Bulgari Baselworld 2011 Exhibit Tour

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ED209 provides a detailed account of his first Baselworld experience, focusing on the Bulgari exhibit in Hall 4.0. This report offers an immersive tour, showcasing Bulgari's renewed focus on its core collections and the impressive scale of its presentation.

This was my first visit to Baselworld and it was an amazing experience. We spent nearly two days at the Bulgari exhibit to preview the watch collection including the Endurer All Blacks, a refreshed version of the iconic Diagono 303, additions to Serpenti and the wide range of complications.
But first, our journey started with a commute from our comfy hotel in nearby Badenweiler, Germany as we made our way into Basel on Thursday morning. Bulgari's exhibit was located in Hall 4 and our driver was able to locate it after a few moments.

At first glance I was impressed with the dedicated front entrance for Bulgari. I did a little research before my visit by reading MTF's coverage from the previous year, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual full experience and size of the exhibit.

Ping and I checked in with the front desk staff and received our guest badges.

The main lobby area had a simple sign for the Buglari 125 Years of Italian Magnificence display that had been on tour in Rome, Paris and in the near future to Shanghai and Beijing. This exhibition showcases nearly 100 unique creations from Bulgari's archives.

This was merely the entrance, there was a long two tiered steep staircase leading down to the lower level that leads further to many, many more exhibition rooms, private salons, a full bar and upscale restaurant. This wasn't just an simple exhibit, it was a mini-sized city with Baselworld.

As we made our way down the staircase we came to a 4 point crossing with two side exhibits (these rooms were dark but we will explore this later). Heading straight towards the coat check desk the hallway opens up to a larger display area with corridor walls with large flat panel screens showing videos of the complete Bulgari collection from watches, to leather goods, to the commercials with Julianne Moore.

As we walk past the video screen monitors, the room opens up even more and we're treated to the main watch displays. Bulgari has a wide range of watches, but this year there is a renewed focused on the 4 main collections: Diagono, Gerald Genta Octo, Daniel Roth Endurer, and Serpenti.

First stop on the left is the Diagono collection with the classic BVLGARI-BVLGARI logo on the bezel. There were several pieces on display but the most noticeable was the new Diagono Calibro 303. Besides the difference in dial color and new choice of a pink gold case on a alligator strap, there were some significant but subtle changes to the Calibro 303 which IMO will be well received.

Here's a shot from outside the display case. Can you spot some of the changes? More on this latter when we take a closer look at the Calibro 303.

In between displays were 4 stands with Apple iPads with the latest Bulgari apps that has the Gerald Genta Magsonic Grande Sonnerie minute repeater with recordings of the Westminster chimes.
Next is the Gerald Genta Octo line which included the Octo Bi-Retro Steel/Ceramic that in 2010 had won the Watch Of The Year prize by Montres Passion.

And one of the biggest news that Ping and I had revealed a few days earlier, the Daniel Roth Endurer and the new All Blacks special edition. For close up pictures and videos of the All Blacks SE, please: click here to read the full report

And finally on the opposite side was the ladies Serpenti collection. Several pieces were on display from Bulgari's high jewelry line.

In part 2, we visit the grand complications rooms, the recent awards for the GG Octo, and the All Blacks exhibit.... stay tuned!

Regards,
ED-209

Key Points from the Discussion

The Bulgari exhibit featured hidden rooms displaying masterpieces like the Gerald Genta Octo Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon, a complication with four gongs capable of Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, and Westminster chime.
The exhibit also showcased the Bulgari Gerald Genta Magsonic, an 18k pink gold version with a special black coating, previously seen at a PuristSPro GTG in 2008.
Beyond watches, the Bulgari 125 Years of Italian Magnificence exhibition included historical jewelry pieces from both Bulgari's archives and private collectors.
Attendees were impressed by the sheer scale of the Bulgari exhibit, which felt like a 'mini-sized city' within Baselworld, complete with private salons, a bar, and a restaurant.
The new Diagono Calibro 303, with subtle but significant changes, was highlighted as a key focus for the brand, alongside the Gerald Genta Octo, Daniel Roth Endurer, and Serpenti collections.

The Discussion

DRMW

Mar 28, 2011

Thanks for the event coverage, based on the scale of the event from your pics, the place looks humongous! -MW

ATM

Mar 28, 2011

Hi Ed, Wow, nice coverage for us those who weren't able to go to Basel. Thanks for the detailed picture. Any chance you took pics of Bulgari jewelries? Regards, ATM

ED209

Mar 28, 2011

Hi ATM, New Serpenti's from the high jewelry collection and others coming up in several parts of this report. Stay tuned! Regards, ED-209 This message has been edited by ED209 on 2011-03-28 23:39:18

ATM

Mar 28, 2011

... hurry up with your posts, will you . It's less than 3/4 of a year left before Christmas, so I got to start putting my wish list, hehehe, ... kidding!

ED209

Mar 29, 2011

So what hidden treasures are being displayed in the almost pitch black exhibit rooms on the lower level? Bulgari watch masterpieces collection! The first was the Bulgari Gerald Genta Octo Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon. This complication has 4 gongs that are capable of operating as a Grande Sonnerie and Petite Sonnerie, as well as Westminster chime. The other display case had the Bulgari Gerald Genta Magsonic. My first experience with this watch was a special private showing during a PuristSPro GTG

DRMW

Mar 30, 2011

Look forward to the video of the Grand Sonnerie, hopefully you got clips of the piece chiming. -MW

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