Bulgari

The BVLGARI Gerald Genta Sapphire Tourbillon has finally made it way to the United States!  A special collection of Bulgari, Daniel Roth, and Gerald Genta complicated timepieces, including some prototypes, were shown to an exclusive group of collectors.  Team PuristSPro was invited to attend a preview of this collection at the flagship Bulgari Boutique at Crystals Mall in City Center Las Vegas. 

The first piece I was excited to see was the sapphire tourbillon.  Last month Kong had posted pics of the prototype
click here and found it to be a stunning piece.  I couldn't wait to see this in person and I was impressed by the 3 dimensional depth of the movement.  Not only does the sapphire toubillon use a Cal 8000 skeletonized movement, but the sapphire bridges and the case itself gives it a true 'see thru' movement.  It really has to be seen in person to appreciate the depth and visual impact of the watch.





Views from the transparent caseback.  This particular piece was a prototype, No. 00 and made in white gold.  It felt very light almost as though it was titanium:

The 'BVLGARI' logo etched in the sapphire bridge.  I don't care what most think about the BLVGARI logo on Gerald Genta watches, this placement looks great to me:

The signature crown with the polished tips.  It provided a solid texture for winding and was very smooth without catching on my shirt when I wore the watch:

One of the coolest features, luminous side markers on the side of the case:

White gold deployant clasp and crocodile strap.  I really liked how the skeleton theme was taken with the lightening cuts on the clasp:

At 53mm lug to lug, I was afraid that it would be too large on my small wrists.  But you can see that it fit rather nicely

I've got a video coming up and a few more complications.  It's really exciting to see these pieces and I can't wait to examine a regular production watch.

Regards,
ED-209

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2010-09-15 23:08:42

 I really like the way they did the lume on the inner chapter ring, overall a great design.  Thanks for the pics!

-MW

Hi DRMW,
I agree, the lume is so cool!   My favorite picture is this one taken by Kong:

Regards,
ED-209

No message body

Waiting for the rest of the watches ED

Hi fai9al_429,

Thanks for checking out the post.  At first I didn't think I would like all those protrusions on the side of the case, but when I saw it in person it was totally different.  I really like the design and they way Bulgari made the side transparent.  Hope you have a chance to see it and get some wrist time

I had a chance to see the entire collection of Bulgari, GG, and DR complication pieces and will post more pics and videos shortly.

Regards,
ED-209

The BVLGARI Gerald Genta Sapphire Tourbillon has been tantalisng PuristS and other watchlovers since Baselworld 2010.

Thanks for the update from Las Vegas.

 

Back in April 2010, BVLGARI teased us with an un-named watch in a showcase at Basel.  Our PuristSPro Baselwold report is here:  click here

 

The watch had no official name since it had not been decided. PuristS were calling it the BVLGARI Collection Gerald Genta Sapphire Tourbillon.

Later, it was confirmed that the watch would be called......er.......the BVLGARI Collection Gerald Genta Sapphire Tourbillon! 

 

 

The next PuristS' sighting was in Singapore at the opening of the BVLGARI Boutique at Marina Bay Sands Resort: click here

Kong gave us some clearer (sic)     (geddit?)  photos of the transparent casea and luminescent 'pillars'.

 

Now, the piece has been spotted in Las Vegas.

 Where will the next sighting be? 

 

Regards,

MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-09-16 02:00:37

Baselworld and Singapore always gets the cool stuff, so I was very happy to finally see this on the West Coast!  I hear that the complications collection is making it's way around the U.S. boutiques, so hope everyone has a chance to check them out.

Regards,
ED-209

it would be nice for the customer versions to have some colour to the sapphire, it looks faintly bland as it is.

best

Graham

It's a beautiful watch no doubt and the blue is a standout unique feature.  I feel like the watch is very refined and the case design is more delicate and conservative.  For me, it's hard to compare the two because although they are similar they are also very different with different personalities and clientele. I like them both for different reasons.  Perhaps a bit of color would add to the visual interest of the Bulgari piece but the unique lume feature ends up being a nice surprise.

Hi Graham,

I'm a big fan of the UN Royal blue tourbillon (and my favorite color is blue, so that make's it easy) but IMO the Bulgari looks more technical and cutting edge, whereas the UN looks more like a dress watch.  And that lume is really cool.  I think if Bulgari made a blue version with bluish lume would be a great looking watch.  Thanks for checking out this post.  I've got a bunch of other tourbillon pics from my visit, will post soon.

Regards,
ED-209

...for Bulgari. The design is very cool.  I like how they took a "step down" approach to the lugs which I assume contributed to a better fit on the wrist and the high-tech, mechanical look.  Thanks Ed for the photos and review. Any idea of price point?   

Hi Ping,
I agree, it has a real high tech, mechanical look to it and at the same time the skeletonized movement with sapphire bridges makes it look elegant. 
This was a prototype however there was no pricing information yet.  I'll see if we can find out more details.

Regards,
ED-209

about 8 years ago.  However, this is a stronger design element.  Love the winding crown and the case.  Not something I would necessarily buy, but I do admire it.

Andrew H

Thanks Andrew for checking out the pics.

Regards,
ED-209

I wonder if the size could go down to 50mm or maybe even 48mm, that should make it MUCH more wearable.

Few things i would change:

- As cool as the idea of the lume is, i think it maybe is kinda out of place for such a prestige watch?
- Being see thru, maybe the finishing could be better? Or was it the concept to have it finished this way?

Hi takashi78,

The prototype fit pretty well on my wrist, and if they sized it a little bit smaller it would have been great.  But I like the boldness of the original large case and given that it is a prototype it really stands out. 

Which areas do you think the finishing could be better?  I have some pics of other tourbillons in the new collection, maybe we can do a pictorial comparison?   So.... which other piece do you want to see first? :P

Regards,
ED-209

to have a comparison pic done if you have the time.
Maybe the pics isnt doing the watch any justice and something that has to be seen in person.
To me maybe being a skeleton watch it needs more polishing on different angles to make the watch reflects lights better.
I think even if a watch is designed as big as this has the correct angles built on the lugs it actually will make the watch very wearable.