Bulgari 303, something this good deserves the closest look!....CanonMPE65 (part2of2)

Jul 15, 2008,08:09 AM
 

First, a natural look at the 303 after 5 days on my wrist, including the times I played the MDT with pals!

Now, the Morrison Digital Trumpet is one awesome machine. But look at the 303!!! In natural light, the Bulgari words appear as a design, the change of font alone was enough..but what the heck..

If you don't have hIGH speed load up, this is one post worth the wait for the pics below!

There are very few dials abd work that is THIS good...at any price.

Have a look!

 










Note that the reflective high polish of the bezel of pure white gold gives the ring any color, according to what it reflects.

Hence, the watch adopts a "non color" that allows it to merge and match any clothing, skin tone and background very well indeed.

Now for the SUPER close ups to demonstrate what I found in the watch..remember..I am an IWC, Vianney, Urwerk, MBF and of course gerald Genta type of collector, who begand with Patek, Journe and Lange..in fact, I have much more of the last three than any other brands.

So Bulgari for me is a discovery.

There are 30 pics here..in close up done with no touch ups.

The watch is INCREDIBLY clean and well finished. A Rolex level of finesse. The watch is also incredibly solid and heavy, the type of feel you get from a solid gold Rolex.

As you are waiting for the down load...reflect on the fact that Bulgari has had a challenging time to fight its way back into high horology. It could have gone the Cartier way, or the LV way. It could have chosen the LUC chopard way, or HWRT's Opus way. The company is wealthy.

It has chosen the Rolex path, a direct no high flying products way. Direct assault with super high quality on a simple watch.

Instead of Daytona's use of the Zenith in the first days of Rolex Daytonas, Bulgari has used the FP base with an in house vertical clutch and an OH SO SMOOTH activator!

It has chosen to do the Rolex way of making the ultimate perfect no flaws dial...but with a super complex multi layer.

It has used the Rolex way of using precious metal on the bezel..discreet, but with a touch of gloss where it matters to the owner's eye.

 

 

 This is one of the watches of 2008. It is easier to make a $1,000,000 USD super watch, than to make one of these at $12,000 USD

I am speechless.

 







Solid rose gold counters and solid rose gold hands
Solid rose gold counters and solid rose gold hands


Solid RG counter has ultra fine ribs, can't be seen with a loupe at times!
Solid RG counter has ultra fine ribs, can't be seen with a loupe at times!


All indexes are hand placed, no tweeser marks
All indexes are hand placed, no tweeser marks


Look at Lange Dato markers, I have one..and the finish of the 303 is of the same or better
Look at Lange Dato markers, I have one..and the finish of the 303 is of the same or better


Note the finish of the grey top layer of the dial..Patek level cut and cleaner, no fibers or dust
Note the finish of the grey top layer of the dial..Patek level cut and cleaner, no fibers or dust


Note how fine the layer of paint is. No pocks, no uneven parts
Note how fine the layer of paint is. No pocks, no uneven parts


The hand is 100% flat and fully polished and 100% even, no curves!!
The hand is 100% flat and fully polished and 100% even, no curves!!


Note that grey paint is so fine, no pocks, no uneveness at full magnification
Note that grey paint is so fine, no pocks, no uneveness at full magnification


The seconds painted on are 100% flawless...beyond many top 3 brands.
The seconds painted on are 100% flawless...beyond many top 3 brands.


Bezel has hand ground letters flawless...like the Bulgari jewelry
Bezel has hand ground letters flawless...like the Bulgari jewelry, I chose the letter G to show you the cut!!! How fine it is!!!
 
 
 
 


Look at the precision of the index alignment!!
Look at the precision of the index alignment!!



The luminous material is Rolex style..precise and deep and generous..not like a splosh of paint as in others. Completely flat and precise.

 

 

Examine the paint work and the luminous material..the quality!!!
Examine the paint work and the luminous material..the quality!!!



Note the solid gold index is multi faceted!!!

 

Look at the large seconds hand
Look at the large seconds hand


The 12 is 100% flawless under high magnification...usually impossible
The 12 is 100% flawless under high magnification...usually impossible


The deep Geneva stripes on the dial!!
The deep Geneva stripes on the dial!!


Lush and deep Geneva stripes..full of 3D colors
Lush and deep Geneva stripes..full of 3D colors


100% flawless
100% flawless


date has an iNDIVIDUAL solid gold frame
date has an iNDIVIDUAL solid gold frame


Look how deep the dial is cut and striped!
Look how deep the dial is cut and striped!


See details!!
See details!!


Multi layered at the extreme best!!!
Multi layered at the extreme best!!!

 

Super sharp hand details.

 



 







Bracelet is 100% flawless like a Rolex!!!
Bracelet is 100% flawless like a Rolex!!!


Deep carvings
Deep precise carvings, beyond even Rolex and Patek cases.
 
 
 
 





The anglage of movement is not mirror polished like Dufour or Patek..much closer to Journe, and I would say cleaner than Journe.

 I don't judge a watch by the brand...and I would be blown away by an Oris if it was this well made.

 







Look at the cut of the pusher extermally, and the cut of the column wheel.



A super watch for the collector who appreciates the absolute ultimate best, but not at 6 figure price tags.

It is ironic that it takes Bulgari, a group known for the MOST EXPENSIVE things, to make the watch world sit up and look at the price of the watches today. This watch is that good..at an affordable real world luxury price.

This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2008-07-22 21:24:51


More posts: DufourUrwerk

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Thanks for those high magnification shots...lots of effort...

 
 By: Kong : July 15th, 2008-14:03
The 3-level dial (a decorated grayish metal base, gold subdials & indices sitting on top of the anthracite vertically decorated stripes plate) is well executed, sharp definition and no burrs. The Superluminova on the indices are pretty thick! I believe th...  

Thanks Kong for those pics!!!

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 15th, 2008-16:49

KONG

 
 By: Mostel : July 15th, 2008-19:29
your pictures and insights enlarge further add to this watch' (instant) legendary status. Really great pics!! Thank you. It is quite well done.

Thanks Mostel.

 
 By: Kong : July 15th, 2008-22:31

I wonder how many of these will sell solely based on your endorsement Bernard.

 
 By: Mostel : July 15th, 2008-15:33
Because I'm damn curious about this watch now. (but I have to admit I still don't agree with that bezel!)

Ditto [NT] [nt]

 
 By: JDowning : July 15th, 2008-19:29

Bulgari 303

 
 By: VPREGULATOR : July 15th, 2008-20:25
True to being a fashion label, the company takes every opportunity to advertise its name on the dial as well as the bezel. Perhaps they can tone down their enthusiasm and concentrate on making the watch less ostentatious. Rolex's reputation wasn't built u... 

Bulgari's reputation is far away from watches at this point in time.

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 15th, 2008-22:07
That is why I find them fascinating. The brand itself is a culture isolated from watch making. It is steeped in the culture of luxury goods and quality. Look at their attention to details in their products. They are run like a military organisation..and t... 

Bulgari 303 far from being a watch maker

 
 By: VPREGULATOR : July 15th, 2008-23:23
Agree with you that Bulgari is a top fashion label. I still prefer their range of perfumes which is unsurpassed. As for watches - I would think they just rank alongside Gucci and Montblanc New kids on the block trying to tap into the lucrative timepiece m... 

Very well said

 
 By: Geo : July 15th, 2008-23:21

Awesome shots!

 
 By: Peter  : July 15th, 2008-16:25
Thks for sharing

Great photography and a clear expression of joy of ownership...

 
 By: nycWIS : July 15th, 2008-16:52
....from a highly-regarded Purist. However, to be honest, while the Bulgari is certainly a nice watch at a decent price point, I don't really find the workmanship noticeably better than other watches in a similar (or lower) price range. The dial workmansh... 

You are 100% correct on that

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 15th, 2008-22:27
Those are superlative examples too. ut of late, also very expensive for the new comers who don't know about watches. They feel as if in unknown territory with those very specialised brands..except IWC. But at Bulgari, the brand is itself iconic. Thankfull... 

Patek tie " freebies" are made by Zegna,

 
 By: dreamer : August 6th, 2008-18:09
You are 100 % right with your comment about getting things endorsed or given away by an exclusive brand to be top notch in keeping with the exclusive brands ' values. I appreciate how 7 fold silk ties give the perfect knot. I have all my Patek tie freebie... 

Alignment?

 
 By: AFSG : July 15th, 2008-22:07
Is it an optical effect or is the luminova index at 5 not properly aligned, as per pictures #13 and 14? That aside the bezel is really off-putting... I can't understand why they're not trying to move away from the gaudy image of years past... Anyway, as u... 

Thanks Bernard fpr photos and your opinion

 
 By: dreamer : July 15th, 2008-22:17
Your enthusiam for this watch is very obvious and your deatiled photos are excellent.Suffice to say,I 'll take a closer look at one.Cheers.

Impressive, Bernard...Very impressive, indeed!

 
 By: amanico : July 15th, 2008-22:39
I have to admit that I totally under rate Bulgari in its work for watches... I'm not a big fan of the complex design of this brand, but hey, your post is awesome, and even some details are appealing to me! Like the mix of the colors, and of the levels of ... 

This watch can help the whole watch industry ..win/win

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 15th, 2008-22:45
I always have TONS of emails from folks who meet me outside of these forums. They are normal guys and gals who just want a watch..and not our kind as in AHCI or even a Hublot is too "high" or unknown for them. But a Bulgari, Rolex, Omega...these they can ... 

end buyer or industry?

 
 By: AFSG : July 15th, 2008-22:52
Interesting point of view ā€“ Iā€™m not sure a Bulgari is the piece to achieve this actually ā€“ far too branded in my opinion. If anything, this is typically the kind of watch that has a greater effect on the industry than on the buyers ā€“ raises the game for e... 

Haha..man that is a good one!!

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 15th, 2008-23:47
You know, this index alignment issue was a hot topic during the birth of Lange and Sohne's Langematic before 1999..the construct process entailed the issue of placing the index into the slot on the dial by hand, and the index was designed long and thin wi... 

Bulgari Aria GMT

 
 By: nickybkk : September 24th, 2008-04:15