Biver Unveils "La Danse du Temps": A Tribute to the Day of the Dead Celebration

Jean-Claude Biver is set to showcase a horological masterpiece, dubbed “La Danse du Temps” or “The Dance of Time,” at the Salon Internacional de Alta Relojería (SIAR), which will be held in Mexico City from October 17 to 19, 2023.

This distinct creation represents a convergence of Swiss watchmaking tradition with vibrant Mexican culture, particularly paying tribute to the Day of the Dead celebration.

In collaboration with Mexican artist Joel Niño, the father-son duo, Pierre and Jean-Claude, worked to craft an exceptional timepiece that pays tribute to tradition and cultural richness — executed by combining meticulous craftsmanship and symbolic artistry.

The heart of “La Danse du Temps” is its Carillon Tourbillon mechanism, encased for the first time in rose gold, with an onyx dial decorated with sandblasted motifs of traditional Mexican “papel picado” and hand-engraved rose gold appliques depicting calaveras, inspired by Diego Rivera’s iconic catrina. The dial showcases a dancing couple, embodying eternal love — a whimsical nod to the joyful narrative surrounding death in Mexican culture.

Jean-Claude Biver explained that the carillon’s vibrations allow the “soul” of the watch to reach eternity, much like the Day of the Dead keeps the memory of ancestors alive. The timepiece, boasts a 72-hour power reserve, 44 ruby components and an automatic caliber wound by a micro-rotor.

Technical aspects of “La Danse du Temps” are complemented by a 42mm rose gold case and bracelet, with a water resistance of 5 ATM. Its aesthetic and mechanical intricacies showcase BIVER’s commitment to horological excellence and cultural homage, making “La Danse du Temps” a remarkable intersection of heritage, art and precision, soon to be shown at SIAR.

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