As if creating the world’s slimmest automatic watch, thinnest manual wound tourbillon, and the thinnest minute repeater was not enough for Bulgari, the two new everyday pieces that revitalize its classic Bulgari Bulgari collection should do the trick. The company continuously generated headlines and won acclaim for the past two years based from its magnificent watch.
The first double-logo Bulgari watch was created in 1975 by the brothers Bulgari —Nicola, Gianni and Paolo—as a gift for the company’s 100 best clients. By beginning the gifts, the company became one of the earliest brands to discover the potential of creating limited-edition pieces. The Bulgari Bulgari in 1977 was in production as a regular collection due to high demand, then four decades later, the company remained a staple.
The watch is so luxurious that it is named twice. The Bulgari Bulgari takes its name from the clearly displayed brand logo that is presented twice around the bezel. The engraving of the logo featured on the top and bottom of the bezel is a detail inspired by Roman coins within the new model. The long markers and numerals present only at 12 and 6 hardly changed since it was first launched while still incorporating the minimalist design.
The watch contains new case materials and sizes. Bulgari Bulgari is logo-free on the dial and earned its place among the horological design classics of the 1970s, featuring three new cases and a new smaller model for women. “So popular was this unconventional timepiece that by 1977, it was launched as a commercial model, its double-engraved bezel giving it its name, Bulgari Bulgari or BB,” according to WatchTime.
Although the new timepieces do not contain record-setting movements like those in the Octo Finissimo collection, the Bulgari Bulgari collection is far from lacking in innovation. The men’s model features bronze which is the first ever in the collection. The material used creates a random patina making each watch unique. The three versions consist of a bronze case, a black DLC-coated stainless-steel case, and a third case that combines black DLC with a bronze bezel.
The men’s watch also features an interchangeable strap system, which has recently gained attention among luxury watch brands this year. The men’s Bulgari Bulgari collection is currently the only model to incorporate the strap-change feature and also is delivered with a second strap. Options for the strap includes embossed rubber, alligator leather or leather. Both the watch and straps are delivered in a leather travel pouch with two strap compartments. The dials are black lacquered and contain the automatic caliber 191; also used in the Octo Solotempo and Roma collections.
The ladies’ Bulgari Bulgari is a petite timepiece that interprets another current trend in watches for women. The watch now comes in a 23 mm diameter version as well as the normal 33 mm diameter. The brand now joins other companies such as Cartier, Rolex, Hermès, Corum, and Chanel in debuting luxurious watches with widths under 25 mm.
Instead of relating to the men’s collection and offering a variety of straps, the company is focusing the women’s watch on a variety of dial options. Dial options consist of anthracite, brown, black or mother-of-pearl, with or without diamond indexes.
The price for the men’s watches are $4,000 for the black DLC, $4,500 for the black DLC and $5,600 for the all-bronze model. The women’s pieces range from $3,600 in the 23 mm steel version to $9,350 for the 33 mm two-tone gold and steel timepiece.
