Buci Opens a New Chapter with the Singular Nouvelle Collection Launching Kickstarter

The independent watchmaking brand Buci, founded in 2022 by Nousseïma Baraket, is poised to release its highly anticipated second collection, Nouvelle. This new offering continues Buci’s distinctive approach to watchmaking, drawing profound inspiration from the literary world, with this collection specifically focusing on the art of the short story. Nouvelle aims to capture the essence of time’s passage and the subtle beauty found in everyday moments, translating these concepts into a compact and creatively designed timepiece. The collection builds upon the identity established by its debut Garde-Temps collection and subsequent successful collaborations, including those with the renowned strap maker seconde/seconde/ and the influential Revolution Watch magazine. The Nouvelle collection is set to launch on Kickstarter, offering an opportunity for enthusiasts to be among the first to own a piece of Buci’s evolving narrative.

A Literary Muse for Modern Horology

Buci’s genesis in 2022 marked a departure from conventional watchmaking narratives. Founder Nousseïma Baraket, with a background steeped in literary arts, envisioned a brand where timepieces would serve as tangible embodiments of written expression. This philosophy was immediately evident in the brand’s inaugural Garde-Temps collection, which sought to translate the abstract concepts found in books and poetry into horological form. The success of this initial offering, coupled with strategic collaborations that amplified its reach and design ethos, paved the way for further exploration. The Nouvelle collection represents a significant evolution, delving into the nuanced storytelling of short fiction. Baraket’s intention is to imbue these watches with the evocative power of narrative, transforming the act of telling time into an experience rich with meaning and personal reflection.

Design Philosophy: The Essence of the Short Story

The Nouvelle collection is a testament to Buci’s commitment to translating literary inspiration into tangible design elements. The watches are characterized by a compact, unisex-oriented stainless-steel case measuring a versatile 36mm in diameter and a slim 9.88mm in thickness. This dimension makes it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes and preferences, aligning with contemporary trends towards more understated and elegant watch sizing. The case itself is a masterful blend of polished and satin-brushed surfaces, creating a sophisticated interplay of light and texture.

A defining feature carried over from Buci’s previous work is the distinctive oval, concave bezel. In the Nouvelle collection, this element is rendered with greater definition, seamlessly flowing into the integrated lugs. This continuity of form lends the case a fluid and organic appearance. The mid-case is subtly fluted, an architectural detail that draws a direct parallel to the layered edges of book pages, a clever nod to the collection’s literary inspiration. Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating to ensure optimal legibility. This crystal is recessed, adding another layer of visual depth and refinement.

Buci Opens a New Chapter with the Singular Nouvelle Collection

The caseback is transparent, revealing the meticulously crafted hand-wound movement within. This exhibition caseback not only showcases the mechanical heart of the watch but also reinforces the tactile and artisanal nature of Buci’s creations. The water resistance is rated at 50 meters, providing a degree of everyday robustness suitable for a dress watch.

Dials: A Canvas of Evocative Textures and Hues

The dials of the Nouvelle collection are where the narrative truly comes to life. Inspired by the texture of blotting paper, a material historically used for absorbing excess ink in calligraphy, the dials offer a tactile and visually engaging surface. Buci presents the Nouvelle in two distinct executions, each evoking a different facet of storytelling and the passage of time:

Essentiel: This variant features a luminous tone that evokes the warmth and character of aged paper. This choice of color suggests a sense of history, reflection, and the enduring nature of well-crafted narratives. It speaks to the fundamental elements of a story, stripped down to its essential components.
Contemplation: This execution adopts a deeper, richer blue, a hue often associated with the quiet, introspective hours of the night. This color palette is intended to inspire moments of reflection and deep thought, mirroring the contemplative nature of engaging with a compelling short story. It suggests the hidden depths and nuances that reveal themselves during quiet contemplation.

The Art of Calligraphy and Narrative Details

A particularly striking aspect of the Nouvelle collection is its use of numerals. These are not mere printed markers but hand-painted by a Parisian calligrapher, imbuing each numeral with a unique artistic flourish. The deliberate irregularity in their proportions and execution adds a personalized, almost intimate, touch to the dial. This artistic approach moves beyond simple time-telling to become an integral part of the watch’s aesthetic narrative.

The numerals are arranged in a crescent-shaped composition, a design choice that provides each hour with its own distinct character and visual prominence. This unconventional arrangement eschews strict uniformity, mirroring the varied pacing and emphasis found within a narrative.

At the 9 o’clock position, a recessed small seconds subdial, complete with delicate crosshairs, serves as a visual counterpoint to the main display. This subdial is not just functional; it is a subtle representation of time’s relentless march and the continuous operation of the watch’s mechanical movement.

The hands and indices are treated with Super-LumiNova, ensuring practical legibility in low-light conditions. However, Buci has incorporated a subtle yet brilliant detail that further strengthens the collection’s theme: once every hour, the hours and minutes hands align to form the distinct shape of a fountain-pen nib. This elegant visual cue is a direct homage to the act of writing, the very foundation upon which the Nouvelle collection is built. It is a moment of poetic synchronicity, a fleeting image that encapsulates the brand’s core philosophy.

Mechanical Prowess: The Sellita SW219 Movement

Powering the Buci Nouvelle collection is the manually wound Sellita SW219 movement. This calibre is a hand-wound iteration derived from the well-regarded Sellita SW200, which itself serves as a robust and reliable alternative to the iconic ETA 2824. The SW219 is an Elaboré-grade movement, signifying a higher level of finishing and adjustment compared to standard grades, ensuring greater accuracy and performance.

The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph), a standard for modern mechanical watches that provides a smooth sweep of the seconds hand. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, meaning the watch will continue to function for almost two days after being fully wound, even if not worn. The presence of a manual-winding movement encourages a more intimate relationship between the wearer and the watch, requiring a daily or near-daily ritual of winding, akin to the consistent effort of writing. The exhibition caseback allows enthusiasts to appreciate the craftsmanship of this Swiss-made engine.

Straps and Presentation: Completing the Narrative

The Nouvelle collection is complemented by interchangeable calfskin straps, designed for ease of use with quick-release spring bars. Buci offers a curated selection of strap options to further personalize the timepiece:

Grained Cream: A classic and versatile choice, echoing the "Essentiel" dial’s aged paper aesthetic.
Grained Blue: Harmonizing with the "Contemplation" dial, this option provides a sophisticated and thematic pairing.
Smooth Brown: A timeless and elegant option that adds a touch of traditional warmth.
Grey Nubuck: A more contemporary and tactile choice, offering a distinct texture and refined look.

The straps measure 18mm at the lugs and taper to 16mm at the buckle. The pin buckle itself is crafted from 316L stainless steel and features a combination of brushed and bead-blasted finishes, aligning with the case’s sophisticated detailing.

Buci’s commitment to its literary theme extends to the presentation of the Nouvelle collection. Each watch is supplied in a unique, book-shaped box. Inside, accompanying the timepiece, is a dedicated notebook. This thoughtful inclusion encourages owners to engage with the watch not just as a timekeeper but as a personal journal, a place to record their own moments, observations, and stories, thereby extending the narrative experience beyond the watch itself.

Launch and Availability: A Kickstarter Endeavor

The Buci Nouvelle collection is slated for a limited launch, with only 300 individually numbered pieces being produced. This exclusivity underscores the brand’s artisanal approach and the special nature of this release.

Pre-orders for the Nouvelle collection will commence on Kickstarter, a platform that has become a vital launchpad for many independent watch brands seeking to connect directly with their audience and fund new projects. The pre-order window is scheduled from September 25 to November 15, 2026.

During the Kickstarter campaign, the Nouvelle collection will be available at an attractive introductory price of EUR 1,550. Following the campaign and once the watches enter regular retail channels, the price is expected to increase to EUR 1,850, highlighting the value proposition of participating in the crowdfunding initiative.

Public Appearances and Future Outlook

Enthusiasts and potential buyers will have the opportunity to experience the Buci Nouvelle collection firsthand at several prominent watch events:

Toronto Timepiece Show: September 26-27
We Love Watches in Paris: October 9-10
Windup Watch Fair in New York: October 16-18
Spring Sprung Sprang in Singapore: November 14-15

These events provide crucial touchpoints for Buci to engage with the watch community, gather feedback, and showcase the tangible artistry of the Nouvelle collection.

Buci’s journey, though short, has been marked by a clear vision and a unique creative direction. The Nouvelle collection represents a significant step forward, demonstrating the brand’s ability to mature its design language while staying true to its literary roots. By focusing on the narrative power of the short story, Buci is not merely selling watches; it is offering a wearable piece of art that invites introspection and personal storytelling. The success of this Kickstarter campaign will undoubtedly shape the brand’s future trajectory, potentially paving the way for further literary-inspired horological endeavors. The watch community will be watching closely to see how this novel approach to watchmaking unfolds.

Technical Specifications: Buci Nouvelle

Case:

Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 9.88 mm
Material: 316L stainless steel
Finishes: Polished and satin-brushed surfaces
Bezel: Oval, concave
Midcase: Fluted, inspired by book pages
Crystal: Domed and recessed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Caseback: Transparent exhibition caseback
Water Resistance: 50 meters

Dial:

Inspiration: Blotting paper texture
Executions:
- Essentiel: Luminous tone reminiscent of aged paper
- Contemplation: Deep blue, evoking nighttime contemplation
Numerals: Hand-painted calligraphic numerals with irregular proportions, arranged in a crescent
Features: Recessed small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock with crosshairs, Super-LumiNova on hands and indices, hours and minutes hands align to form a fountain-pen nib shape once per hour.

Movement: