Biver AB: Steel Case, White Gold Movement & 38mm | Veloce
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Biver AB: Steel Case, White Gold Movement & 38mm
By Nick·October 18, 2026· 5 min read
The new Biver AB, priced at $80,000, introduces the brand's first 38mm stainless steel case. Yet, it surprisingly houses a new hand-wound movement crafted from solid white gold, making it a watch of striking contrasts.
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Biver just dropped its first-ever stainless steel watch, the new AB, and it's also their smallest case to date at thirty-eight millimeters. This watch is a fresh approach for the independent brand, known more for larger, precious-metal pieces.
The new AB isn't just a simple steel model. It pairs that everyday steel case with a solid gold and onyx dial, and it houses a new hand-wound movement, the Calibre JCB-004. Many of the movement's main components are crafted from solid white gold, giving it a substantial feel despite the steel exterior.
The thirty-eight-millimeter stainless steel case is nine point eight millimeters thick. It offers eighty meters of water resistance, making it practical for daily wear. The five-link bracelet, designed specifically for this watch, has over three hundred hand-assembled parts, and it includes a patented easy-adjust system for fine-tuning the fit. You also get an additional leather strap with a steel buckle.
The dial uses an eighteen-karat yellow gold base treated with a dark grey or black DLC, contrasted by an outer ring of polished onyx. A discreet power reserve indicator at twelve o'clock shows the movement's impressive one hundred twenty-hour autonomy. At six o'clock, a small seconds sub-dial balances the design.
The Calibre JCB-004 is Biver's first hand-wound movement. It features two barrels for that five-day power reserve, a traditional three hertz frequency, and a zero-reset mechanism for precise time setting. Any dialhead will appreciate that the main plate and bridges are made from a white gold alloy, while the gear train is yellow gold, all finished with circular graining and hand-beveled edges.
This Biver AB comes in at around eighty thousand dollars.
For all the details and more, head over to the Veloce Journal.
At about $80,000 (CHF 68,000 before taxes), the new Biver AB is the brand’s first watch in stainless steel. It’s also their smallest case to date at 38mm. Those two facts position it as a new entry point for the independent watchmaker.
But this is not a simplified steel model. Biver used the new material as a frame for a watch with a solid gold and onyx dial. It also houses a new hand-wound movement whose main components are crafted from solid white gold.
The AB is a watch of contrasts. It pairs an everyday steel case with materials and mechanics from high horology. This is a first for the brand in more ways than one.
38mmCase
~ $80,000Price
120hPower Reserve
80mWater Res.
Meet the Biver AB
The Biver AB marks a strategic shift for a brand known for larger, precious-metal watches. It responds to collector interest in a more compact and wearable piece. The result is a newly designed case, not just a scaled-down version of an existing model.
A New Case: 38mm in Steel
The stainless steel case measures 38mm in diameter and 9.8mm thick. These dimensions place it squarely in the versatile all-rounder category. The finishing mixes brushed flanks with bright polished edges for visual contrast.
The lug width is 19mm, accommodating a five-link bracelet designed specifically for the watch. With 8 ATM (80 meters) of water resistance, the AB is built for daily wear, not just formal occasions. It’s a practical shell for the complexity within.
The Dial: Gold, Onyx, and a Five-Day Reserve
The dial appears simple at first glance, but its construction is layered. The main surface is solid 18k 2N yellow gold with a dark grey or black DLC treatment. This creates a high-contrast base for the gold hands and markers.
An outer ring of polished onyx surrounds the gold center. The minute track is applied directly to this stone surface. As light hits the onyx, the track's appearance shifts, adding a dynamic quality to the dial.
At 12 o’clock, a slim arc with a golden pin indicates the power reserve. It’s a discreet display for the movement’s long 120-hour autonomy. A small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock provides visual balance.
Calibre JCB-004: A Hand-Wound Heart of Gold
The new Calibre JCB-004 is Biver’s first hand-wound movement. Developed with Le Cercle des Horlogers, it was built specifically for the AB. Two barrels provide a 120-hour, or five-day, power reserve.
This means you can wind it on a Friday, and it will still be running the following week. It operates at a traditional 3Hz (21,600 bph) and contains 32 jewels. When setting the time, pulling the crown activates a zero-reset mechanism, snapping the seconds hand to 12 for precise synchronization.
The most surprising feature for any dialhead is inside. The movement's main plate and bridges are made from PD210, a white gold alloy, while the gear train is 2N yellow gold. This gives the watch significant material value and physical weight, despite its steel exterior.
The finishing includes circular graining, sandblasted surfaces, and hand-beveled edges. It’s a movement built to be appreciated for its architecture and materials, not just its performance. This choice is a clear signal of the watch's position in independent high horology, similar to the philosophy we've seen in pieces like the Vacheron Constantin's Overseas Perpetual Calendar, where the mechanics are just as important as the case they sit in.
The Bracelet: Over 300 Hand-Assembled Parts
The five-link steel bracelet is a significant component of the AB. According to Biver, it consists of more than 300 parts, each finished and assembled by hand. The top surfaces alternate between brushed and polished finishes.
The underside is fully polished for comfort against the skin. A patented easy-adjust system allows for about 4mm of fine-tuning, or what the brand describes as a half-link. This is a practical feature for accommodating small changes in wrist size. The watch also includes a Bahia calf-leather strap with a steel buckle, offering a different look.
The Takeaway
The Biver AB presents a unique proposition: a compact 38mm steel sports-luxury watch format housing a high-horology movement made of white gold. It is positioned for collectors who value movement architecture, material substance, and the tactile experience of a long-reserve manual-wind watch over case metal or overt complications.
Onyx outer ring, 18k 2N yellow gold base with black DLC
Movement
Biver Calibre JCB-004
Winding
Manual
Power Reserve
120 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator, zero-reset seconds
Bracelet
5-link stainless steel with patented adjustment system, plus an additional Bahia calf-leather strap
Price
CHF 68,000 (approx. $80,000 USD)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Biver AB?
The official price is CHF 68,000 before taxes. At current exchange rates, this is approximately $80,000 USD, though Biver has not published an official US retail price.
What movement does the Biver AB use?
It uses the Calibre JCB-004, a new manual-winding movement developed for this watch. It features a 120-hour power reserve, 32 jewels, a zero-reset seconds function, and its main plate and bridges are made from a white gold alloy.
Is the Biver AB a limited edition?
The brand has not stated an official limited-edition production number for the AB. However, early reports indicated strong initial demand, suggesting availability may be constrained.
What is special about the Biver AB's case and dial?
The AB is Biver's first watch in a stainless steel case, and its smallest at 38mm. The dial is also unique, combining a solid 18k yellow gold base (treated with black DLC) with an outer ring made of polished onyx stone.
How long is the power reserve on the Biver AB?
The Calibre JCB-004 has a power reserve of approximately 120 hours, or five days. A discreet indicator on the dial at 12 o'clock shows how much power remains.
GALLERY
WRITTEN BY
Nick
I originally started VELOCE to put my skills to work, hone my app design and web development practices, and dive deeper into the world of horology. I wanted to learn more about the watches, the brands, and the incredible people behind them - the creators, the designers, and the collectors. I love discovering new timepieces and sharing their stories with the world. VELOCE is my ultimate passion project and hobby, the creative space I head to after my full-time job to build something I truly care about.
By Nick·October 18, 2026· 5 min read
