Tradition with a twist
Made for discerning collectors, Bvlgari’s 2024 novelties challenge the conventions of watchmaking by marrying innovative engineering, audacious design, and traditional craftsmanship
RENOWNED for bold elegance and technical mastery, Bvlgari has established itself as one of the world’s leading luxury watchmakers over the decades. While many brands lean on tradition, the Roman house continually redefines it, introducing daring innovations that result in distinctly modern timepieces.
This year, Bvlgari’s dedication to merging its distinctive audacious Italian design heritage with Swiss precision engineering is on full display once again. From complex chiming mechanisms and record-breaking slimness to unexpected musical collaborations, Bvlgari’s latest timepieces offer a glimpse into the future of luxury watchmaking.
Here, we discover four spectacular creations that are both exquisite works of art and miniature engineering marvels.
Striking sounds
Invented in the 17th century and considered one of the most intricate watchmaking movements, chiming or striking watches have long represented the pinnacle of craftsmanship, and Bvlgari’s two latest models are no exception.
While both timepieces masterfully blend sound with precision timekeeping, what truly sets them apart is the unexpected use of the tritone harmonic interval, famously known as the Devil’s Interval. Closely associated with medieval mysticism, this late 18th-century musical scale earned its notorious reputation for creating a chilling, unsettling atmosphere. Interestingly, music psychologists believe that the tritone sounds particularly unsettling because the human brain is hardwired to find harmony and symmetry in music.
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The Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon is Bvlgari’s magnum opus when it comes to acoustic performance. In Grande Sonnerie mode, it comes to life when it automatically chimes the hours and quarters. Powered by the BVV800 Calibre, this timepiece also chimes on demand, making it a sensory and interactive experience for the wearer. Additionally, its four gongs and hammers offer a recital-like sound performance on the wrist.
On the other hand, the Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon strikes every 15 minutes on three notes, thanks to its modified BVL428 calibre. This striking mechanism adds a new dimension to the model’s auditory experience, creating an intriguing symphony of notes that is unique in its blend of tonal dissonance.
Although these watches house traditional chiming movements that are a nod to centuries-old horological craftsmanship, both flaunt utterly modern openworked dials with black DLC-treated finishes. Each of their personalities couldn’t be more distinct – the Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon is encased in chic 45mm titanium, while the Carillon Tourbillon exudes luxury in a 44mm rose gold case.
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Thin is in
While the chiming watches showcase Bvlgari’s acoustic mastery, the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC demonstrates the house’s prowess in mechanical engineering. Measuring a mere 1.7 mm thick, this remarkable model holds the record as the world’s slimmest COSC-certified chronometer. Achieving this extraordinary thinness was no easy task, as Bvlgari’s engineers had to rethink every element to achieve such sleekness without compromising performance or precision.
The BVL180 Calibre is a masterpiece of micro-engineering, with each of its 170 components – some measured to a tolerance of just 1/10th of a micron – meticulously selected and assembled. The caseback doubles as the mainplate, providing the necessary rigidity and protection for the delicate movement within. Crafted from ultra-hard tungsten carbide, the watch is surprisingly robust despite its wafer-thin profile and can withstand the demands of daily wear.
Remarkably, the watch’s extreme slimness doesn’t come at the expense of accuracy. With COSC certification, it meets the highest standards of precision, proving that even the thinnest watches can deliver exceptional performance. The Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC celebrates Bvlgari’s fusion of innovation and tradition, pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking, while staying true to its heritage.
Time meets music
A bold departure from traditional luxury, the Bvlgari Aluminium GMT x Fender Limited Edition pays tribute to another world of craftsmanship – music. This collaboration with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation honours the 70th anniversary of the Stratocaster, the legendary guitar that left an indelible mark on music history. Inspired by the iconic colours of the Stratocaster, the bold design of Bvlgari’s GMT watch showcases the Italian house’s knack for seamlessly weaving modern culture into its luxury collections.
With its lightweight aluminium and rubber construction, the 40mm model brings Bvlgari’s flair for sporty, contemporary design into the realm of musical heritage. Drawing from the Stratocaster’s signature sunburst colour palette, the watch features creamy white hues and dark brown accents. Its 24-hour GMT scale is cleverly divided into daytime and nighttime hours, allowing travellers to track time across multiple zones with ease, much like musicians on the road.
The cool watch’s limited run of 1,200 pieces is only part of the celebration. To mark this milestone, Fender will also create, upon request, 70 Stratocasters in collaboration with Bvlgari at its Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California. Like Bvlgari’s watches, these bespoke instruments are built to last for generations, embodying both brands’ shared commitment to meticulous craftsmanship and cultural legacy.
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