Bulgari

One week before the Rugby World Cup 2011 starts in New Zealand, the international rugby community will get together in France to raise funds for the NZ Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Bulgari Endurer Chronosprint All Blacks : a unique

piece for « Rugby Nations unite for Christchurch »

An exceptional auction with Bulgari and the international Rugby

community on September 2nd in Paris

"Rugby Nations Unite for Christchurch" is a charity auction run by Avenport Investment Group in conjunction with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and will take place in Paris on September 2, 2011 at the Hôtel Royal Monceau. Artcurial, the famous Parisian auction house will auction the items, all linked to rugby history and present days.

One of the stars of the auction will be the watch Bulgari Endurer Chronosprint All Blacks from the special series created in partnership with the legendary New-Zealand team. This is a unique watch engraved with reference to the date of the earthquake that happened in New-Zealand in February this year.

The partnership which unites Bulgari with the All Blacks celebrates the shared values by two Brandnames among the most prestigious in the world. It is expressed by a special edition of Haute Horlogerie creation issued in a special edition which powerfully expresses a blend of technical sophistication, style and resistance through its symbolically charged aesthetic.

The latter quarter of the 19th century witnessed the birth of two names that are now part of the global elite, each in their own field. Bulgari and the All Blacks share the same year of birth, 1884. For Bulgari, 1905 stands for the opening of the historical boutique on the Via dei Condotti in Rome, the same year the All Blacks "Originals" team competed in their tour of the Northern hemisphere that gave birth to the All Blacks legend. Above and beyond such similarities in timeline, they have chosen to team up in 2011 through an alliance cemented by their shared charisma expressed through a particularly compelling timepiece embodying a wealth of substance and epitomising endurance and elegance.

A concentrated blend of powerful design elements, the Bulgari Endurer Chronosprint All Blacks Special Edition vividly conveys the common denominators binding Bulgari and the world's most famous rugby team. This sophisticated, innovative and elegant timepiece is synonymous with cutting-edge performance. In addition to the classic hour and minute functions displayed along a slightly off-centred axis, the mechanical self-winding movement – Calibre DR1306 – also drives a specific chronograph function.

The latter serves to measure relatively long times expressed in hours and minutes by means of two hands of different lengths mounted on a single axis. They run across a double railtrack scale bearing 12-hour and 60-minute graduations. Contrary to standard chronographs, this function cannot be stopped but is simply reset by pressing the ergonomically ridged pushbutton at 7.30. This automatically brings the two hands back to zero for a new measurement that begins instantly. This sophisticated movement also powers a large date display appearing through a window at 12 o'clock.

This patented mechanism features a dedicated construction based on the off-centred hour and minute functions enabling optimal positioning of the Chronosprint function counter. Finely decorated in harmony with the noblest Swiss craftsmanship traditions – including circular-grained surfaces, Côtes de Genève motifs and engravings – this Haute Horlogerie model beats at a cadence of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and has a 45-hour power reserve.

The aesthetic of this All Blacks special edition gives pride of place to the benchmark values of the New Zealand team: the shaped case with its sturdy yet smoothly integrated lines is shaped in Staybrite® steel – a treatment that makes it extremely corrosion-proof. It also features a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) treatment ensuring absolute resistance. Its elliptical shape characteristic of the Daniel Roth Collection asserts its sporting vocation while maintaining the inherent refinement of all exclusive Haute Horlogerie creations.

Topped by a concave screw-locked bezel, the case frames a dial graced with a symbolic motif reflecting a Maori tattoo, the Koru. A symbol of life, growth, strength, peace and renaissance, it expresses the perpetual renewal of the All Blacks legend and the founding values that continue to guide the team. Maori warriors wear this decoration as an affirmation of virility, rebirth and life. The hour-markers on the shiny anthracite dial are enhanced with black Superluminova® enabling easy read-off of the information even in the dark.

The case-back of the watch dedicated to the auction is engraved - Unique piece – and refers to New Zealand earthquake, beside the original All Blacks® logo dating back to 1905 which is applied on the semi-transparent tinted sapphire crystal revealing fascinating glimpses of the movement crafted in the Bulgari Haute Horlogerie workshops in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux. The model is firmly secured to the wrist by a rubber strap with a pin buckle and steel inserts DLC-treated ensuring an excellent hold and a supple feel. This special edition is delivered in a leather presentation box shaped like a life-sized rugby ball and stamped with the All Blacks logo.

Endurer Chronosprint All Blacks / Technical characteristics

Movement

DR1306, mechanical with unidirectional automatic winding by an oscillating weight; jewels

Display

Hours & minutes; patented large window-type date display: Chronosprint hours & minute function with push-button resetting

Power reserve

45 hours

Frequency

4Hz – 28,800 vph

Case

DLC-treated (Diamond Like Carbon) steel and polished edges, 56.51 mm in diameter and 14.10 mm thick, sapphire crystal; Unique piece engraved on the screw-in back with semitransparent tinted sapphire crystal and applied All Blacks logo; ergonomically ridged PVD-treated Chronosprint push-button and crown; water-resistant to 100 metres

Dial

Engraved with a Maori motif, black Superluminova® treatment of hour-markers ensuring optimal readability

Mainplate and bridges

Circular-grained mainplate; bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève, bevelled and polished steel parts.

** Photo credits: Ping Tsai

Press Release