Bulgari is releasing the special limited edition watch "Bulgari Aluminium Tricolore." Proceeds from 50 numbered pieces will be donated to three Italian pediatric hospitals through a fundraising project by the Italian Air Force, and 11 pieces engraved with the Italian Air Force's aircraft ID numbers will be auctioned for charity.

The Italian Air Force and Bulgari. Known worldwide as symbols of Italian excellence, both have unveiled the limited collection "Bulgari Aluminium Tricolore" as a tribute to Italy's national colors and a symbol of unity. This is a special timepiece with profound meaning in the current emergency situation of COVID-19 infection that Italy, like countries around the world, is facing, perfectly blending professionalism and value.

Bulgari will donate the full proceeds from 50 limited edition pieces, each with a serial number, to the Italian Air Force's fundraising project "Un dono dal cielo" (A Gift from Heaven). This project was launched by the Italian Air Force to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Our Lady of Loreto as the "Patron Saint of All Aviators" (conducted from 2020 to the end of 2021). The funds raised will support three pediatric hospitals in Italy: Giannina Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome, and Santobono Pausilipon Hospital in Naples. Additionally, 1000 pieces without serial numbers have been available since December 2020.

The release of this limited collection and the charitable activities driving it come at a difficult time that has severely impacted nations worldwide. Italy was hit hard by the pandemic, but from the early stages of the crisis, Bulgari and the Italian Air Force have been supporting the country in their respective fields. Bulgari has been actively involved in the fight against COVID-19, donating hand-cleansing gel to hospitals across Italy and providing state-of-the-art microscopes to Rome's Spallanzani Hospital and Oxford University in the UK, which are conducting frontline research on the virus.

While fulfilling its primary mission of protecting national airspace, the Italian Air Force has deployed all its resources and capabilities to support the multifaceted rescue efforts during the pandemic. Crews of transport and rescue helicopters, along with specialized medical teams, worked tirelessly day and night. Initially focused on repatriating Chinese and Japanese citizens from Italy, their missions expanded to include isolating infected individuals and transferring them to suitable hospitals, as well as rapidly transporting medical personnel and equipment across the country.

The Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force, also played a significant role during the peak of the pandemic. In a flight tour titled "Abbraccio Tricolore" (Tricolore Embrace), they flew over major cities across Italy, from north to south, to show support for those fighting COVID-19. On June 2, 2020, Italy's Republic Day, the team's signature tricolor flag painted the skies over Rome, marking the culmination of the flight project. This initiative was strongly backed by Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini. Using the national colors, deeply cherished by Italians, as a symbol of spiritual support, it aimed to reawaken a sense of belonging, unity, and collective identity within society, while offering an "embrace" to the people.

Eleven of the "Bulgari Aluminium Tricolore" watches come with a certificate of authenticity and are engraved with numbers corresponding to the ID numbers of the Frecce Tricolori aircraft (Pony 0 to 10). As a symbol of the entire initiative, the Pony 0 watch was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Gaetano Farina, commander of the Frecce Tricolori, representing the entire Air Force. This Pony 0, along with Pony 1 dedicated to the chief training officer's aircraft and Pony 10 dedicated to the solo pilot, were auctioned at Christie's Italy in December to support charitable causes.

Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bulgari Group, emphasized the importance of the Frecce Tricolori's role in fostering true unity during a time when national cohesion was fundamentally tested, stating, "Bulgari has received so much from Italy. It is only natural that we give back." The commander of the Frecce Tricolori commented, "Like all other Air Force departments, the team flights, training, and performances of the Frecce Tricolori, and the tricolor they paint across the sky, are symbols of what Italians deeply love. We are delighted that our team can participate in this wonderful program, which conveys a powerful message of hope and provides tangible support, much like the various initiatives Bulgari is undertaking."

The charitable program spearheaded by the Italian Air Force for three pediatric hospital facilities aligns perfectly with the numerous social contribution projects Bulgari, the high jewelry Maison based in Rome, undertakes globally. This unprecedented and innovative collaboration will create a positive and powerful synergy, resonating deeply with the Italian people.