News 
For more than a century, The OWO (formerly the Old War Office) was closed to the public, designed to keep people out and its secrets in. Now, thanks to the Hinduja Group and Onex Holding, The OWO is a new centre for living, entertainment and fine dining in the very heart of London. Renovated, remodelled and reconfigured as the city’s first Raffles Hotel and Residences, The OWO offers 120 guest rooms and suites along with 85 residences, including a super luxurious penthouse, nine restaurants and three bars.
To celebrate the completion of the building and the incredible living spaces within, The OWO Residences has partnered with the watchmaking brand as its official timepiece.
Steeped in history and tradition, Bovet was founded in London and at the same time registered in Fleurier in 1822. London is therefore a historically important place for the Maison.
Each of the owners of the 10 most luxurious residences within The OWO, including the outstanding penthouse, will be gifted a specially created, handcrafted timepiece, produced, hand-engraved and hand-assembled at the heart of the Manufacture.
The 18K red gold cases of the timepieces are decorated with a hand-engraved “egg and dart” motif found throughout The OWO property, while the Bovet bow at 12 o’clock is hand-engraved with a marble shell motif, visible on the fireplaces and mouldings. The unique dial is patterned after the Rose Ceiling above the Grand Staircase of The OWO.
The following quote from Winston Churchill is engraved on the back of the case: “We Shape Our Dwellings, and Afterwards Our Dwellings Shape Us.”
The OWO, the Grade II listed Old War Office, is a building steeped in history. Formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall (home to monarchs between 1530-1698), this architectural masterpiece has witnessed world-shaping events whilst influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Lord Kitchener held office. It also inspired Ian Fleming to write the James Bond series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division. The building has been used as a film location in five James Bond films.
September 07, 2023