Report of my new visit at the Bulgari Boutique Via dei Condotti

Aug 17, 2014,04:50 AM
 

Do you remember?

Last year, I visited the Bulgari Boutique located 10 Via dei Condotti in Rome:
bulgari.watchprosite.com

This boutique is very famous since the history of the brand started inside. And last year I told you that large  works would be done after the Summer to renovate it. So I couldn't miss the opportunity to be back to  Rome to visit it again and to discover the changes. Actually, and it was a key objective, all the lay-out, the spirit and the atmosphere of the boutique were preserved. The main changes can be found in the last room located on the right side of the corridor which is now fully dedicated to men's watches.

I propose you to accompany me during the visit and to do a focus on the pieces I shot.

I start with some pictures of the boutique. I suggest you to compare with the ones in the previous report. You will see that the changes are subtle.

The main entrance with the crowns and stars:






The impressive clock of the first room on the right:





The main room which was previously dedicated to silverware:









The central corridor:








The room dedicated to the more affordable Ladies' jewels:




And here we are... the superb room dedicated to men's watches:




I love the design of this room and its colours. Actually, the architect and the workers did a great job. There is a sort of quiet and luxurious context inside. Every detail is very refined like the shop windows, the displays or the tables. Nothing ostentatious, just the feeling to be in the core of a high-end brand.








As you can imagine it, I was very curious to discover some of the 2014 novelties because I didn't visit the Bulgari booth when I was at Basel. Fortunately, some of these novelties were already at the Boutique even if they represented a small share of the new collection. And, how lucky I was, the watch I wished to see in priority was already here!

I'm talking obviously about the Bulgari Roma LE to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the brand. The WG version and its blue dial is gorgeous.




I can't explain why I love this watch. It is pure passion. Maybe because it is Rome. Maybe because this version  comes with a handwind movement. Maybe it is due to the case shape inspired by the Colosseum. Anyway, at the end, its perfect size for an elegant watch (39mm) combined with the absence of date window (thanks God!) make it very appealing.





The watch is powered by the handwind in-house movement BVL131M which has a 4hz frequency and a power reserve of 72 hours. I would have preferred a solid caseback to celebrate the anniversary but the architecture of the movement is fine even if it is a bit too cold for my taste.




Believe me, it was very difficult for me to give it back! My dream would be to take pictures of this watch in the streets of Rome, in front of the main monuments... maybe one day I will be able to do it!




With some italian colours:




This is the Diagono Chronograph with a black ceramic bezel:




This watch features nice dial and case finishings:








The shape of the pushers was designed to improve their efficiency:




The 42mm case diameter is fine for my wrist and the black colour makes the watch a bit smaller than it is. The way the strap is linked to the case enhances the comfort on the wrist.








I didn't forget that I was Gerald Genta moderator during several years. So it was a bit moving for me to put on the wrist an Octo Bi-Retro watch even if this kind of material was not available when released by the Gerald Genta brand.

The ceramic bezel works fine in this context but I'm not a great fan of the colour used for the dial. The legibility is not the main asset of the watch because I find it difficult to read the exact minute.

The black rubber strap is impressive and efficiently puts the watch on the wrist. The case diameter is 43mm.




The Octo Bi-Retro has a quite sportive look with this outfit and the watch finds a new dimension. But I'm not sure that this type of time display (retrograde hands & jumping hours) is the best companion for this style. On the other hand, the watch becomes more affordable than it was previously.




I much prefer the Octo Automatic and its slender 41mm case:




I also prefer the version with the black dial, I was never convinced by the white dial for this watch:




The Octo Automatic takes advantage of the BVL191 movement and its power reserve of 50 hours.



The watch has a strong presence on the wrist. It is not due to its size but more to the case shape.

I consider it as an excellent entry-level watch and a good way to enter Bulgari world:




Let's come back to the Octo Bi-retro with this Special Edition Maserati.




This large (45mm) watch features an impressive blue lacquered dial. Actually, there is no lukewarm position with this watch: you LOVE it or you HATE it. It is the reason why I found it interesting even if it is absolutely not my cup of tea. I found it too excessive, too bulky and too confusing.

But if you manage to catch its charm and if you appreciate its style, it is definitively a very appealing watch:




Actually, the movement is partially visible through the tinted see-through case-back:




The watch on the wrist. If you like sober watches, forget it!





We enter a new dimension with this impressive Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rattrapante.




The watch manages to combine the complications because each part of the dial is dedicated to one of them. So I could appreciate the dial lay-out and the overall legibility. The Tourbillon location makes it very original and the size of the crown and of the pushers creates a feeling of power.  The time display subdial is located on the left which is a small issue for people who wear the watches on their left wrist but the way the data are spread on the dial is fine for me.




The watch is powered by a handwind movement with a power reserve of 48 hours: the DR8300. Maybe its base comes from Renaud&Papi, I will check.




The watch has a large 46mm diameter so it embodies a design with character! A superlative watch!




I would like to finish the report with this charming Bulgari Bulgari Tourbillon.




This lovely watch takes advantage of the purety of its dial to locate a Tourbillon without spoiling (at least in my point of view) its global harmony:




The surprise comes from the movement BVL 293 and its peripheral winding mass. When the inner ring moves, thanks to its shape, even when it overlaps it, the Tourbillon remains visible. Well done!




The watch has a 41,5mm diameter so it is bit larger than the usual 39mm case but that's logical. Despite its size increase, the Bulgari Bulgari Tourbillon keeps its elegance on the wrist and I could enjoy the Tourbillon without the presence of a disturbing bridge in front of it. A very refined watch.



The report is now over. I hope you enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed my visit at the Boutique. I would like to thank a lot the staff for the warm welcome. And if I come back to Rome next year (I don't see why I will not organize my yearly stay in my fav city...), I will obviously pay a new visit to the Bulgari Boutique!

Fr.Xavier


This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-08-17 04:51:05


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I like the new showroom...

 
 By: jporos : August 17th, 2014-18:52
reminds me a great deal of the work of the early 20th century architect Josef Hoffmann. Really like the Bulgari Roma. Just changing the BulgariBulgari to Bulgari Roma gives the bezel some needed breathing room. Thanks Foversta!

Fantastic report Fx! I love the LE Bulgari Roma too

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : August 18th, 2014-07:48
39mm, white gold, no date, instant classic looks from Bulgari. If I want a Bulgari watch some day, it will be this or the Black dial octo! Cheers Robin

Thanks Robin...

 
 By: foversta : August 18th, 2014-11:31
And yes, this Octo Automatic is a very well made watch... I would have been happy to see in the Genta context before. Fx