Bvlgari’s Year of the Serpenti

IF THERE’S one design that is most strongly associated with Bvlgari, it would be Serpenti – its famous and ever-evolving snake.

Since the icon first made its appearance in 1948 as a jewellery-watch with a flexible, gold Tubogas body and a square dial as its head, it has undergone multiple transformations. Each time, the creature takes on new guises in the form of inventive combination and evolution of materials, designs, colours, finishing and textures.

So it is apt that this festive season, the luxury Italian jeweller delivers a new collection of the icon for the Year of the Snake. After all, the creature, with its ability to shed its skin, is considered the most mysterious of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and represents wisdom, luck and charm.

In Serpenti Infinito, the Roman jeweller has again effortlessly captured the reptile’s movement and dynamism and transposed its mesmerising aesthetics into finely sculpted, contemporary jewellery.

The fascinating creature appears in tubular shapes, stylised, encrusted with gems, cloaked in multicoloured enamels and fashioned via innovative and cutting-edge goldsmithing techniques. It takes on charming forms – a lithe, slender creature, an animal full of mystery, an ultra-modern, stylised viper and a serpent without beginning or end.

The result is a fascinating collection of 13 new novelties that covers the gamut from jewellery and watches to a precious new handbag. And that doesn’t even include its high jewellery creations.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 2 pm

Lifestyle

Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.

Sign Up

Sign Up

Perpetually evolving

This Year of the Snake, say hello to two Serpenti Viper sets with their stylised scales, now appearing in new colours of rose or yellow gold, with or without diamonds. While the sleek necklace sees the snake’s head resting ever so lightly on its tail, the cutest snakelets make the perfect companions on a striking pair of hoop earrings.

Adding to the Serpenti’s white gold assortment are a new bracelet and ring. Appearing in an intriguing looped design, the snake carries a delicate diamond pave on the head and tail, making it a unisex classic.

Drawing inspiration from Bvlgari’s high jewellery creations are four beautiful new rings which are, incidentally, very adorable.

SEE ALSO

Serpenti Infinito Exhibition: The snake as remarkable works of art 

Limited to select boutiques worldwide, each of these pieces sports a bulbous snake head that’s elevated with precious coloured gems carefully chosen to bring the animal to life. Crafted in rose gold and fully encrusted with diamonds, the rings are animated by sapphire, rubies or emerald beads on the body and eyes. But if only diamonds will do for you, then look out for a fully diamond iteration in white gold.

Signature timepieces, elegant accessories

Aptly described as “a timepiece with the soul of a jewel”, the Serpenti Seduttori watch comes dressed in sleek, refined stainless steel. An added sparkle comes from its diamond-set bezel on a drop-shaped case that makes up the mythical animal’s head. This elegant watch comes with a light, supple bracelet – crafted from intricate hexagonal elements inspired by the scales of a serpent – gently encircling the wrist. 

The Serpenti Tubogas watch, on the other hand, brings together Bvlgari’s legendary Tubogas flexible band made of solder-free coils with its beloved snake motif. In an industrial-inspired design, the creature’s sinuous body, made in rose gold and stainless steel, wraps around the wrist to create a dramatic jewellery-watch. This iconic timepiece is further enhanced with a touch of pave diamonds around its bezel for extra sparkle.

This year, a classy new handbag joins the Serpenti universe. The Serpenti Cuore 1968’s distinctive shape recalls the two halves of a heart. One half is made up of the bag’s body, while the other is of a curvy, snake torso. The gold-plated brass handle is made using the “lost wax” technique and embellished with multicoloured enamels – inspired by the iconic Bvlgari Serpenti Harlequin jewellery-watch from 1968. Made of premium matelasse calf leather with a soft padded effect, the bag is completed by a detachable chain strap for versatile wearing options.