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Kong
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Comparing Both Generations of Diagono Calibro 303

Three years after the 20th Anniversary of Bulgari Diagono, the Diagono series continues to develop and responding to the market requirements.  The modifications are improvement, which reflects well of its name Diagono, derived from the ancient Greek word "agon" meaning "competition".  To excel or survive in the challenging watch-market, is to compete with evolving design and creativity.

Let see what BVLGARI has done to the second generation (2G)  Diagono Calibro 303 , the watch which they embarked on the journey of serious watchmaking ( please
For comparison, a Diagono Calibro 303 with a electric blue dial from the 1st Generation ...



Now, the 2011 Diagono Calibro 303 (2G) .... Can you spot the changes?


2011 Diagono Calibro 303, 42mm diameter steel case with pink gold bezel ...


The inner diameter of the bezel was reduced, toning down the 'BVLGARI-BVLGARI' typeface and at the same time, increased the perimeter of the dial.
Minute-train was added onto the chapter ring which is relevant for a chronograph.
 
Observe more white-space around the 12H marker and the logo area.


Date window moved from position 6H to 4:30 .


Without the date window at 6H and more space at the perimeter, a SuperLuminova coated hour marker was added.
The hour-markers at 3H and 9H were lengthened too.

I prefer the old window at 6H for balance and appreciate the difficulty of  stamping a slim raised window and the accurately align to frame the date-window.
With this new change, it does not reduce the complexity too, as the stamping has to be concise so that when both layers of dials stacked together, the sides of the date-window (between the hour marker 4H and 5H) are of equal proportion.

The partially exposed adjacent date-numerals is not pleasant to me.  Subjective as some may prefer it.


Rest of the constructions like multi-layered dial, and pushers and crown remained unchanged.






Did not notice any change to the screw-down sapphire case-back.

Movement is still the robust integrated chronograph FP1185.



Next the other variation of the 2011 Diagono Calibro 303 ...





The Steel case with Steel bezel  with black galvanised theme.


Not surprise to hear it being nicknamed by some here as 'Panda'



Now for a comparison from the side profiles ...


The Calibro 303 with blue strap (above) is the Version 1.


The opposite side.

The 1G's case thickness is at 12.95mm while the 2G  is thinner  at 11.70 to 11.90mm.

The difference is only a small 1.05 mm, so I could not point exactly where the excess materials are trimmed.
It looks very likely removed from the under-side of the caseband.

Visually the differences could be spotted are ....


Changes with the bezel side profile.

The 2G model (bottom piece) does not have the cut-groove on it.

The chamfer of the Version 1 is more gradual and gloss polish spilled over to the side and stopped before the groove.

Whereas in the 2011 model, the groove was gone and the gloss polish stopped at the end of the chamfer.


The caseband was beefed up on the 2011 model to be flush with the crown protector.




Visually, the lugs of the 2011 model angled downward more, and the under-side of the caseband is thinner than the Version 1.


Both these modifications trimmed down the distance of the lugs to the wrist which enable the watch to sit more snugly, and reduce the gap between the wrist and watch when wear on.

Tried both of them, the 2011 model indeed seat better on my small wrist.



Wrist Shots on a gentleman's wrist  ....











It is great that BVLGARI has the Kaizen mindest, and the modifications to the case design is welcome as it improves fit.  As for the aesthetic with moving the date-window, it tend to be subjective.  One thing which I hope the design team will look into, is extending the chronograph-second-hand.  Using the same-hand short with the revised wider dial, and the tip is a bit far away from the chapter-ring for a quick accurate readout.


Kong










Related Read :

1) Press Release of 2011 Diagono 303

Pics of Diagono 303 from Beginning till now :

a) Bulgari Sincere Event in KL 2011

b) Claude Tsai's Pics

d) Construction of initial Diagono 303