8 minute read

Bvlgari Fuses High Jewelry and Haute Horlogerie for LVMH Watch Week 2021

For the second edition of LVMH Watch Week, Bvlgari unveiled exclusive new models that are emblematic of the Maison’s distinctive codes. Online events for industry professionals and watch aficionados the world over celebrate the avant-garde technology and cutting-edge expertise that define Bvlgari watchmaking. The Serpenti Spiga, Diva’s Dream Peacock and Octo Finissimo take center stage with inspiring innovations for 2021.

Advertisement

Bits of Glitz

At Bvlgari, the boundaries between watches and jewels are voluntarily fluid. The Roman Jeweler of Time melds masterful Swiss expertise with the exquisite finesse of high jewelry. Bvlgari’s iconic snake is transformed in fresh interpretations with the new Serpenti Spiga watches. Three models – gold, rose gold and diamond – with an intricate matelassé pattern have enriched this sensual collection. The Spiga – “wheat” in Italian – has been one of Bvlgari’s most successful designs since the 1980s. A stalk of wheat, a symbol of fertility and prosperity often linked to marriage since antiquity, inspired the different modules in the line. The meticulous finish requires hours of skilled craftsmanship. Modular elements are inserted around an internal flexible spring, interlocking without soldering. The two-row or single-row Serpenti Spiga bracelet watches fit perfectly around the arm, taking watchmaking and jewelry creativity to unprecedented heights. The most eagerly awaited Serpenti Spiga is no doubt the high jewelry interpretation, adorned with more than 800 diamonds and a cabochon-cut blue sapphire on the crown.

Color, another emblematic Bvlgari code, is given an extravagant interpretation for 2021 in three new watches in the Diva’s Dream collection for women: Divas’ Dream Peacock Dischi, Divas’ Dream Peacock Diamonds and Divas’ Dream Peacock Tourbillon Lumière. The peacock, the favorite creature of Juno in Roman mythology, provided the inspiration for these new creations. Crafted in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, the Divas’ Dream Peacock Dischi features a dial with marquetry of natural peacock feathers, meticulously selected for their brilliant colors. The precision of the inlay technique is matched by that of the BVL 308 “dischi” automatic movement, The Divas’ Dream Peacock Diamonds showcases a medieval goldsmithing technique called champlevé to create the peacock outline that adorns the dial. The design is slightly raised, spectacularly set off by diamonds set in the dial and a bracelet featuring the signature Diva fan-shaped motif. Last but not least, the Divas’ Dream Peacock Tourbillon Lumière is a masterpiece of haute joaillerie and haute horlogerie, created in a 10-piece limited edition. The 37mm rose gold case, diamonds and feather marquetry set off the BL 208 calibre and skeletonized tourbillon movement.

Bvlgari’s Esteticca Della Mecanica – or “aesthetic of mechanics” –philosophy figures at the heart of the Octo Finissimo saga. Exciting new interpretations redefine the spirit of men’s sport watches with the Octo Finissimo S, Octo Finissimo S Chronograph GMT and Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Titanium. All share bold design, extraordinary innovation and technical prowess. Introduced in 2020, the stainless steel Octo Finissimo S is now available in a new monochrome edition. The timepiece features the in-house BVL 138 automatic calibre with a 2.23mm micro-rotor. With its screw-down crown set with ceramic, the model is water-resistant up to 100 meters. The Octo Finissimo S Chronograph GMT boasts a blue sunray dial, an ultra-thin GMT BVL 318 calibre and an ingenious mechanism to display a second time zone. The third new iteration is the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Titanium, instantly recognizable with its titanium case, black dial and rubber strap.

With these superb new timepieces for women and men, Bvlgari stakes its claim as a leader in iconic watchmaking for the 21st century.

Discover the brand’s novelties unveiled at the LVMH Watch Week on its website.

lvmh.com

Bits of Glitz

FIERY NEW EXTREMES

The beat of hyper horology, the thrill of Lamborghini supercars: Roger Dubuis is at it again. Inspired but not submissive to the past, firmly geared to the future, the timepieces created by the brand are living proof of an unshakable belief in the power of making up its own rules as it goes along. Made by visionary engineers, crafted by incredible watchmakers, Roger Dubuis watches are enough to set the senses of even the most hardened aficionado buzzing.

Who needs to break the rules when they can invent the entire game? Busting completely out of the customary horology boxes, of recent years, Roger Dubuis has drawn inspiration from cutting-edge industries sharing the same values. This has resulted in the birth of an iconic alliance: Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Several masterpieces further down the track, the latest fiery steed to exit the Geneva stable is the 88-piece limited edition Excalibur Huracán STO.

As its name implies, this distinctive new timepiece takes design cues from the livery of the power-packed Lamborghini Huracán STO. The road-homologated super sports Huracán STO is itself inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make Huracán Super Trofeo EVO race series. It notably features rear-wheel drive and a V10 naturally-aspirated 640 hp engine, with the resulting acceleration and 310 km/h top speed ensuring an emotion-charged track experience on every outing.

Channeling the same exhilarating vibe as its automobile namesake, the 45 mm Excalibur Huracán STO is powered by an automatic RD630 calibre with a honeycomb motif. This truly mean machine roars into life

Bits of Glitz

with a 12° angled balance wheel combined with a 360° oscillating weight. The latter reproduces the same kind of speed effect as a Huracán wheel and is a brilliant representation of the movement signature associated with Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Topped with an upper calibre with a strut-bar design bridge reminiscent of those found on the V10 engine of the Lamborghini Huracán supercar itself, the Excalibur Huracán STO is housed in a sleek carbon case with a black DLC titanium bezel. Setting a vibrant finishing touch is an original strap on which perforated blue calfskin leather allows a sizzling view of orange fabric overlaying a comfortable rubber inner.

An ode to unbeatable design, the Excalibur Huracán STO is firmly dedicated to an exclusive tribe who live their life to the fullest – Roger Dubuisstyle. For a clan this ready to feel the adrenalin, it goes without saying that Roger Dubuis is the most exciting way to experience Hyper Horology. Hedonistic, free and ever so slightly mad.

www.rogerdubuis.com

25 Nugent Street, Grafton Auckland 1023 +64 9 523 2105 www.studioitalia.co.nz

FINE HAS NEVER MET EXTRAORDINARY

Passion for Fashion

LOEWE X MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, A POETIC AND COMFORTING COLLABORATION

Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s film masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro, the latest capsule collection from Loewe celebrates the love of craft shared by the celebrated Spanish luxury house and Studio Ghibli. The protagonists of the cult 1988 Japanese animated movie come to life on clothes, bags and accessories in a truly magical creative encounter.

Studio Ghibli was a natural choice for Loewe’s latest collaboration given their mutual love of artisanal techniques. Created in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, the Tokyo based Japanese production studio has produced a host of hugely successful award-winning films, including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. The characters and images in the film have become timeless icons marked by poetic animation, fantastical adventures, environmental message and magnificent soundtracks. For Loewe Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, My Neighbor Totoro is the ultimate in heartwarming entertainment. The designer finds the friendship of the young heroines with the king of the forest, the magical Totoro and his mischievous susuwatari dust bunnies who can’t be seen by adults especially touching.

Nature and the importance of protecting it by living in harmony with the environment figure at the center of the LOEWE x My Neighbor Totoro collaboration. This mutual connection with nature is captured in the campaign images created with photographer Gray Sorrenty. The models play a game of a hide and seek in magical looking woods, fused with images of Totoro, the Studio Ghibli mascot. The gentle creature’s silhouette is transported on loose t-shirts, vibrantly colored hoodies, oversized shirts and hand-painted leather jackets. Characters from the animated film come to life on leather accessories such as wallets and pouches, plus the iconic LOEWE Puzzle, Balloon and Hammock bags. Tote bags are embellished with a tapestry technique, drawing on meticulous craftsmanship to recreate the world of My Neighbor Totoro. Studio Ghibli’s original drawings are interpreted for this collaboration with Loewe as prints, leather marquetry and jacquard intarsia, giving the collection a timeless and mythic feel.

“The message is one of dreamy serenity and handson creativity – of being at one with nature and with one’s own inner child,” says Jonathan Anderson. “This is especially important right now and, I think, always will be,” adds the designer. The LOEWE x My Neighbor Totoro collection is available in a limited edition at Loewe points of sale worldwide, including Le Bon Marché in Paris.

Passion for Fashion

THE NEW ALMA CAMPAIGN BY LOUIS VUITTON

Louis Vuitton presents the Alma BB in a rainbow of eye-popping colors for Spring.

Afresh and contemporary take on the iconic Alma bag, Louis Vuitton introduces the Alma BB in five vibrant colors presented by Rianne Von Rompaey, Sacha Quenby, Sora Choi and Vittoria Ceretti.

The bag is embellished with an embroidered jacquard strap to match, featuring Monogram flowers on one side and the Louis Vuitton logo on the other.

This article is from: