Cover Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo
Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo
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Brand‑new additions to the Bvlgari Aluminium collection celebrate the Roman brand’s bold and distinctive design language
Fresh off unveiling the world’s thinnest watch, the 1.70 mm‑thick Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, this April, Bvlgari has introduced new additions to its lauded Bvlgari Aluminium collection: the Bvlgari Aluminium Black GMT, the Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo and the Bvlgari Aluminium White Automatic.
When the first Bvlgari Aluminium was released in 1998, its unprecedented aluminium and rubber case made international headlines. Bvlgari Aluminium models from then till now have also had the words “Bvlgari Bvlgari” embossed on their bezels, just like the watches in the brand’s Bvlgari Bvlgari collection, which debuted in 1977 with a model designed by the prolific Gérald Genta—one that was sparked from the iconic 1975 Bvlgari Roma watch.
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Above Bvlgari Aluminium Black GMT
Bvlgari Aluminium Black GMT
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The Bvlgari Roma and Bvlgari Bvlgari, incidentally, were intrepid endeavours by the brand’s then CEO and art director Gianni Bulgari. The grandson of house founder Sotirios Voulgaris had ventured into watchmaking in the 1970s and his watches made a splash by bucking that era’s design trends.
Till this day, despite jewellery being its core business, Bvlgari’s bold and novel timepieces have garnered a fervent following and amassed numerous accolades. The brand’s success in horology is rooted in its enthusiasm in approaching watchmaking and watch design differently, and this spirit of innovation is no more evident than in the Bvlgari Aluminium series, which was relaunched in 2020 with the Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph. Among other things, the piece, which won the Iconic Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year, features upgraded materials that align with the highest technological standards: a lithe and corrosion‑resistant aerospace alloy the brand named “aluminium alloy 6082”, and the durable fluoroelastomer rubber. Both have been used in all Bvlgari Aluminium models released since.
Above Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo
Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo
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In 2021, the Bvlgari Aluminium was enhanced with a GMT function, which is retained in the newly introduced Bvlgari Aluminium Black GMT, rendered in black and white with pops of red on its face, which has a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The flashy hue comes courtesy of a two‑tone GMT scale along the circumference of its dial, with the day and night hours marked by the red and black portions respectively, as well as a red‑tipped GMT hand and central seconds hand with a red counterweight. Featuring a DLC‑coated titanium caseback and a black rubber bezel, its aluminium case protects the Calibre B192, which has a power reserve of 42 hours.
Those who favour unconventional hues can look to the new Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph Smeraldo. Living up to its name (“Smeraldo” is Italian for “emerald”), this viridescent tricompax chronograph has dark green counters with white hands and markings (to accommodate them, the date window sits at the 4.30 position) set on a gradient dial that graduates from the lightest of greens to an intense emerald, evoking the Mediterranean Sea. Complementing these are dark green hour and minutes hands with white tips, matching pad‑stamped indices, and a seconds hand that is silver polished with a white tip. A bezel and strap in deep green complete the picture. Flip the watch, equipped with the Calibre B130 with a power reserve of 42 hours, to enjoy the Rosa dei venti engraving on its titanium caseback.
Above Bvlgari Aluminium White Automatic
Bvlgari Aluminium White Automatic
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The last of the new additions is the Bvlgari Aluminium White Automatic. In immaculate monochrome white with just a touch of red, owing to the ends of the seconds hand, this time‑only watch with a date window at the 3 o’clock position is driven by the Calibre B77 with a power reserve of 42 hours. Its white rubber and titanium parts are interspersed with and complemented by metallic ones, such as matt‑finished case facets and strap components, and rhodium‑plated hands and indices.
These latest offerings feature cases that measure 40 mm in diameter and are water‑resistant to a depth of 100 m. Each comes with an articulated rubber strap with aluminium links and an aluminium pin buckle.
Under the leadership of long‑serving CEO Jean‑Christophe Babin, Bvlgari has been rolling out new and classic designs that attract collectors who dare to be different. Fans can expect the manufacture to continue releasing distinctive watch designs that showcase its rich watchmaking history and achievements.
Credits
Images: Bvlgari
