Bulgari's Pre-Basel New Releases Arrive in Japan! | BVLGARI

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New Pre-Basel Releases Arrive in Japan!

The Luxury of Viewing a Tourbillon from Every Angle

Bulgari has long established its unshakeable status not only as a world-renowned high jeweler from Rome, but also as a watchmaker. We spoke with Pascal Brandt, head of Bulgari's watch division, who made a special trip to Japan, about the new releases. The fusion of astonishing case design and complications, along with artistic dial colors, revealed the brand's honed technical prowess as a watchmaker.

Photographs by JAMANDFIXText by KAWADA Akinori

Technological Advancements That Command Admiration

In January 2015, Bulgari unveiled its pre-Basel novelties in Geneva. These new creations have now made their debut in Japan. The "Sapphire Ultranero Tourbillon," which garnered particular attention in Geneva, makes a powerful impact. While the meticulously etched tourbillon movement is of the highest caliber, this watch offers so much more.

"The most distinctive feature of this tourbillon is that it is an almost completely skeletonized model. Not only the dial and case back, but this time, we have also used sapphire crystal on the case sides, making them see-through."

So explained Pascal Brandt, Bulgari's Senior Manager of Watch Division Communications, who visited Japan with the new releases. Shaping highly durable sapphire crystal into a cylindrical form is exceptionally difficult, hinting at the advanced level of case technology employed.

The dot markers on the outer ring of the dial are connected by shaft-like micro-tubes of the same color, filled with luminescent material, which pass through to the case back. In darkness, the Super-LumiNova on these micro-tubes emits light, making not only the dots on the dial but also the case sides appear to glow. The titanium case is treated with a black DLC coating, creating an extremely strong contrast with this luminescence, lending the complication model an even more unique character.

Furthermore, the "Octo" model with a blue dial, powered by the in-house Solo Tempo movement and released in February, is also particularly striking.

"With this 'Octo,' we have succeeded in achieving a unique, highly glossy blue. The sapphire blue pigment is applied, polished, applied, and polished repeatedly, a process that requires immense effort," (Brandt, as cited above).

The dial color, inspired by the sapphire blue of jewelry, adds a profound depth to the "Octo," which already possesses a unique elegance thanks to its 110-facet case. This also expands the range of choices available.

Both models represent a fusion of high-level mechanisms with superior case design and manufacturing technology, showcasing Bulgari's advancements in watchmaking as Baselworld approaches.

Sapphire Ultranero Tourbillon
Case: Black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treated titanium & sapphire crystal
Diameter: 53mm
Thickness: 14.89mm
Movement: Manual winding (GG8000)
Functions: Tourbillon
Strap: Alligator
Water Resistance: 3 bar
Limited Edition: 30 pieces (made to order)
Estimated Price: ¥24,200,000 (excluding tax)

Octo
Case: Stainless steel
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 10.35mm
Movement: Automatic (Solo Tempo)
Functions: Date display
Strap: Alligator
Water Resistance: 10 bar
Price: ¥720,000 (excluding tax)

PASCAL BRANDT
Senior Manager of Bulgari's Watch Division Communications. Until 2001, he worked as a watch journalist primarily in Europe, but a turning point came that year. In 2001, he was appointed Communications Manager for a prominent watch brand. Since then, after working with several renowned watch brands, he joined Bulgari in 2009. He is known for his profound knowledge of watches.

Bulgari Japan
Tel. 03-6362-0100

http://www.bulgari.com/ja-jp