Bvlgari Solotempo Watches

Bulgari recently introduced a new collection of timepieces, named after their founder, Sotirio Bvlgari. The new collection comes in three versions; an annual calendar, perpetual calendar and tourbillon. Traditional and modern design elements blend together for a very classy look. A good match for an Italian suit or a nice dress shirt. Company BackgroundIn the mid-19th century, a timeless elegance was born with Sotirio Bulgari. He sensed the new spirit of his time and, assembling his formidable arsenal of artistic and artisanal skills, left Greece for Corfu and then went on to the recently unified Italy, land of the Grand Tour. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he was capable of overcoming challenges and conventions, continuously redefining the concepts of "avant-garde" and "luxury." On the 125th anniversary of its foundation, Bulgari dedicates a watch to this multicultural trailblazer, businessman and aesthete: a watch as extraordinary as him. The new Sotirio Bulgari features a classic style reinterpreted in a contemporary way. A perfect synthesis of innovative design and manufacturing "savoir-faire"; it is distinguished by its sophisticated workmanship and great attention to every detail. The new collection dedicated to this man is Bulgari's new version of a formal watch, featuring manufacture movements, dials finished with exclusive treatments and a unique design for the case, whose bezel is distinguished by the absence of the Bulgari logo. The Sotirio Bulgari Tourbillon Quanti��me Perp��tuel features a BVL 465 Caliber movement. It represents a unique fusion of functions: an automatic see through tourbillon and perpetual calendar with an innovative display that features double coaxial retrograde hands, offered in a limited edition of 30 pieces. The Sotirio Bulgari Quanti��me Annuel model, equipped with the BVL 360 Caliber movement enriched by an annual calendar function with 225�� retrograde date, available in a limited edition of 250 pieces with an 18 cts pink gold case or in 125 pieces for the version in white gold. Another milestone is settled by the Sotirio Bulgari Date R��trograde whose 150�� retrograde module has been developed and produced by Bulgari. The assortment is further enriched by a special timepiece developed to commemorate the 125th Anniversary: a tribute to the founder that carries his signature on its flip-over back case studied to reveal the movement. This model is offered in three limited editions of 125 pieces each one, realised in pink gold, yellow gold and white gold and equipped with the BVL 250 Caliber with a movement personalised for Bulgari. (Crown detailed view) (Exploded case view) (Movement view) (Exploded dial view)

(Click image for gallery - 4 photos)I have never seen anyone wearing a Bvlgari wristwatch (other than maybe Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man). Bvlgari has a large multi-level boutique in Manhattan (Bvlgari also sell is jewelry), and many other throughout the world, just like Audemars Piguet or Omega, for example. Yet I have seen many people wearing Omega and Audemars Piguet timepieces, never a Bvlgari though. I'm not sure how much traction the brand has in the highly competitive luxury watch market, but based on what I've heard, and Bvlgari's January 2010 announcement to combined their two haute horology brands, Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta under the Bvlgari name, there is clearly some turmoil within their watch division.That said, this new sports watch is the best watch I have seen from Bvlgari to date. It is not powered by their new in-house movement (which they finally brought to market this year, after 10 years of development). Instead, the new Diagono Professional Chronograph GMT X-Pro is powered by a less exclusive, but reliable Valjoux 7750 automatic mechanical chronograph movement, with an add-on GMT module. So, the watch looks good, somewhat like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas even, but in order to sell it they will need more than just looks and the Bvlgari name. If they price it correctly, then it might takeoff, but if they price it anything above $7,000, then it will just be another overpriced Valjoux 7750 timepiece. It should be available in stores soon.