In the contemporary landscape of haute horlogerie, independent watchmakers have become indispensable forces. With their bold designs and uncompromising craftsmanship, they continue to chart a singular path beyond the orbit of mainstream luxury brands.
Among the most closely watched names in this arena is Jean-Claude Biver – a legendary figure in Swiss watchmaking, former CEO of Hublot and TAG Heuer, and former head of LVMH’s watches & jewelry division. In 2022, Biver launched an eponymous brand, Biver Watches, in partnership with his son Pierre, sparking widespread anticipation: What kind of timepiece would this industry titan create on his own terms?
This year, Biver Watches inaugurated its first dedicated retail space – not in a glitzy mall or high-street boutique, but discreetly nestled within the Upper House in Admiralty, Hong Kong. Overlooking panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the Biver Lounge offers a serene, highly curated environment for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
During a recent visit, The Value sat down for an exclusive interview with Shoyo Kawamura, co-founder of the Biver Lounge in Hong Kong. A fast-rising collector and tastemaker, Kawamura personally introduced three signature Biver timepieces that embody the brand’s ethos.
Shoyo Kawamura, co-founder of the Biver Lounge in Hong Kong
Carillon Tourbillion Titanium Sodalite
Retail Price: CHF 505,000
At Biver Watches, we focus on craftsmanship – on the art of watchmaking. With the first model being the Carillon Tourbillon Repeater, we set the benchmark right away: to pursue the very highest level of quality in horology.
It features a masterfully executed Grade 5 titanium case – superbly robust and extremely lightweight. The whole idea behind this debut model was to create a highly complicated watch that could still be worn daily.
At 42mm, the case houses a skeletonized dial cut from a single piece of sodalite. When you look at the details inside the movement, you notice a high level of finishing – every base plate is decorated with a refined pillar pattern. The hands are equally well-finished, with satin brushing and mirror-polished edges.
Flip the watch over and you’ll see the Calibre JCB 001, the brand’s first in-house movement, powered by a micro-rotor. You can also see the hammers of the minute repeater mechanism. Differing from traditional repeaters, this one uses three hammers to strike the gong, hence the name “Carillon Tourbillon Repeater.”
Automatique Rose Gold
Retail Price: CHF 75,000
*additional rose gold bracelet CHF 24,000
The Automatique is the brand’s newest release. This is the Pink Gold Edition, featuring a two-tone pink gold dial. The concept was to create a watch that’s simpler than the first release – but one that still feels timeless.
The dial is meticulously executed, with circular brushed finishing on the inner circle and vertical satin-brushed finishing on the outer dial – creating a two-tone optical illusion.
If you look at the case profile, it’s inspired by one of JCB’s favourite vintage references: the Patek Philippe 3448. You can see how the case design, especially the lugs, pays homage to that classic shape.
And on my hand, I have what I honestly believe is one of the most striking bracelets released in recent times. It catches the light with this beautiful ripple effect, and each individual link is polished by hand before assembly, which really highlights the many facets.
Automatique Atelier Series Pietersite
Retail Price: CHF 89,000
Here on my wrist is another Automatique – but this one belongs to the Atelier series, in pink gold. The two founders of Biver Watches, Jean-Claude and Pierre, have a deep connection with hard stone dials, believing each stone carries an energy that resonates with the wearer’s frequency.
For this example, they chose a hard stone that’s rarely seen in watchmaking: Pietersite. It has a stunning, almost thunderstorm-like visual effect – especially under sunlight, where its natural iridescence really comes alive. And each dial is completely unique.
If you flip the watch over, you’ll see the JCB 003 caliber – another micro-rotor movement. What’s especially unusual here is that all the main plates are decorated with a clous de Paris pattern, which is usually seen on bezels, but rarely on the plates of a movement.
The micro-rotor itself is finished to perfection, with an engine-turned guilloché pattern. Honestly, for a three-hand, time-only piece, this is one of the best movements I’ve seen in recent years – hands down.
And not to forget, the Automatique comes with a zero-reset function, which means when the crown is pulled out, the seconds hand instantly snaps back to 12:00. This piece has been incredibly well received – it’s easily one of the most sought-after models since the brand’s launch.