Bvlgari Novelties in Gold Steal the Show at the LVMH Watch Week 2024
At the just-concluded LVMH Watch Week 2024, the radiance of gold enhanced the Bvlgari Bvlgari, added glamour to the bejewelled Lucea, and accentuated the sophistication of Octo Finissimo. A special collaboration with Blackpink’s LISA was also unveiled at the LVMH Watch Week.
Bvlgari Bvlgari
On the cusp of its 50th anniversary, Bvlgari Bvlgari reinterprets its original charm in a new look. Pairing yellow gold with a black dial and rose gold with a silver opaline dial, the models offer an irresistible choice between the vintage allure of a 26 mm diameter and the modern appeal of a very contemporary size of 38 mm.
In keeping with the first reference unveiled in 1975, the yellow gold models feature a striking contrast with a black watch face. Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock shine against the dark backdrop, along with the elongated baton indices. The minimalist aesthetic of the dial adds to the bold characters engraved on the bezel. The geometric lugs of the case extend to a black alligator strap.
The rose gold version features a silver opaline dial, with a softer visual appeal. The 38 mm models are powered by Caliber BVL191 ‘solotempo’, a self-winding, mechanical manufacture movement. The 26 mm versions run on quartz movement.
Octo Finissimo Yellow Gold and Tuscan Copper
The highly coveted Octo Finissimo reinterprets the old-timey charm of yellow gold, recalling the first Art Deco watches Bvlgari designed in the late 1930s. The Octo Finissimo Yellow Gold is paired with the brand’s signature blue sunray dial. And, in steel, the Octo Finissimo Tuscan Copper displays the collection’s Italian roots with a dial in a metallic copper hue, reminiscent of a Mannerist painting.
The yellow gold version boasts a sun-like glow, thanks to its lines and Roman-inspired geometry. The case features 58 facets, showcasing the expertise of the Maison. The watch sits on a satin-finished yellow gold bracelet, which offers utmost comfort and is completed by a triple-blade folding clasp. The deep blue lacquered dial has a soft sunray finish, complementing the splendour of gold. Hands and hour markers shine in a golden hue, adding a contrast and ensuring outstanding legibility. At 40 mm x 6.4 mm, the new models have a versatile and gender-neutral appeal. With a water resistance of up to 100 metres, the watch runs on the in-house BVL 138 caliber. The transparent caseback showcases the movement, extraordinarily slim at just 2.23 mm and adorned with hand-finished chamfers, circular graining, and Côtes de Genève stripes.
The Octo Finissimo Tuscan Copper, on the other hand, is a true statement piece. The sunray Tuscan copper dial has a salmon hue that is highly coveted by the brand’s followers. The copper dial is adorned with rhodium-plated hands and indexes to create a subtle visual contrast. The case and the bracelet are crafted in 904L stainless steel, which is of the same grade as that used in the aerospace industry. The watch runs on caliber BVL 138 that provides an ample power reserve of 60 hours.
Bvlgari Lucea
Making its debut in 2014, the Bvlgari Lucea collection offered a fresh approach to jewellery watches. This year, Bvlgari celebrates the 10th anniversary of Lucea with a new, radiant yet contemporary model. Crafted in steel and gold, its reimagined lines – from the bezel to the V-shaped bracelet links – elegantly house dials featuring iridescent mother-of-pearl Intarsio or marquetry made of upcycled malachite fragments. The signature Intarsia technique spreads light, highlighting the natural iridescence of mother-of-pearl, a precious treasure of the seas, and adds a refreshing take on the sunray finish of watch dials. Artisans assemble ‘rays’ of finely cut mother-of-pearl – a task demanding the highest precision, given the material’s brittleness – to create a sunburst pattern with three-dimensional pleating. The brand offers two versions, one in white and the other in green mother-of-pearl.
The green malachite marquetry on Lucea’s dial captures the sixties’ fascination with coloured gemstones. Artisans at the Bvlgari Manufacture in Switzerland pick each fragment for the vibrancy of its hue and the expressiveness of its grain. Every piece is meticulously cut and hand-assembled. Adding to the radiance are 12 brilliant-cut diamonds, claw-set in square, architecturally inspired settings, acting as hour markers on each of these remarkable dials. Another diamond is placed at the V-shaped crown, topped with a cabochon-cut synthetic sapphire.
Bvlgari Bvlgari X LISA
Continuing its partnership with Blackpink's LISA, the brand has launched a special edition of the Bvlgari Bvlgari timepiece. The intriguing and rare Edelweiss flower remains as an inspiration for LISA’s newest collaboration with Bvlgari. Echoing the flower’s delicate nuances, the watch is crafted in steel and rose gold; it features a rose gold bezel engraved with “Bvlgari Bvlgari”. The dial is adorned not only with mother-of-pearl, but also with diamonds. More than 400 squares of mother-of-pearl are cut and assembled on the dial, one by one, to create a geometric motif.
Powered by a quartz movement, the Bvlgari Bvlgari X Lisa Limited Edition comprises 1,100 pieces for the 33 mm version and 400 for the 23 mm iteration.
Image Credits: Bvlgari