Cover Antoine Pin, Bulgari Watch Division managing director
Antoine Pin, Bulgari Watch Division managing director
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Tatler Singapore sat down with the managing director of Bulgari’s watch division, who was in town last month for LVMH Watch Week, to learn more about the Roman brand’s new timepieces
Earlier this year, the four key watch brands of LVMH—Bulgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith—came together to present their first novelties of 2023 at the fourth edition of LVMH Watch Week, which was held in Singapore for the very first time.
During the week of events, we sat down with Antoine Pin, managing director of Bulgari’s watch division to learn more about the Roman brand’s new timepieces, which were launched with the theme of 'Time is a Jewel'.
“There's always a moment during the year when we talk about the world of jewellery watches because jewellery is where we belong and it's where we live,” says Pin. “We have lots of things to say—even more so now because as a full-fledged manufacture we can merge the world of high horology and high jewellery to really make the most of what a jewellery watch can offer”.
In case you missed it: Bulgari’s Eden, The Garden of Wonders High Jewellery Collection
Above Divas' Dream Amethyst & Tourmaline watch alongside a Bulgari necklace from 1989 with amethysts, aquamarine, rubies and diamonds
Divas' Dream Amethyst & Tourmaline watch alongside a Bulgari necklace from 1989 with amethysts, aquamarine, rubies and diamonds
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In crafting jewellery watches, it is an opportunity for the brand to review its rich history—Bulgari has been producing jewellery watches for over a century and the earliest piece dates back to the early 1910s. Additionally, in choosing the theme 'Time is a Jewel', there is an emphasis on how the brand perceives time and its priceless value.
“It’s the notion of the preciousness of time, how rare it is and that like a jewel, time shapes things; it takes time—millions of years— for extraordinary precious stones to take shape as well,” he explains. “This connection of the preciousness of jewellery and time is really key. In our world today, there is nothing more precious than time.”
He brings up the example of how demand continues to surpass supply greatly in the watches and jewellery industry, with long waiting lists to the point where consumers are ready to do—and pay—what it takes to get to the front of the queue.
“It just tells you how valuable time is. It's crazy and unfortunately, we can’t gain time for these people. The reality is that the demand is many, many times bigger than what we can do. There is no miracle,” says Pin, adding that manpower is limited, especially when it comes to the more precious pieces that require specialised skills.
“But I like this idea that desirability is returning. We live in a time where everything is within reach right here and right now, and there is a huge level of impatience. But through our jewellery and watches and the complexity of these artisanal pieces, we’re rebuilding the desire, which I think is important and it's almost an education.”
Above The Serpenti Tubogas Infinity comes in single- and double-tour versions
The Serpenti Tubogas Infinity comes in single- and double-tour versions
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Good things take time, as the saying goes, and great things take a little longer. The sense of satisfaction customers enjoy when their desires are eventually fulfilled is incomparable, Pin believes. This same patience and value placed on time are applied to Bulgari’s technical developments as well.
The new Serpenti Tubogas Infinity launched at LVMH Watch Week is a fine example of this, as it is the first time Bulgari has managed to set the bracelet of the Tubogas with diamonds, thanks to the skilled artisans of the house.
“This piece is absolutely the highlight for me,” says Pin. “It’s not just a metal frame; the bracelet is made up of links and every link is different. It requires very manual and complex, tedious work to craft and set each link and it’s really the work of a jeweller.”
Alongside this seductive serpentine silhouette that wraps around the wrist and dazzles with diamonds, the rest of the collection is made up of colourful and joyful jewellery watches that are just as precious.
This includes two new Divas’ Dream Mosaica models in blue sapphire and pink sapphire, which both have fully paved dials in Bulgari’s distinct fan-shaped pattern—a nod to the mosaics adorning the Baths of Caracalla. The same motif make up the bezel of the opulent Divas’ Dream creations, together with vibrant topazes, tanzanites, amethysts, tourmalines, rubies and diamonds.
Allegra Pink Sapphires in a 36mm rose gold case with diamonds, pink sapphires, 1 pink tourmaline, citrines, pink rhodolites and péridots
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
