers with Anthracite colour; Applied 18k Yellow Gold chemin de fer; 18k Yellow Gold hands with Anthracite colour; Displays Hours, Minutes, Seconds.

Strap: Black Nubuck Leather; 18k Yellow Gold pin buckle; Optional deployant buckle available; Optional 18k Yellow Gold bracelet available Q4 2025.

Price: CHF 75,000

Notes: Represents Biver's artistic interpretation of a traditional three-hand watch, inspired by vintage aesthetics. Features a distinctive two-tone gold dial achieved through finishing techniques.





Automatique Atelier Series Carbon Edition Specifications



Case: 18k Yellow Gold; 39mm diameter; 10mm thickness; 19mm lug width; 80m / 260ft water resistance.

Movement: Calibre JCB-003; Automatic via micro-rotor; Hand winding capable; 65-hour power reserve; Zero-reset seconds mechanism; Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds.

Dial: 18k Yellow Gold and Carbon Fibre materials; Applied 18k Yellow Gold markers; Applied 18k Yellow Gold chemin de fer; 18k Yellow Gold hands; Displays Hours, Minutes, Seconds.

Strap: Black braided rubber with leather lining; 18k Yellow Gold pin buckle; Optional deployant buckle available; Optional 18k Yellow Gold bracelet available Q4 2025.

Price: CHF 89,000

Notes: First Atelier Series watch featuring a carbon fibre dial instead of natural stone. Inspired by motorsports, combining traditional gold with modern carbon fibre for high contrast.