The Summer Vibes of the New Bulgari Aluminium Ice Blue and White Models
Bulgari’s lightweight Aluminium unveils its summer wardrobe.
While the sleek, ultra-thin, record-breaking Octo Finissimo is now the first collection that springs to mind when you mention Bulgari, there are older, equally provocative references like the Bulgari Aluminium. Unveiled in 1998, the Bulgari Aluminium surprised audiences with its radical combination of lightweight aluminium and rubber. With its double Bulgari signature on the black rubber bezel, the sporty-chic Aluminium was an unmistakable Bulgari product. Refreshed in 2020, the Aluminium returns in cool summery attire with white rubber accents and a refreshing Ice Blue or White dial.
Although women’s jewellery watches have been part of Bulgari’s offering since 1918, the first men’s watch produced on an industrial scale was the 1977 Bulgari Bulgari. A straightforward time-and-date model, it was defined by a gold bezel engraved with the brand name twice, echoing inscriptions on ancient Roman coins. What might have seemed audacious at the time – turning the logo into a design signature – proved a resounding success. Building on its popularity, Bulgari launched the sporty Diagono chronograph in 1988, which still featured the Bulgari Bulgari engraving on the dial. A decade later, the brand took another radical step with its unisex Aluminio collection, combining aluminium and rubber. While the pairing may seem familiar now, Bulgari’s watch was a striking departure for its use of aluminium in the case, a material more commonly associated with lighter components, such as bezels.
Brought back by popular demand, the refreshed Aluminium collection now features mechanical automatic movements, improved water-resistance from 30m to 100m, upgraded, more scratch-resistant aerospace-grade aluminium, reshaped lugs, a titanium caseback and crown, and a sharper, more graphic dial.
Available with time-and-date, GMT and chronograph functions, the summer duet corresponds to the 40mm time-only model. The case is made of lightweight aluminium, while the caseback and crown are crafted from lightweight yet more resilient titanium. Finished with contemporary sandblasted surfaces, the case has a slim profile of 9.4mm. Both models feature the signature rubber bezel with the double brand signature, but in line with the summery attire, the rubber bezel is white, matching the integrated rubber strap. Flowing seamlessly from the case, the white rubber strap has central sandblasted aluminium links to enhance articulation and comfort on the wrist and is attached with a classic pin buckle.
The Ice Blue dial with its sun-brushed finish evokes icy waters and is a perfect antidote to the heat. A signature trait of the watch is the large Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock, accompanied by baton markers. The indices and hour and minute hands are coated in thick blue varnish, contrasting with the central seconds hand, which has a bright red lacquered tip and circular counterweight.
Asserting its monochromatic palette, the White opaline dial reference steers clear of colour and relies on rhodium-plated indices and hands, with white lacquered accents on the central seconds hand. Both models have Super-LumiNova inserts on the tips of the hour and minute hands and a date aperture at 3 o’clock.
Positioned as an entry-level watch, the Aluminium is not powered by an in-house calibre but by the calibre B77 with a Sellita SW300 automatic base (a clone of the ETA 2892). Beating at 4Hz, the movement delivers a 42-hour power reserve and is hidden beneath the titanium caseback.
While both models share a retail price of EUR 3,700, the Ice Blue edition is limited to 500 pieces. More information at bulgari.com.