Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2012 Preview – Bulgari Serpenti and Papillon Voyageur Watches
Italian fine jeweler and watch manufacturer, Bulgari, has prepared two very handsome models for the jubilee, the 40th Watch and Jewellery Show – Baselworld 2012: a new stunning Serpenti timepiece for women who exude style and the latest Daniel Roth Papillon Voyageur watch intended for all world travelers.
The first attractive creation that will be unveiled this march is a new Serpenti that features the case shaped like a snake’s head and the jet-black enamel coiled bracelet set with diamonds.
This year’s version of the Bulgari Serpenti is made of 18-karat pink gold. Its adorable polished case incorporates a charming bezel decorated on upper and lower sides with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds, weighting 0.6 karats. The case is protected with anti-reflective sapphire crystals which are extremely scratchproof.
Underneath the front sapphire glass, there is either black sapphire or white mother-of-pearl dial (depending on the model) encrusted with 33 diamonds set on hour-markers (weighting 0.06 karats in all).
The new Serpenti colors its scales with jet-black enamel, and then sets them with brilliant-cut diamonds. This Bulgari masterpiece unrolls its diaphanous pink gold coils twice around the wrist and deploys the total of 346 precious stones, with the weight of 3.46 karats in all. Further, its bracelet extends to form the case which becomes the snake’s head.
This marvel among women’s wristwatches is powered with Swiss made Caliber B031 quartz movement personalized for Bulgari. The total weight of diamonds is 4.12 karats.
Over the years, the Serpenti series left its mark on the world of jewelry and watches. The Serpenti bracelets combine precious metals structure with precious stones, still preserving the innate suppleness and flexibility of these pieces of jewelry.
Bulgari Papillon Voyageur – a complication from Daniel Roth
Another novelty that will be launched this March at Baselworld is a new Daniel Roth Papillon Voyageur. Bulgari’s new travel watch is an exclusive Haute Horlogerie creation with an essential instrument for globetrotters – a second time zone. The local hour appears in a large vertical window set at the 12 o’clock position and it is displayed digitally. On the other hand, the second time zone is indicated by a blued central, tear-drop-shaped openwork hand which points to a skeletonized, guilloché 24-hour disc. The local time is adjusted via the crown, whereas the 24 hour hand is set forward and backward via two push-buttons which are situated at 10 and 2 o’clock positions (the first pusher for +, and the second one for -).
The minutes are indicated by a pair of small hands with points at both ends. Each of them turns on a central axis, while also turning as a pair around a central point. It is a bit complicated to understand, but it works perfectly.
These two independent retractable lozenge-shaped hands move across two 180° segments in turn. While the first one marks off the 60 minutes in an hour, the second one counts the minutes in tens rather than in units.
As the end of the hour approaches, the hands execute some kind of a “changing of the guard” maneuver. When the hand that is currently indicating the minutes reaches the 55th minute on the display segment, the other hand makes a quarter-turn to position itself parallel with hand. The latter, as soon as the minutes start off again from zero, in turn progressively retracts to remain thus for the upcoming 55 minutes. This very complex patented mechanism is coupled with the hour disc.
All these advanced and exclusive functions are powered by the in-house made Caliber DR1307 mechanical movement with full 45 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The self-winding mechanism is built on 26 jewels and beats at the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The refined movement is treated to excellent finishing featuring meticulously hand-crafted circular graining and Côtes de Genève.
The wonderfully designed dial is presented on two levels. Its upper white-lacquered part runs along an arc stretching from the 9 o’clock position to the 3 o’clock position and highlighting the jumping hour aperture at the 12 o’clock position.
The lower part of the display has been treated with a satin-brushed black gold, which is in harmony with the elegant color contrasts typical of the Daniel Roth Collection.
Bulgari Papillon Voyageur is housed in a slightly cambered double-ellipse 18-karat pink gold case which measures 46 mm x 43 mm and it is 15.2 mm thick. The case is shielded with a sapphire crystal that is glare-proofed on both sides and provides water resistance up to 30 meters (100 feet). The watch is fitted with an alligator leather strap, terminating in a pink gold triple-blade folding clasp.
This Bulgari’s novelty will be produced in the limited quantity of only 99 pieces. The suggested retail price is $52,100, but you will have to wait until March 12 when one of the most important events in the international Haute Horlogerie industry will open its door.
