New Pictures of Bulgari's Calibre 168

Sep 13, 2012,11:25 AM
 





CALIBRE 168
 




New pictures of Bulgari's first in-house movement, CALIBRE 168, a mechanical self-winding base movement entirely designed, developed and produced in-house. It was launched at Baselworld 2010 and now powers watches in the Sotirio Bulgari Collection. 


Calibre 168 has represented the culmination of a lengthy verticalization process that has led the brand throughout the past decade to progressively establish and build an integrated manufacturing division.  In these new pictures, we can get a better view of the sophisticated finishing that includes Côtes de Genève motif and a circular-grained mainplate, highlighted by the exquisitely crafted bidirectional oscillating weight.



POWERFUL TORQUE

In addition to the powerful torque with which it is possesses, Calibre168– which powers the Sotirio Bulgari line–features an instant-jump central date indication.  Its other main characteristics include optimal recharging of the mainspring energy supply thanks to its bidirectional oscillating weight and winding system.  Calibre 168 is equipped with a disconnecting-gear device for the automatic-winding system during manual winding.  It optimises winding of the barrel via the crown and thus avoids any risk of premature wear of the automatic-winding gear train.

The construction of Calibre 168 also had to meet a set of technical constraints with a
few to future developments.  These include a cross-through balance bridge endowing the regulating organ with sufficient rigidity to guarantee rating stability, while the main plate and bridges are machined from nickel silver, a metal alloy typical of high-end mechanical movements and which is complex to work with yet ensures impressive overall sturdiness and rigidity of the movement structure.







CALIBRE BVL 168 – TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Description                   BVL168, mechanical self-winding Calibre; 168parts
Diameter                      11.5 lignes
Display                         Hours, minutes, seconds, instant-jump central date
Dimensions                   Ø Casing diameter: 25.60mm– Total thickness: 4.75mm
Jewelling                      25 jewels
Power reserve              42 hours
Frequency                    4Hz – 28,800v/h
Winding                        Via a bidirectional oscillating weight
Balance                        Glucydur – 3 spokes
Adjustment                   by micrometrical screws (fine adjustment)
Bridges                         Barrel & geartrain: all of a piece construction(¾bridge);
                                     balance: cross-through type
Mainplate & bridges       Nickelsilver
Oscillating weight          Bimetallic
Main plate                     Adorned circular graining
Lever bridge                 Circular grained
¾Vbridge                      Côtes de Genève
Bridge rim                     Bevelled
Bridge bevel                  Diamond-polished
Central date plate          Snailed circular graining
Barrel                            Snailed drum
Oscillating weight           Nickelsilver, dedicated Sotirio Bulgari cut-out, straight satin-
                                     brushed flange, sun burst satin-brushed heavy segment

  
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For Ping's original post in Bulgari forum: bulgari.watchprosite.com

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