Bulgari has spent the last decade or so perfecting its ultra-thin movements in the Octo collection, reaching a finale of flatness with the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC that measures just 1.70 mm. While we have been marvelling at the brand’s ultra-thin technology, the Maison has also been busily working on something else: the miniaturization of brand-new mechanical movements to equip its Serpenti timepieces.
The Piccolissimo
In 2022, Bulgari unveiled its smallest mechanical movement ever – the Piccolissimo Calibre BVL 100 measuring just 12.30 mm across by 2.50 mm thick and weighing 1.3 grams. This miniature movement, with is 102 components, was made entirely in-house at Bulgari’s manufacture in Le Sentier and has been reserved exclusively for the its haute joaillerie Serpenti timepieces. Movements of this size are extremely difficult to produce on a large scale, so although the high-end Serpentis are being served with this delightful manual movement, the rest of the collection was still powered by quartz.
Today’s female clientele is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about watches and movements, with many preferring a mechanical movement over quartz. It was for this reason that, three years ago, Bulgari started working on a new mini automatic movement, which is being launched today for the start of LVMH’s annual Watch Week.
The New BVS100 Lady Solo Tempo Automatic
It is perhaps not a coincidence that next week will usher in the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake. If there was a year to introduce such a movement, this is it! This new BVS100 Lady Solo Tempo Automatic measures 19 mm x 3.90 mm, weighs a mere five grams, has an autonomy of 50 hours, and indicates the time only (hours, minutes, and seconds). Its oscillating weight has been decorated with seven serpent scales, mimicking the reptile’s skin, and can be admired beneath a sapphire crystal case back on the underside of the snake’s head.
Serpenti Seduttori and Serpenti Tubogas
To celebrate this new automatic movement, Bvlgari is unveiling seven new references in the Serpenti Seduttori and Serpenti Tubogas lines. A keen eye will notice that the case is slightly thicker than before, to accommodate the new movement, but on the wrist, you hardly notice the change. There are five references in the Serpenti Seduttori collection with two steel references, one gold-and steel model, and two fully set models, with one in yellow gold with diamonds, and the other in white gold with diamonds.
For the Serpenti Tubogas, there are two new rose gold models, one with two tours of the wrist, and the other with three. All these new models feature diamonds on the bezel and the word “automatic” on the dial (except for the full-set models, where there is literally no room due to all the sparkle)!
This new movement marks a new milestone for the brand and the Serpenti collection which has been possible thanks to the impressive manufacturing know-how that Bulgari has been building over the last 33 years. Its three manufacturing sites across Switzerland – Neuchâtel (HQ and assembly), Le Sentier (movement production), and Saignelégier (case and dial making) ensure that this Roman-born brand has the freedom to be as creative as possible in terms of both the aesthetics and the technology of its watches, and it shows.
