Bulgari

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

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

-MW

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

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

... 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!

 

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 in the U.A.E. back in 2008.  This version is available in 18k pink gold case with a special black colored cylindrical band around the sides made of magsonic, a proprietary material that provides optimal amplification of the Westminster chime.






The offset hour and minute dial is placed near the 3 o'clock position to reveal the tourbillon and both the grand and petite strike hammers.  I'll post a separate report with pics and video in the next few days.












Walking clockwise through the darkened exhibit was another room dedicated to the Bulgari Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro.  3 glass displays with flashing thematic lighting highlighted the awards earned in 2010, and separate display cases were on the opposite side with the actual watches:





Here's a video of the Octo Bi-Retro exhibit room:


And finally the third exhibit was the special display for the Bulgari Endurer All Blacks watch.  You can hear the All Blacks Haka (Maori challenge) in the background.  There is a large display of a man's face with the Koru Maori tattoo.  You can see the transition from the face to the other side which has the dial of the Endurer All Blacks.



Here's a video that shows the Koru tattoo and the display case for the Endurer All Blacks:

 

Next up is the upper floor area with the full restaurant and bar, and the Bulgari 125 Years of Italian Magnificence display.

Regards,
ED-209
This message has been edited by ED209 on 2011-03-30 17:25:31

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

-MW

No message body

<sup>thx for sharing

J</sup>

After a tour of the downstairs exhibits, we ventured up to the top floor




On the right side are more offices and meeting rooms, plus the Bulgari 125 Years of Italian Magnificence exhibition.  It was more than just historical jewelry pieces from Bulgari's private collection, but also included jewelry and watches from private collectors as well.




And before we tour more of Hall 4.0, we take a quick break in the full size bar, lounge area, and restaurant:






My favorite sparkling water Pellegrino specially labeled for this event:




We arrived just in time for lunch! 





Guests of Bulgari enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal.  Starters were either a veggie tempura that were lightly fried and crispy cardoons (similar to an artichoke), cauliflower, zucchini flower, eggplant and green pepper:



Or the ravioli stuffed with fresh ricotta in butter with broad beans and mint:




For our main course, it was either baked amberjack fish, or the lamb fricasse with artichokes.  Most of our table ordered the lamb and it was delicious:




Dessert was a treat too and anything made with pistachios is a bonus.  This was a melt in your mouth light meringue surrounded with a Bronte pistachio custard.  The flavor of the custard was delicious and one of the most flavorful I've ever had.  My new friends that I met during this lunch told me that Bronte is region in Southern Italy that is renowned for producing these pistachios.  Now I know why, because it was delicious.





Next up is the evening cocktail event with an announcement by Mr. Francesco Trapani and Mr. Guido Terreni.

Regards,
ED-209

Lunch looks really good, never imagined that they would have such gourmet food at a convention.  thanks for the pics.

-MW

I can't wait! 

Really, I can't..........

 

Aaarrgggggh!

 

Regards,

MTF

Hi MTF,

A new watch that will be introduced later this year with.....22 complications!

Regards,
ED-209