pingtsai
[PuristSPro Moderator]
2063
Bulgari Dial Design: A Reflection of Depth and Consistency
Bulgari Dial Design: A Reflection of Depth and Consistency
Picture from Bulgari
The design of the dial is an integral part in creating the overall look of a watch. Over the years, Bulgari has kept it pretty simple when it comes to their dial designs. Adhering to conventionalism has served them well in gaining mass market appeal for many of their signature styles such as the BVLGARI BVLGARI, Diagono and minimal B-Zero. Only with the recent integration of Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta have they ventured into riskier territory with the looks of their watch faces. One can even say that they’ve landed themselves on new ground and are attempting to acclimate by bringing along familiar elements so as to minimize the shock to their usual clientele and still remain connected to their DNA.
Formula for Success
Doing this well and successfully has got to be one of the greatest challenges in modern-era watchmaking and design. To remain on the forefront of any industry one must be in a constant state of evolution. With that in mind, how does one inflict change yet at the same time retain an element of familiarity and consistency? There is little doubt that Bulgari somehow has discovered a way and happened upon a formula that works. Perhaps it derives from such a close connection and utterly undeniable pride in their historical past. And thus it is a practice that they have always engaged in and has now mastered; knowing how to incorporate different elements into the design of a watch and making it look good.
BVLGARI BVLGARI’s Classic Dial
Some of their historical dial designs have remained constant. It isn’t easy to create a look that outlasts decades but they’ve managed to do just that with the classic face of the BVLGARI BVLGARI watch. The signature dial is one of the most versatile elements in the company’s portfolio of luxury products aside from the actual double engraved logo. The minimalist dial consists of distinctively modern Arabic numbers at “12” and “6” hour positions, baton hour markers for the rest and a small date window. It was first introduced to the world more than 35 years ago and has experienced little change since then, making its way from one case to the next constantly exhibiting re-expression.
Not only has the BVLGARI BVLGARI dial stood the test of time, it has integrated itself into a number of different watch personas, constantly evolving and diversifying itself. It has the ability to take on a classic appeal with its signature flat-edged bezel case or a sporty look in the Diagono models and an alternative one with the Octo.
“Pro” Dial Design
Bulgari’s Diagono X-Pro models stand out for their dials as well which can easily take hold of a watch-lover’s admiration and be the sole reason for acquiring this unique piece. With its sapphire glass sandwich dial construction, the numbers appear to float above the surface of the dial, giving the entire face a three-dimensional quality.
Masterpiece Dials
Where Bulgari really shines in terms of dial design is with their masterpiece collection watches - the watches with higher complications like the Daniel Roth Grande Sonnerie Quantieme Perpetual and the Daniel Roth Tourbillon Carillon watches. The distinctive shape of the Daniel Roth case, a superb acquisition by Bulgari, frames the carefully laid out and thoughtful designs of these dials. They are incredibly well-balanced, timeless in look, dynamic and commanding. The harmony that is created from perfect placement, sizing and color of individual elements can be found pleasing to the eye for almost anyone.
I only wish that some of the other Bulgari Daniel Roth watches achieved similar balance and harmony in their dial designs. The models that consist of sectioned white areas like the Tourbillon Chrono, Petite Seconde and Papillon Voyageur display a bit too much contrast between large portions of the face, visually cutting them in half and lacking a design element that ties everything together. In some of the older Daniel Roth models, light areas on the face were used throughout the dial, not only in a single concentrated area and thus a greater sense of balance and symmetry was apparent.
Craftsmanship in Dial Design
A few of the new watch additions introduced this year at Baselworld displayed some of Bulgari’s finest dial work to date with intricate miniature painting and metalwork. Il Giardino Tropicale and Commedia dell’Arte both showcase the exquisite craftsmanship in painting and carving that Bulgari has chosen to represent the faces of these watches. These pieces have definitely contributed to the depth of Bulgari’s collection by adding something that we do not see a lot of in Bulgari watches and that is color.
Dials can be equally if not more important than movements and comfort when choosing watches for purchase. For many people, it is the single determining factor when buying a new watch. How important is the look of the dial to you when you are considering all factors that make up the identity of a watch like price and value, comfort and fit, movement, finishing, brand etc.?
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To leave comments, please go to Ping's original post in Bulgari forum, bulgari.watchprosite.com
