Bvlgari Revs it Up with Gran Turismo, Creates Two Special Edition Timepieces

Strategic video games play a crucial role not only in entertainment and education, but also in cognitive development. They often feature complex narratives, immersive environments, and challenging gameplay, keeping players engaged for extended periods. Many strategic games require players to think critically, plan ahead, and make decisions, based on the available information. This can enhance cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and decision-making. Tapping into the creativity of video games, watchmakers have from time to time forged alliances with this particular industry, creating unique timepieces.

On the occasion of the 2023 Gran Turismo World Series Finals, held in Barcelona recently, Bvlgari has launched the new Aluminium x Gran Turismo Special Edition. As all gaming buffs would know, Gran Turismo is a series of globally known racing simulation video games and the Gran Turismo World Series comprises fiercely competitive professional Gran Turismo world championship esports tournaments. Along with two chronographs, the luxury brand has also unveiled the BVLGARI Aluminium Vision Gran Turismo concept car in full scale — it’s a hypercar designed for racing in the Gran Turismo game. In other words, with this creation, Bvlgari has ventured into the virtual racing arena.

The term, ‘Gran Tourer’ or ‘Grand Tourer’, is often used in the automotive industry to describe a type of high-performance luxury car that is designed for long-distance driving, ensuring comfort and style. The term originates from the Italian words, ‘Gran Turismo’. These cars are a combination of performance, comfort, and practicality, and are often characterised by powerful engines, luxurious interiors, and advanced technology features. Released by Sony in 1997, the Gran Turismo series had true-to-life graphics and licensed cars; these realistic driving simulation games are simply among the greatest and most influential racing games of all time. The Gran Turismo World Series 2023 World Finals took place in Barcelona on 1-3 December. Top-ranking drivers from the Online Series participated in the Finals to determine this year's world champions.

Bvlgari has unveiled two new chronographs: an anthracite dial (Ref. 103893) model, limited to 1200 pieces, and a yellow dial novelty (Ref. 104006), limited to 500 pieces. Both models come in 41 mm titanium cases, with black rubber bezels and Bvlgari engraving. Black DLC treatment has been applied on the crown and the chronograph pushers at 3 o’clock, and 4 o’clock. Each crown has protectors. 

The anthracite dial watch gets yellow hour markers, and yellow hour and minute hands. The yellow model gets black hour markers, and white hour and minute hands. This same colour contrast can be found on the tachymeter on the outer periphery of the dial. Each novelty features a white background, black numeral date window at 4:30, a white central second hand and black subdials — a 30-minute subdial at 9 o’clock, a 12-hour subdial at 6 o’clock, and a 60-second subdial at 3 o’clock. The hour and minute hands on each dial are coated with Super-LumiNova®.

The collection is powered by Calibre B381, a self-winding mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Turning each watch over showcases the closed black DLC-treated caseback, engraved with the ‘GT Vision 10th Anniversary’ emblem. The watches are finished on black rubber straps with aluminium links and aluminium pin buckles. Each model is accompanied by an aluminium-and-rubber box, featuring the number ‘10’ prominently — it’s a reference to the 10th anniversary of Vision GT.