LVMH kicked off the year with its LVMH Watch Week 2024 in Miami. The luxury powerhouse conglomerate is known to house watch brands, such as Bulgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer, and Zenith, and among the newest releases for the show were some exquisite variants of Bulgari’s most classic designs.
First up is the classic Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic. As the brand continues to expand its ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Automatic watch, two new models have been unveiled. One is a yellow-gold model with a blue sunburst dial. The other is a steel model, which Bulgari has dubbed “Tuscan Copper,” but is essentially known as a salmon dial.
These latest models sport 40mm octagonal cases that are merely 6.4mm thick. Also, their cases boast 58 facets topped with round bezels that create a visually interesting combination of shapes – a Bulgari signature. Not to mention, the watches are powered by the ultra-thin in-house Caliber BVL 138 self-winding movement that has over 60 hours of power reserve.
The yellow-gold Octo Finissimo Automatic retails for $45,500 US ($69,250 AU), while the stainless steel goes for $13,300 US ($20,240 AU).
Another one of the brand’s classics is the Bulgari Bulgari, which debuted in 1975 and was designed by renowned luxury watch designer Gerald Genta. The watch, with its distinct double-signed bezels, has been a mainstay of the Bulgari watch catalogue for decades. Now, four new models have been announced, made in either rose gold or yellow gold.
Two of the models have 38mm cases which include date windows on the dials, and they run on automatic movements. The yellow-gold Bulgari Bulgari has a matte black dial and a black alligator strap, while the rose gold version is fitted with a silvered matte opaline dial and a brown alligator strap.
On the other hand, the other two models have 26mm cases, time-only dials, and they run on quartz movements. Also, similar to the 38mm model, the yellow-gold Bulgari Bulgari houses a matte black dial and a black alligator strap, too, but the rose gold Bulgari Bulgari has a silvered matte opaline dial and a beige alligator strap.
Moreover, these models have a power reserve of 42 hours and water resistance of up to 50 metres, and they are retailed at $13,000 US ($19,785 AU).
Finally, there’s the Bulgari Lucea, which is the brand’s women’s watch that celebrates its 10th anniversary as a brand classic this year. With this, Bulgari unveiled a collection of new-generation models of the watch. These new models still follow the original design, complete with the prominent v-shaped magenta cabochon-cut stone wrapped around the crown, but the bracelets have been redesigned to feature a curvier silhouette and centre links.
There are two sizes available for the new generation; there are 33 automatic mm versions, and there are 26mm quartz ones. Both sizes, however, are available in 18k rose gold and either two-tone steel or stainless steel. An option for diamond-set bezels is available for the watches, too, where each dial has diamonds made to function as hour markers.
Now, while most dials of the new generation are mother-of-pearl Intersio, which is distinguished by ray-shaped MOP pieces laid out in a sunburst pattern, one model houses a malachite marquetry dial crafted from upcycled pieces of the rich green stone. Aside from that, the watches have a similar power reserve of 42 hours and water resistance of up to 50 metres to the Bulgari Bulgari watches.
With new models for three classic designs, Bulgari stands as an inspiration for luxury watches. Staying true to their commitment to tradition and innovation, Bulgari promises elegance, sophistication, and stylish function for collectors and enthusiasts alike.