Buci Nouvelle: A Literary Swiss Mechanical Watch | Veloce
The Journal
Buci Nouvelle: A Literary Swiss Mechanical Watch
By Nick·October 21, 2026· 6 min read
French independent brand Buci unveils its new Nouvelle collection, a 36mm Swiss mechanical watch deeply inspired by literature. This unique timepiece features hand-drawn numerals and a case designed to evoke a book.
0 views
EXPERIENCE THIS RELEASE
3 min listen
0:00 / 2:44
Loading narration of Buci Nouvelle: A Literary Swiss Mechanical Watch Transcript
Buci, the French independent brand, just hit its Kickstarter goal for the Nouvelle collection, bringing a literary-inspired Swiss mechanical watch to life. This new lineup, limited to just three hundred pieces, centers on a thirty-six millimeter case and a manual-winding movement. It’s a watch that’ll make any dialhead look twice with its unique narrative.
The Nouvelle collection is built around the idea of a "short story," with design elements that evoke books and writing. The dials feature a texture that looks like aged parchment, and the numerals are hand-drawn by a Parisian calligrapher, forming a subtle crescent shape. Even the stainless steel case has fine vertical grooves on its mid-section, designed to look like the layered edges of book pages. A subtle detail: once every hour, the hands align to form the silhouette of a fountain pen nib, a clever touch for those who appreciate the craft.
The collection offers two distinct dial variations: the Essentiel and the Contemplation. The Essentiel model has a luminous, cream-colored dial, aiming for the look of a blank page, ready for a new story. The Contemplation model features a deep blue dial, inspired by the quiet hours of night, a time often associated with reflection and creation. Both models come with a choice of four interchangeable calfskin straps, allowing for versatility in style.
Inside, the Nouvelle uses the Swiss-made Sellita SW219-1 manual-winding movement. This caliber operates at twenty-eight thousand eight hundred vibrations per hour, a standard frequency for modern mechanical movements, and provides a power reserve of approximately forty-two hours, which means it will run for nearly two full days on a single wind. Buci specifies an Elaboré-grade adjustment and decoration, visible through the exhibition caseback, offering a view of the finely finished mechanics. The movement has twenty-three jewels and is designed for a small seconds display at nine o'clock, a classic and balanced sub-dial placement.
The thirty-six millimeter stainless steel case measures 9.88 millimeters thick with a forty-six millimeter lug-to-lug distance. This compact sizing means it should wear comfortably on a wide range of wrists, making it a versatile option. It has a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, which helps with legibility in various lighting conditions. Water resistance is fifty meters, making it suitable for daily wear and splashes, protecting against rain or handwashing, but it's not designed for swimming or diving.
Buci Nouvelle: A Literary Swiss Mechanical Watch — watch the reel or listen to the full narration.
French independent watch brand Buci has successfully funded its second collection, the Nouvelle, on Kickstarter. The campaign just surpassed its €61,748 goal, securing over €87,000 in pledges for a 36mm Swiss mechanical watch with a starting price of about $1,675 (€1,550). The collection is a deep dive into literary inspiration, from its hand-drawn numerals to a case designed to evoke the pages of a book.
36mmCase
€1,550Kickstarter Price
42hPower Reserve
50mWater Res.
Founded in 2022, Buci’s stated vision is to make time more poetic. This new collection follows their first Kickstarter-funded project, the Garde-temps, and builds on the brand’s core theme of connecting horology with literature. The entire run is limited to 300 individually numbered pieces.
The name of the collection, "Nouvelle," is French for "short story." Buci uses this idea as a framework for the watch's design, suggesting that time is built from small, quiet moments. This concept is not just a marketing tagline; it's physically integrated into nearly every component of the watch.
The dial texture, for instance, is designed to look like blotting paper or aged parchment. The numerals are not a standard font. They were hand-drawn by a Parisian calligrapher for this collection, with varied proportions that form a crescent shape on the dial.
Even the case carries the theme. The mid-case is fluted with fine vertical grooves, recalling the layered edges of book pages. The entire watch is presented in a book-shaped box that also contains a notebook, reinforcing the invitation to record memories.
Once every hour, the hour and minute hands align perfectly to form the silhouette of a classic fountain pen nib. It’s a subtle detail that only the owner might notice.
This approach, where an external art form dictates the watch's physical form, is something we've seen in other independent creations. The Ercigoj Cornely, for example, builds its identity around a custom embroidered dial, merging textile art with Swiss mechanics. Both watches prioritize a cohesive artistic narrative over pure technical specifications.
The Nouvelle Collection by Buci: Essentiel and Contemplation
The Nouvelle is available in two distinct dial variations. Both share the same 36mm case, calligraphic numerals, and movement, but they offer different aesthetic expressions of the core literary theme.
Essentiel
The Essentiel model features a luminous, cream-colored dial. Its texture and color are inspired by aged paper, giving it the look of a blank page in a well-loved book. This version is perhaps the most direct interpretation of the brand's literary theme.
Contemplation
The Contemplation model has a deep blue dial, which Buci describes as being inspired by the quiet hours of the night. It presents a darker, more atmospheric mood while retaining the same paper-like texture and custom typography. The small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock becomes a focal point against the dark background.
Both models are offered with a choice of four interchangeable calfskin straps: grained cream, grained blue, smooth brown, or grey nubuck. The straps use a quick-release system, allowing for changes without any tools.
The Movement: A Manual-Wind Sellita Heart
Powering the Nouvelle collection is the Swiss-made Sellita SW219-1. This is a manual-winding mechanical movement, a choice that aligns with the watch's theme of creating a daily ritual. Winding the watch each day creates a point of connection between the owner and the object.
The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and provides a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Its architecture is specifically designed to accommodate a small seconds display at 9 o’clock, a key feature of the Nouvelle's dial layout. Buci specifies an Elaboré-grade adjustment and decoration, which is visible through the exhibition caseback.
The official specification sheet for the SW219-1 lists 23 jewels. However, the caseback engraving text provided in the campaign materials notes "NINETEEN (19) JEWELS." While this appears to be a discrepancy in the engraving text, the movement itself is consistently identified by Sellita and other sources as having 23 jewels.
Case Dimensions and Construction
The Buci Nouvelle uses a 316L stainless steel case measuring 36mm in diameter and 9.88mm in thickness. Its lug-to-lug distance is 46mm. These proportions are classic and restrained, placing the watch firmly in a category that should appeal to those with smaller wrists or a preference for more traditional sizing.
The case combines polished and satin-brushed surfaces, topped with a domed and recessed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Its most notable feature is the fluted mid-case, designed to mimic the texture of book pages. This detail adds a layer of tactile and visual interest that sets it apart from a standard polished case.
Water resistance is rated at 50 meters (5 ATM). This is sufficient for daily wear and protection against splashes or rain. It is not intended for swimming or diving.
Case
36mm × 9.88mm, 316L stainless steel
Lug-to-Lug
46mm
Movement
Sellita SW219-1 (Elaboré), manual winding
Power Reserve
42 hours
Frequency
28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Crystal
Domed sapphire, anti-reflective coating
Dial
Textured with hand-painted calligraphic numerals
Water Resistance
50 meters / 5 ATM
Strap
18mm interchangeable calf leather with quick-release
Price
About $1,675 USD (€1,550 on Kickstarter)
Buci's Kickstarter Pricing and Availability
As a Kickstarter project, the Buci Nouvelle is offered at a special price for early backers before it enters traditional retail channels. The collection is limited to a total of 300 numbered pieces across both dial variants.
The main offer is for a single watch at €1,550 (about $1,675 USD). Buci states the future retail price will be €1,850, representing a saving of €300 for campaign backers. A two-watch package is also available for €2,990 (about $3,230 USD).
Backers choose their specific model (Essentiel or Contemplation) and strap preference at the conclusion of the campaign. The offer includes the numbered watch, one leather strap, a 24-month international warranty, and free worldwide shipping.
The Takeaway
The Buci Nouvelle is a 36mm manual-wind watch for collectors who value a cohesive, literary-inspired design over technical complexity. Its Swiss Sellita movement provides a reliable base, but the watch's identity comes from its calligraphic dial, unique hand-alignment, and book-themed case details, all offered in a limited run of 300 pieces.
Buci's Second Chapter
By returning to Kickstarter, Buci is engaging the same community that helped launch its first collection. The success of the Nouvelle campaign suggests a clear audience for its specific brand of poetic watchmaking. For any dialhead who appreciates a watch with a strong, consistently executed narrative, the Nouvelle presents a compelling option from an emerging independent brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Buci Nouvelle watch?
The Kickstarter campaign price for one Buci Nouvelle watch is €1,550, which is approximately $1,675 USD. The brand states the planned future retail price will be €1,850.
What movement does the Buci Nouvelle use?
The watch is powered by a Swiss-made, manual-winding Sellita SW219-1 movement. It features an Elaboré-grade finish, a 42-hour power reserve, 23 jewels, and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz).
Is the Buci Nouvelle a limited edition?
Yes, the Nouvelle collection is a limited and individually numbered edition of 300 pieces in total, across both the Essentiel and Contemplation models.
What are the case dimensions of the Buci Nouvelle?
The 316L stainless steel case measures 36mm in diameter, 9.88mm in thickness, and has a lug-to-lug distance of 46mm. The lug width is 18mm.
What is the difference between the Essentiel and Contemplation models?
Both models share the same case, movement, and features. The only difference is the dial color: the Essentiel has a cream-colored dial inspired by aged paper, while the Contemplation has a deep blue dial inspired by the night.
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 21, 2026· 6 min read
