pingtsai
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New Pictures of Bulgari's Calibre 168
CALIBRE 168
New pictures of Bulgari's first in-house movement, CALIBRE 168, a mechanical self-winding base movement entirely designed, developed and produced in-house. It was launched at Baselworld 2010 and now powers watches in the Sotirio Bulgari Collection.
Calibre 168 has represented the culmination of a lengthy verticalization process that has led the brand throughout the past decade to progressively establish and build an integrated manufacturing division. In these new pictures, we can get a better view of the sophisticated finishing that includes Côtes de Genève motif and a circular-grained mainplate, highlighted by the exquisitely crafted bidirectional oscillating weight.
POWERFUL TORQUE
In addition to the powerful torque with which it is possesses, Calibre168– which powers the Sotirio Bulgari line–features an instant-jump central date indication. Its other main characteristics include optimal recharging of the mainspring energy supply thanks to its bidirectional oscillating weight and winding system. Calibre 168 is equipped with a disconnecting-gear device for the automatic-winding system during manual winding. It optimises winding of the barrel via the crown and thus avoids any risk of premature wear of the automatic-winding gear train.
The construction of Calibre 168 also had to meet a set of technical constraints with a
few to future developments. These include a cross-through balance bridge endowing the regulating organ with sufficient rigidity to guarantee rating stability, while the main plate and bridges are machined from nickel silver, a metal alloy typical of high-end mechanical movements and which is complex to work with yet ensures impressive overall sturdiness and rigidity of the movement structure.
CALIBRE BVL 168 – TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Description BVL168, mechanical self-winding Calibre; 168parts
Diameter 11.5 lignes
Display Hours, minutes, seconds, instant-jump central date
Dimensions Ø Casing diameter: 25.60mm– Total thickness: 4.75mm
Jewelling 25 jewels
Power reserve 42 hours
Frequency 4Hz – 28,800v/h
Winding Via a bidirectional oscillating weight
Balance Glucydur – 3 spokes
Adjustment by micrometrical screws (fine adjustment)
Bridges Barrel & geartrain: all of a piece construction(¾bridge);
balance: cross-through type
Mainplate & bridges Nickelsilver
Oscillating weight Bimetallic
Main plate Adorned circular graining
Lever bridge Circular grained
¾Vbridge Côtes de Genève
Bridge rim Bevelled
Bridge bevel Diamond-polished
Central date plate Snailed circular graining
Barrel Snailed drum
Oscillating weight Nickelsilver, dedicated Sotirio Bulgari cut-out, straight satin-
brushed flange, sun burst satin-brushed heavy segment
Calibre 168 has represented the culmination of a lengthy verticalization process that has led the brand throughout the past decade to progressively establish and build an integrated manufacturing division. In these new pictures, we can get a better view of the sophisticated finishing that includes Côtes de Genève motif and a circular-grained mainplate, highlighted by the exquisitely crafted bidirectional oscillating weight.
POWERFUL TORQUE
In addition to the powerful torque with which it is possesses, Calibre168– which powers the Sotirio Bulgari line–features an instant-jump central date indication. Its other main characteristics include optimal recharging of the mainspring energy supply thanks to its bidirectional oscillating weight and winding system. Calibre 168 is equipped with a disconnecting-gear device for the automatic-winding system during manual winding. It optimises winding of the barrel via the crown and thus avoids any risk of premature wear of the automatic-winding gear train.
The construction of Calibre 168 also had to meet a set of technical constraints with a
few to future developments. These include a cross-through balance bridge endowing the regulating organ with sufficient rigidity to guarantee rating stability, while the main plate and bridges are machined from nickel silver, a metal alloy typical of high-end mechanical movements and which is complex to work with yet ensures impressive overall sturdiness and rigidity of the movement structure.
CALIBRE BVL 168 – TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Description BVL168, mechanical self-winding Calibre; 168parts
Diameter 11.5 lignes
Display Hours, minutes, seconds, instant-jump central date
Dimensions Ø Casing diameter: 25.60mm– Total thickness: 4.75mm
Jewelling 25 jewels
Power reserve 42 hours
Frequency 4Hz – 28,800v/h
Winding Via a bidirectional oscillating weight
Balance Glucydur – 3 spokes
Adjustment by micrometrical screws (fine adjustment)
Bridges Barrel & geartrain: all of a piece construction(¾bridge);
balance: cross-through type
Mainplate & bridges Nickelsilver
Oscillating weight Bimetallic
Main plate Adorned circular graining
Lever bridge Circular grained
¾Vbridge Côtes de Genève
Bridge rim Bevelled
Bridge bevel Diamond-polished
Central date plate Snailed circular graining
Barrel Snailed drum
Oscillating weight Nickelsilver, dedicated Sotirio Bulgari cut-out, straight satin-
brushed flange, sun burst satin-brushed heavy segment
This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2012-09-11 21:50:05
New Pictures of Bulgari's Calibre 168
CALIBRE 168 New pictures of Bulgari's first in-house movement, CALIBRE 168, a mechanical self-winding base movement entirely designed, developed and produced in-house. It was launched at Baselworld 2010 and now powers watches in the Sotirio Bulgari Collec...
A nice movement with German Silver parts!
Didn't know that the Bulgari 168 utilized German silver parts! Thanks for the information! And I wonder what kind of useful and interesting complications will be modulated to this movement in the future!
Looks really a serious movement...
.. with beautiful design. Would love to meet in person with casing one day..... Ken
Looks like a solid, straight forward movement.
Most new in house movements being introduced by other brands seem to be extending the power reserve past 42 hours, but I think this is perfectly acceptable. Looking forward to new watches with this motor.
They are not showing the unseen front
ping, Thanks for the update. I remember the few celebratory watches for Sotirio Bulgari's anniversary but not many watches use this movement ....yet. The usually unseen front of the movement is under the dial and there is the feature described in the tech...
Here are some pictures of the watches.
Here are some of the watches that have the Caliber 168 movement. Yes, the jumping date is along the perimeter which imo, is an attractive detail of the watch. ...
Much better pictures of the movement.
The initial press photos were a little underwhelming. I still don't like the rotor's aesthetics, but the movement looks very solid. Cheers, Daos
The watch looks cool...
...and the movement seems well made - but why and where are the "powerful torque" needed? Just curious... Ken
