Bvlgari launches four limited-edition timepieces in exclusive marble dials

Last month, paying tribute to Rome, the brand’s birthplace, Bvlgari unveiled a high-jewellery collection. Further expanding its portfolio of offerings, the brand has now released four limited-edition watches, of which two feature green (26mm Ref. 104111 and 38mm Ref. 104112) and two feature blue marble dials (38mm Ref. 104112 and 26mm Ref. 104191). The watches commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bvlgari Roma line.

Each watch is unique

Bvlgari Bvlgari 50th Anniversary Ref. 104111

With these four anniversary models, Bvlgari honours the dual origins of Bvlgari Roma and Bvlgari Bvlgari lines. The green marble watches, crafted in 18K yellow gold and each limited to 150 pieces, feature the inscription ‘BVLGARI ROMA’ on their bezels, while the blue ones, crafted in 18K rose gold are engraved with ‘BVLGARI BVLGARI’. The larger models in both colour variants, are powered by the self-winding in-house calibre BVL 191 Solotempo with a 42-hour power reserve, while the 26 mm ladies' watches feature quartz technology and 12 diamond hour markers.

50 Years of Bvlgari Bvlgari Anniversary Model 104191 with Azzurro Infinito Marble Dial

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Bvlgari has extensive experience working with marble, especially in its jewellery. Cutting thin dials from this material was a particularly delicate task. At the same time, the varied grain makes each watch unique. For the green models, Bvlgari chose green Verde Alpi marble. There is a difference with the blue leaves: The smaller one is made of icy blue Azzurro Infinito marble, and the larger model is adorned with a leaf of medium to dark blue Blu Incanto marble.

50 Years of Bvlgari Bvlgari: Anniversary model with Blu Incanto marble dial

1975: Birth of the Bvlgari Roma

The story of Bvlgari Bvlgari began in 1975 with an obvious idea: While the elegant ladies who visited the famous Roman jeweller's shop not far from the Spanish Steps revelled in jewellery and watches, their companions had to sit idly and often bored by. Bvlgari was looking for a product that could also attract the attention of men. And so Gianni Bulgari finally designed a piece to match.

First Bvlgari Roma from 1975

The original model, on which the later Bvlgari Bvlgari was based, had a gold dial reminiscent of an ancient Roman coin. At its centre was a digital time display, and the edge was adorned with the inscription ‘BVLGARI ROMA’ – in capital letters, with the Roman V as a U, as it had also appeared on the entrance to the shop on Via dei Condotti since 1934. The new digital technology, combining the digital technology associated with inexpensive watches from Japan with precious gold, was unique and daring. Accordingly, Bvlgari produced only 100 pieces. This was soon followed by a production model with an analog display, also inscribed "BVLGARI ROMA."

1977: The first Bvlgari Bvlgari

First Bvlgari Bvlgari from 1977

But Bvlgari's real breakthrough came in 1977 when, based on the design of the Bvlgari Roma, it launched the first true Bvlgari Bvlgari. Its bezel now featured the double brand name. The reference to ancient Rome with its imperial gold coins and the typography described above created a typically Roman attitude to life. At the same time, it was the first time the brand name was used so ostentatiously as a design element. It thus anticipated what would later become characteristic of the design of luxury goods. Bvlgari soon noticed that the Bvlgari Bvlgari, originally intended for men, was being bought by both men and women. It became such a success that, from 1980 onwards, Bvlgari consolidated its watch activities into the newly founded Bvlgari Time SA in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

All four models are worn on an alligator leather strap matching the dial.

This article was first published in WatchTime.net

Images: Courtesy brands