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Review-Bulgari: Bulgari Diagono Professional Scuba Chronograph: An "On-the-Wrist" Review

May 06, 2010,18:38 PM
 

I have always had a soft spot for the Bulgari Scuba.  The original was a distinctive and modern looking watch which first caught my eye in the nineties when it was quite a hit.  However by today's popular size standards for watches and sports watches in particular, the original is considered small at a case width of 38 mm.

Bulgari Diagono Professional Scuba Chrono Watch:  An On-the-Wrist Review

By Su JiaXian and Ping Tsai

© May 2010

Note : This watch belongs to Dr. Bernard Cheong, who needs no introduction. It was loaned to me for several weeks.  The watch is about three years old.

 

A few years ago Bulgari enlarged the Scuba, making it wider and thicker.  In many ways it's an improved watch especially with the addition of a flyback chronograph.  The watch also retains the classic Bulgari design elements, primarily the bezel, case and articulated rubber strap.  Like its predecessor, it is available in steel or gold as well as steel with a gold bezel.  



 
 The Bulgari Scuba I reviewed is the 18k yellow gold version.  After spending some time with the watch, I ended up liking it tremendously despite its imperfections.

 

First let's explore its shortcomings.  I wasn't particularly fond of the phrase "PROFESSIONAL DIVING" engraved on the side of the case.  In my opinion, it is unnecessary excess wording.  The watch is a diving sports watch and the design and functionality will give it its identity.  The labeling is needless and kitschy and detracts from the simple clean design of the case.



The crown is on the small side in terms of both aesthetics and practicality.  A larger crown would have been more convenient to grip and also more attractive.  The designers were probably constrained by the position of the pushers, crown guard and case size when they considered the sizing for the crown.  



Another element of the watch that I questioned is the central chronograph minute hand.  Since it is yellow and similar in shape to the yellow gold minute hand, it can lead to confusion when telling the time.   Perhaps another color such as white would have been a better choice to visibly differentiate between the two hands.   This will not be a problem in the steel version which has white metal hands.

 

Oddly enough the converse isn't true though – the chronograph hand is obvious and not easily confused for any of the other hands.  When you start the chronograph, the elapsed minutes hand in the centre is evident and easy to read at a glance.  The wearer is aware that it is running and therefore knows where to look.



 

The articulated rubber strap is of high quality and a trademark Bulgari look.  The brand's sports watches have been delivered on similar rubber straps since time immemorial.   However in my opinion, it doesn't provide the best fit since the links of the strap don't allow it to hug the wrist as snugly as a soft rubber strap would.

 

The connecting links of the strap are solid gold, which albeit add value to the watch, would also make them extremely expensive to replace.  The folding clasp that accompanies the strap, while well made, could be wider to complement the watch better (I think it's 16 mm).

 

The above mentioned points of criticism are fairly minor and did little to detract from the positive sentiments I have towards the watch as a whole.  There may be a few small reasons to dislike the watch but there are much bigger reasons to like it.

 

 

Case

 

At 40 mm wide and standing 16.5 mm thick, the case is quite compact but has a reassuring feeling of concentrated heft.  40 mm is not diminutive but this watch wears and looks smaller than it is because of the wide bezel and dark dial.  It could do well with being a tad larger, perhaps 1-2 mm wider.

 

The Scuba looks modern and distinctively Bulgari, primarily thanks to its case and bezel.  The case, undoubtedly the highlight of the watch, possesses a superb sculptural quality.  The semi-circle cutouts on the bezel give the watch a unique look and feel.  That is not unexpected since it comes from a jeweler who also owns case making facilities.  (At the end of 2007, Bulgari acquired Finger, a Swiss company specialized in the creation and production of sophisticated cases for complicated and high-end watches of the most prestigious international watchmaking brands.)  The competence of the metal work is tremendous, with excellent details and finishing.  Take for instance the large gold screws that secure the rubber bracelet to the case or the beveled edges in the bezel.  



 



 



In my opinion, the greatest strength of this watch is its case, and specifically, the case finish.  The folks in Rome decided to give the case an entirely matte brushed finish – from front to back and top to bottom.  This softens the brazenness of the large amount of gold.


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For the rest of the review in Bulgari forum, please CLICK HERE


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