BVLGARI Diagono Ultranero Chronograph (Red) Review

Kong · 2014-06-30T08:42:13Z

First look at the BVLGARI Diagono Ultranero Chronograph (Red). Discover its DLC titanium case, ceramic bezel, and sporty black and red design. Prototype review.

Kong

WPS member · Bulgari forum

8 replies6394 views1 photos

Looking at previous Diagono versions which were very well-made and styled, one tends to think, not really much could be improved. Not quite true, BVLGARI has better the former more dressy Diagono with the new and stunning Diagono Ultranero Chronograph with red minute-track, subdials and chronograph second-hand. And the name Ultranero, in Italian is also meant 'ultra black'. There is something about Red and Black. When both come together, the watch tends to be sporty and has a certain stealthy character, and this new brush-polished Diagono Ultranero exhibits just that.

Note : This is a prototype piece.

Similar complex construction as former Diagono Models. Case is diameter 42mm, stainless steel and DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) surface treated by better wear resistance. Not only that, according to the specifications, the bezel is of ceramic too for better scratch protection.

Just a quick note about the ceramic bezel fabrication. Initially both raw materials were blended - zirconium dioxide and a polymer binder which then being injected into a mold through a pressure of 25 tonnes. The molded part is then baked at high temperature at 1500 degree C, for a week to set the part. After which the part will shrink by 30% of its original molded shape. The part then sent to further surface finishing with diamond-tipped tools to get the brush and satin finish. All in all, it takes more than 1 week to have a ready ceramic bezel.

Bezel like the rest of the surface is matt brush-polished, but the circumference is chamfered and gloss-polished to give an interesting light play.

Looking from the dial side (referring to Picture 1 above), everything is black with just sheen from the chamfered edges of the lugs, pushers and the edge of the crown.
The screw-in stainless steel crown is fitted with ceramic insert.

On the side, the crown, pushers and lug-screws were left to retain its natural steel surface to provide a contrast-play.

Both hour and minute hands, and hour indexes (except for the numeral '12') are with luminescent for low light time readout.

The chronograph subdials would require good lighting to be legible.

Diagono Ultranero Chronograph is paired with rubber strap with metal inserts and a steel buckle, for daily rugged and wet condition usage as the water-resistant is rated to 100m.

Solid screw-down caseback. Within is an automatic movement Calibre B130, likely to be an established ETA 2894.

Though the diameter is 42mm, the lugs-construction is like a 'hinge design', thus the strap could drop quickly and flow around petite wrists ....

An example on the wrist of a lady-friend ....

Still looks great on a 'bigger' wrist of a gentleman's wrist ...

Aesthetically, this Diagono Ultranero Red is really cool, and it is also versatile to be worn for both formal and informal occasions. It could also be nice piece to be shared between couple too.

Do you like it?

Kong

Related Reads :

Comparing Both Generations of Diagono Calibro 303

Construction of initial Diagono 303

This message has been edited by Kong on 2014-07-01 08:16:44

The Discussion

SALMANPK

Jun 30, 2014

Very very cool design and colors, so Italian, I even have a theme song for this piece running through my head S

Kong

Jun 30, 2014

I like this show !! Why this song comes to mind? Red ... or a breakthrough is coming :-) Thanks for viewing, S. Kong PS : I was watching Episode 3, when typing the post. Coincident.

SALMANPK

Jun 30, 2014

It's so cool you were watching the show :-), I really like the show as well, the theme from Halt and Catch Fire reminds me of the start of the personal computing era in the late 1970s/early 1980s with people like Sir Clive Sinclair pushing the boundaries in the UK and Jobs/Wozniak in the US. The sound track for the whole era for me has to be Giorgio Morodor's work With Donna Summer Sound of the Future :-) Imagine listening to this music while driving your Cizeta Morodor With the Bulgari Ultrane

Kong

Jul 1, 2014

S, thanks for the reminiscence! That's was my school time, the new wave era :-) Somehow (perhaps its just me), the song from DS, is still relevant today... a classic even though with synthesizer. Giorgio Moroder is an Italian too :-) His songs that sticks the most is 'Together in Electric Dreams '. Check out the watch when it hits the Boutiques. Just got an update, the bezel is of ceramic, take a real long time to produce a piece due to the 'BVLGARI BVLGARI' motifs. Kong

MichaelC

Jul 3, 2014

We have seen black and red combined for years from most manufacturers. Some look better than others. I would include this watch in the "success" versions. The little polished areas really do a lot for the look, and I have always enjoyed watches with multiple case finishes. Thanks Kong!

Marcus Hanke

May 11, 2015

I just deposited on a black DLC chronograph from a different manufacturer, which is more into the muy macho design corner. Had I seen this review earlier, I might have asked for this Bulgari at my local dealer. Marcus

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