Nature and History Converge on the Bvlgari High-End Watches Launched with the Mediterranea High-Jewellery Collection

Bvlgari recently unveiled the new Mediterranea high-jewellery collection, along with an exquisite range of high-end watches, at a star-studded event, held in Venice’s Palazzo Ducale. The bejewelled timepieces seamlessly blend gorgeous Italian designs with the prowess of Swiss watchmaking.

International celebrities, including Bvlgari’s brand ambassadors Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lisa of Blackpink, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway, attended the spectacular ceremony.

The collection revolves around three pillars, namely ‘Southern Radiance’, ‘Roman Splendor’ and ‘East Meets West’. GMT India shares with you snapshots of what’s on offer.

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Southern Radiance

The characteristic elements of Southern Italy, such as intricate architecture, lush gardens and sunny coastlines, converge in the ornate vibrancy of the Southern Radiance creations. Expressing Bvlgari’s vivacious and fierce spirit, the creations celebrate the richness of the Mediterranean underwater world while emphasising the brand’s Roman DNA. Each watch in this chapter is mechanical and powered by the brand's high horology calibers, particularly the Piccolissimo caliber BVL 100. 

Bvlgari’s Neuchatel-based watch design studio, along with the brand’s skilled artisans and coloured gemstone experts, has simulated on the watches underwater gardens with a variety of hidden treasures. 

Giardino Marino Grande Secret Watch Ref. 103869

The Giardino Marino Grande secret watch features a wondrous combination of fish, seashells, anemones set on tremblers, mobile corals and decorated beads. It is crafted from over 4,800 colourful precious stones and gems; the stones are carefully matched within each other for visually pleasing colour effects. 

Measuring just 12 mm in diameter, the watch is studded with rare gemstones, such as a central 3.96-carat cabochon rubellite and Paraiba tourmalines. The dial of the watch is powered by the Piccolissimo micro-mechanical movement, which is the smallest round mechanical caliber in the market, attesting to the Maison’s art of miniaturisation. 

Giardino Marino Piccolo Secret Watch Ref. 103875 

The Giardino Marino Piccolo secret watch features a stunning combination of blues and greens, wherein a reef featuring fish, anemones and seashells is recreated on a Southern Italy-inspired vibrant colour palette. The watch is studded with a variety of diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, tanzanites, green tourmalines, tsavorites, topazes and peridots. The dial can be seen through the central topaz which houses the Piccolissimo mechanical micro round movement.

Divas’ Dream Acquarium Watch Ref. 103866 

As the name suggests, the watch recreates a miniaturised living aquarium under a cabochon-inspired dome. The dial is paved with degradé Paraiba tourmalines, sapphires and diamonds. The two swimming fish are enriched with two pear-shaped stones: one with rubies and rubellites and the other with Paraiba tourmalines and sapphires. Even the white gold, flexible bracelet is adorned with Paraiba tourmalines, sapphires and diamonds while the caseback is hand-engraved with a dedicated marine drawing.

‍Octo Roma Mediterranea Secret Men’s Watch Ref. 103874

It showcases a ‘precious’ octopus, crafted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and Paraiba tourmalines; its tentacles seem to emerge from the medallion. The Octo Roma Mediterranea Secret Men’s Watch displays unparalleled craftsmanship and creativity.

Featuring a 44 mm rose gold case, set with diamonds, and a blue alligator strap, the watch is powered by the ultra-thin manual movement, BVL 268 SK caliber, with a flying tourbillon. 

Roman Splendor

The practice of using Greek and Roman coins in Bvlgari collections was introduced by Nicola Bulgari in the sixties and soon these became a signature of the brand. Featuring coins, the new Roman Splendor range employs the antique art of cameo carving, which dates back to fifth century BC Greece. The exquisite cameo art gained extreme popularity in ancient Rome, notably in the family circle of Augustus. Honouring this tradition and its Roman roots, Bvlgari pays homage to the greatest sovereigns of all times: Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and the First Emperor of Rome, Augusto Ottaviano. Bvlgari collaborated with world-famous Torre del Greco-based artisans in keeping with the brand’s commitment to using traditional techniques and honouring the history and heritage of cameo carving. 

The Cameo Imperiale Secret Watch Necklace Ref. 103670

The pendant of the Cameo Imperiale secret watch necklace features the noble profile of Queen Cleopatra as a cameo. Paired with a rose gold chain, the pendant, concealing a watch, is decked with diamonds and brilliant-cut rubies. The watch case is also studded with sapphires while diamonds are snow-set around the sophisticated Tourbillon Lumière manual-winding mechanical movement, BVL 208, in gold with a power reserve of 64 hours. All components are decorated and finished by hand and the openwork mechanism highlights the intricate details of the watch’s inner workings. 

Octo Roma Secret Watch Cameo Imperiale Ref. 103684

The one-of-a-kind Octo Roma Secret Watch Cameo Imperiale features a platinum cap with the profile of a Roman emperor, made in cameo and set with diamonds and lapis lazuli. The 44 mm platinum case is studded with diamonds and the watch is paired with a black alligator strap. It is powered by an ultra-thin manual winding mechanical movement, BVL 268 SK caliber, with a flying tourbillon. 

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Serpenti 75

Bvlgari’s iconic motif, the snake, is also a powerful symbol found in different Mediterranean cultures, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to ancient Greece and ancient Rome. As the brand celebrates its 75th anniversary, the snake is now honoured with two incredible high-end watches, included in the Mediterranea collection. 

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Serpenti Misteriosi Pallini Secret Watch Ref. 103882 

Gracefully coiling around the wrist, the new Serpenti Misteriosi Pallini Secret Watch draws inspiration from the yellow gold and diamond Serpenti secret watch of 1955. With the introduction of the Piccolissimo movement, the proportions were significantly reduced, ensuring a sophisticated aesthetic and an impeccable fit. Emeralds, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds are set on tremblers, guaranteeing dynamic movement for the patented bracelet design. The watch head is crafted in white gold and enriched with round, brilliant-cut diamonds and two pear-shaped emerald eyes. 

Serpenti Misteriosi Dragone High Jewellery Ref. 103785

Inspired by the Serpenti watch designed by Bvlgari for Elizabeth Taylor for her role in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s Cleopatra, the Serpenti Misteriosi Dragone secret watch features a white gold dragon head, covered with diamonds and two pear-shaped emerald eyes. The three-twirl white gold bracelet is studded with round, brilliant-cut diamonds and emeralds.

The watch head opens when the little tongue is pressed and reveals a dial that can be easily turned, enabling you to wear the timepiece either on the left or on the right wrist, as was the case with the heritage piece. 

East Meets West

As the name suggests, this range offers the best of both worlds. 

Oriental Buds High-Jewellery Secret Watch Ref. 103861 

Evoking a lush, exotic garden, the Oriental Buds high-jewellery secret watch has a matching necklace. Its geometric symmetry is inspired by Byzantine architecture and boasts a charming combination of diamonds, tourmalines, emeralds and sapphire beads. A 5.65 carat Colombian cushion-cut emerald is found nested in a pavé-diamond setting that features Indian Mughal-inspired motifs. By pushing the central emerald, the flower reveals the dial with sparkling diamonds. The watch is powered by a quartz movement.