Bulgari Watch Case Manufacturing Process

pingtsai · 2013-10-06T01:01:22Z

Explore Bulgari's watch case manufacturing process, from raw gold and steel blocks to finished components, involving precise milling, stamping, and polishing techniques.

pingtsai

WPS member · Bulgari forum

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Pingtsai's detailed exploration of Bulgari's watch case manufacturing process provides a rare look into the intricate steps required to transform raw materials into precision components. This article is essential for understanding the craftsmanship and technical expertise that underpin Bulgari's watchmaking, offering insights into the milling, stamping, and finishing techniques employed.

How is a Block of Gold or Steel Transformed Into a Watch Case at Bulgari?

Case construction is a technically precise operation involving milling, stamping, polishing and more. Each casing must be made to perfection and that must be repeated again and again. At Bulgari, this has to be for the numerous different models that are currently offered and each piece must be inspected along the way to ensure that the highest level of quality is reached.

Milling & Stamping

Depending on the part that is being made, the construction may differ. Some parts are turned on a lathe and others milled on a milling machine. Here we see a case back. The blank is first stamped which forms the outside with its decoration. The inside, which needs very close tolerances to be water tight, is then turned. As here, special chucks are made to hold the parts when working.

The stamped blank.

Here a small selection of the cutting tools used on the milling machines.

These Bulgari Bulgari cases are also first stamped in a procedure with 7 stamps with a heat treatment in between each time to create the logo. Then the cases are turned and polished. Finally the lugs will be soldered on.

Here we see a manipulator robot loading a gold blank into a chuck. The manipulator will then unload the chuck that is presently in the milling machine and replace it with this one.

The gold blank is being milled in this picture. This milling machine can accept 21 different tools, some of which can be seen here on the turret.

This shows some of the work done on this machine. In particular the case back with attached lugs of a Sotirio.

Other work in gold

The blank for a square white gold case back.

More tools for the process

and cases, along with their, in each case, special chucks

I wonder how long it takes to construct all the separate parts in the Diagono X-Pro case. Any guesses?

Does your appreciation of watches increase when you can see the construction process used to create it?

This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2013-10-06 09:42:30

Key Points from the Discussion

The complexity of a multi-component case, such as a dial sandwich construction with 108 parts, significantly enhances the appreciation for a watch's design and engineering.
Understanding the in-house case making process, especially for complex designs, adds significant value when choosing a timepiece, highlighting the importance of manufacturing transparency.
The community is interested in identifying unique Bulgari-specific processes, skills, or attention to detail that differentiate their case manufacturing beyond standard techniques.
Bulgari's multi-piece case construction represents a signature expertise for a jeweler-based watchmaker, positioning it uniquely between traditional one-piece cases and independent creations.

The Discussion

foversta

Oct 6, 2013

It is always a great pleasure to be able to see the whole process of a case making. About your questions, I would say several days? 5? Of course, it is for me very important to know the process... knowing that the watch uses a complex case (but with a smooth and fluid design) is big plus for me when I choose a timepiece! Your report made me think about my visit at the Harry Winston Manufacture which also produces its cases in-house. We don't focus very often on this important step in a watch bui

lien

Oct 6, 2013

bulgari multi-pieces case has a special place in between traditional round one piece case and unusual independent creations, an signature expertise of a strong jeweler based watchmaker brand. curious one this is, a porsche design!? cheers, Ed~

MTF

Oct 6, 2013

Before I knew the case and dial sandwich construction had 108 components, my appreciation of the watch was muted. After I found out it did and why it had to be, we had to choose it for our 10th anniversary celebration.

small-luxury-world

Oct 6, 2013

how things are done and I like it a lot. I am always curious on that kind of things, because it adds a different value to luxury. So far we saw lots of machines and tools, but is there anything special? Something we can only find at Bulgari? Special process, special skills, special attention to the details ... - anything apart from the design? I am really looking forward to that kind of insight and hope I don´t ask for too much. Thanks for sharing, Ping. Oliver

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