Bvlgari Diva's Dream Lapis Lazuli
Bulgari Journeys Back In Time With Its New Ladies’ Timepieces During Geneva Watch Days
The famed Italian house looked to its Divas’ Dream jewelry collection for its latest gem-set creations.
By Kristen Shirley
Contributor
Ancient Roman architecture, modern Italian jewelry, and high-tech Swiss watchmaking come together to create magic in Bulgari’s newest jewelry watches. It all begins with the magnificent floors of the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla, which are covered with fan-shaped mosaics. These mosaics inspired one of Bulgari’s signature jewelry collections, Divas’ Dream, and they have graced several watches throughout the years. During Geneva Watch Days 2021, Bulgari showcased five stunning new jewelry watches – three high-jewelry models in the Divas’ Dream Mosaica collection and two new Divas’ Dream watches with gemstone dials.
The Divina Mosaica high-jewelry timepieces take a somewhat literal approach to interpreting the floors of the Caracalla thermal baths. The fully gem-set dials of these gorgeous watches are covered with glittering fans composed of diamond, green tsavorite, or pink sapphire.
Divas’ Dream Pink Sapphire and Green Tsavorite
These green tsavorite and pink sapphire models feature fans, which are also the lugs, in a vibrant color gradient. The baguette-cut stones begin with a pale hue and intensify to richer colors at the base of each fan. In between these bookending fans, there are pavé diamond panels, which add extra sparkle and enhance the beautiful pink and green color combinations. The bezels are encircled with matching baguette-cut tsavorites or pink sapphires and rubellites, and each crown is topped with a cabochon-cut gem.
Aesthetically speaking, the fan-shaped lugs are positively striking, in and of themselves, perfectly complementing the 37mm case. These unique lugs are set with diamonds and more colored gemstones and topped off with an alligator strap in a coordinating color. Beneath these glittering gemstones is the in-house Calibre BVL 191, an automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve.
The pink sapphire model comes in an 18K rose gold case and dial, which brings out the warmth of the stones, while the green tsavorite watch is crafted from 18K white gold. Each watch has 282 diamonds, around 2.16 carats, and 261 sapphires or tsavorites, weighing approximately 12 carats. Both are water-resistant to 30 meters.
The Divas’ Dream Mosaica Pink Sapphire (ref. 103492) is priced at $162,000, while the green Divas’ Dream Mosaica Tsavorite (ref. 103491) is $174,000.
The Enchanting, Record-breaking Divas’ Dream Mosaica Minute Repeater
The all-diamond Divas’ Dream Mosaica Minute Repeater takes the combination of high-jewelry and complex horology to the next level. This spectacular watch is not just gorgeous – it’s a record-breaking minute repeater. The in-house Calibre BVL 362, with a 42-hour power reserve, holds the record as the world’s thinnest striking movement.
This ultra-thin movement is used in the Octo Finissimo collection, as well. Nevertheless, it’s rare for a jewelry masterpiece to feature a mechanical movement, much less a record-breaking one. This combination celebrates Bulgari’s mastery of both watches and jewelry.
Bulgari also chose a poetic way to activate the minute repeater. At 7 o’clock, there is a dangling diamond charm – in the shape of a fan, naturally. Sliding this charm actually activates the minute repeater, which tells the time in musical chimes. The finely finished movement is visible through an open caseback.
The beautiful dial features baguette-cut diamond fan mosaics interspersed with pavé diamond insets. There is also a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, and the bezel and case have even more diamonds. The 37mm watch, which is water-resistant up to 30 meters, is finished with a blue alligator strap, blue hands, and a cabochon-cut blue sapphire on the crown. This work of art comes in a white gold case, dial, charm, and crown that brilliantly showcase its almost 700 diamonds.
The Divina Mosaica Minute Repeater (ref. 103497) is priced at $368,000.
Relive the Dolce Vita
In the more everyday quartz-powered Divas’ Dream collection, the fan motif moves from the dial to the bracelet, making room for beautiful gemstone dials. The bracelet alternates 18K rose gold and diamond-set fan-shaped links, the effect of which adds depth and dimension while maintaining serene opulence.
There are two gemstone dials available – one lapis lazuli (ref. 103574), one malachite (ref. 103521) – highlighting the Bulgari logo and sitting atop a B043 calibre movement. Both are accented with diamond hour markers and have a diamond-set bezel. In total, each 33mm watch has 433 diamonds, weighing approximately 2.9 carats, and is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
These elegant and feminine Divas’ Dream timepieces truly evoke the Dolce Vita era and are priced at $49,800.
For more information, visit the Bulgari website.
(Photography by Pierre Vogel)
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