Ah, mes amis, gather ’round the horological campfire, for I have a tale that will set your watch-loving hearts ablaze. It concerns a serpent, a magnificent collision of Italian sprezzatura and Swiss mad-scientist ingenuity, and a collaboration that redefines the very essence of haute horlogerie. I am talking about the new Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti.
A Roman Jewel’s Legacy
To truly appreciate this creation, we must first delve into the annals of Bvlgari. Born in the Eternal City of Rome in 1884, Bvlgari has risen like a phoenix to become the very apotheosis of Italian artistry, known for groundbreaking designs. Iconic collections like Serpenti and Octo Finissimo stand as testaments to their fearless creativity. Each creation whispers tales of Italian elegance intertwined with Swiss precision.
MB&F: Where Horology Defies Gravity
Then there’s MB&F, Maximilian Büsser’s playground of horological rebellion. Since 2005, they’ve been shattering conventions, crafting three-dimensional kinetic sculptures that tell the time… but oh, so much more. Inspired by everything from science fiction dreams to the raw power of supercars, their Horological Machines are a symphony of gears, springs, and audacious imagination.
When Titans Meet: A Collaborative Genesis
The spark for this particular fusion ignited a few years ago, during a serendipitous meeting between Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bvlgari‘s director of watchmaking design, and Maximilian Büsser. The result of that encounter was the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra, a piece that injected Bvlgari’s vibrant, jewelled aesthetic into MB&F‘s Legacy Machine DNA. And now, they return with something even more ambitious.
Serpenti Reimagined: A Dial That Charms
For their second act, Fabrizio and Max have dared to reimagine Serpenti, Bvlgari’s serpentine emblem of rebirth and transformation, which first slithered into the maison’s designs in 1948. But this isn’t mere aesthetic appropriation; it’s a full-blown metamorphosis into a Horological Machine. The dial is where the serpent’s gaze truly captivates. Revolving aluminium domes, painstakingly machined to gossamer thinness, indicate the hours and minutes. Bathed in Super-LumiNova, the snake’s eyes glow with a hypnotic allure.
The Mechanical Heart: A Movement That Breaks the Mold
Beneath the surface shimmers a movement conceived and developed entirely in-house by MB&F. A defiant departure from watchmaking norms, this intricate mechanism brings Serpenti to life through the animated eyes. The oversized 14mm flying balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws, beating at 2.5Hz, serves as the reptile’s mechanical “brain,” proudly displayed beneath a three-dimensional bridge bearing the names of both houses. Flipping the watch over reveals a power reserve indicator and the exquisite hand-finishing lavished upon its 310 components.
The Case: A Sculptural Masterpiece
The case of the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti is not just a container; it’s an integral part of the design. The complex curves recall the sleek bodywork of a high-performance automobile, further enhanced by sapphire crystals shaped like the flaps on the rear window of a sports car. This intricate form presented untold challenges in manufacturing and water resistance, demanding countless iterations and a dedication to perfection.
A Collaboration That Soars
The Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti isn’t merely a watch; it’s a testament to the power of collaborative vision. It’s a reminder that when seemingly disparate worlds collide, the results can be truly extraordinary. This serpent is more than just a timepiece; it’s a horological objet d’art that will undoubtedly captivate collectors for generations to come. It is a testament to the fabulous collaboration between those two great brands.
Bvlgari X MB&F Serpenti Technical Specifications
Three Limited Editions of 33 pieces each: in 18K rose rold with green hour and minute domes, grade 5 titanium with blue domes, or black PVD-coated stainless steel with red domes.
Bvlgari X MB&F Serpenti Titanium
Movement
- Manual-winding MB&F in-house movement.
- Bespoke flying 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the domed dials.
- Functions: hours, minutes, power reserve (45 hours).
- Hours on left dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours).
- Minutes on right dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes).
- Power reserve indicator at the back of the movement thanks to dedicated hand and a metallization on the case back sapphire crystal.
Case, Dial and Bracelet
- A 39mm grade 5 titanium case with blue domes. Dimensions: 53 x 39 x 18 mm.
- Open-case design reveals the intricate workings of the movement with the case-back featuring a power-reserve indicator.
- 5 sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
- Left crown at 11 o’clock for winding: right crown at 1 o’clock for setting the time.
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM / 30m / 90ft.
- Indexes and markers coated with Super-LumiNova.
- Hand-stitched blue rubber strap with velcro system.
- Ardillon buckle in grade 5 titanium.
Bvlgari X MB&F Serpenti Stainless Steel / Black PVD
Movement
- Manual-winding MB&F in-house movement.
- Bespoke flying 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the domed dials.
- Functions: hours, minutes, power reserve (45 hours).
- Hours on left dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours).
- Minutes on right dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes).
- Power reserve indicator at the back of the movement thanks to dedicated hand and a metallization on the case back sapphire crystal.
Case, Dial and Bracelet
- A 39mm black PVD-coated stainless steel case with red domes.
- Dimensions: 53 x 39 x 18 mm.
- Open-case design reveals the intricate workings of the movement with the case-back featuring a power-reserve indicator.
- 5 sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
- Left crown at 11 o’clock for winding: right crown at 1 o’clock for setting the time.
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM / 30m / 90ft.
- Indexes and markers coated with Super-LumiNova.
- Hand-stitched black rubber strap with velcro system.
- Ardillon buckle in grade 5 titanium.
Bvlgari X MB&F Serpenti Rose Gold
Movement
- Manual-winding MB&F in-house movement.
- Bespoke flying 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the domed dials.
- Functions: hours, minutes, power reserve (45 hours).
- Hours on left dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours).
- Minutes on right dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes).
- Power reserve indicator at the back of the movement thanks to dedicated hand and a metallization on the case back sapphire crystal.
Case, Dial and Bracelet
- A 39mm 18K rose gold case with green hour and minute domes. Dimensions: 53 x 39 x 18 mm.
- Open-case design reveals the intricate workings of the movement with the case-back featuring a power-reserve indicator.
- 5 sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Left crown at 11 o’clock for winding: right crown at 1 o’clock for setting the time.
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM / 30m / 90ft.
- Indexes and markers coated with Super-LumiNova.
- Hand-stitched green rubber strap with velcro system.
- Ardillon buckle in 18K rose gold.
