The Imaginative Allure Of The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph
The newly updated timepiece is among the watchmaker’s summer-ready, Capri, and tennis-inspired additions to the Aluminium collection.
The Bulgari Aluminium is a perfect example of a wristwatch that seamlessly embodies a casual-chic aesthetic. First introduced in 1998 and then re-released in 2020, it is ideal for those who eschew a formal watch but still want to maintain a sophisticated sense of style for any occasion.
The collection has provided an avenue for the maison to showcase its playful side without appearing contrived. This year, it is introducing more imaginative executions and an update to a much-loved staple: the Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph.
It has been enlarged to 41mm and precision timekeeping is assured with the watch’s chronograph and date functions driven by the new B3181 mechanical movement.
There are two versions. The first has the iconic black and white dial, known as the “panda-dial”, while the second has a black dial featuring white hands and markers. There are no changes to the case construction, which consists of a matte aluminium mid-case with a black rubber bezel, a DLC-treated caseback, and crown and chronograph pushers made from titanium. Lastly, there is the familiar FMK rubber strap.
As for the collection’s latest expressive additions, the first is the Bulgari Aluminium Match Point Edition, a 40-mm time-only piece fitted with a tennis-inspired green rubber bezel, for the sporty. The 800-piece limited edition features a white dial, while its hands and markers match the green bezel.
Interestingly, the Bulgari Aluminium Match Point Edition differs from regular time-only watches by having a crown positioned on the left side of its case. This prevents it from digging into the wrist during a vigorous tennis session, or any other sport. As well as this, if you prefer to wear your watch on your right hand, having the crown on the left will be an excellent option. The Velcro strap ensures maximum comfort on the wrist.
Wrapping up the Bulgari Aluminium novelties are two watches inspired by the azure waters of the Capri island in Italy: the Bulgari Aluminium Capri Solotempo, an execution that measures time only, and the Bulgari Aluminium Capri Chronograph.
Both have a blue dial that smoothly transitions from its lightest hue at 12 o’clock to its deepest shade at 6 o’clock. The dials create a visual illusion that evokes Capri’s beautiful beaches, with a view of the clear skies and the Tyrrhenian Sea stretching across the horizon.
Powered by the B77 self-winding mechanical movement, the 40-mm Bulgari Aluminium Capri Solotempo comes with a blue rubber bezel and a DLC-coated titanium caseback.
The Bulgari Aluminium Capri Chronograph is a sleek 40mm with colour accents reminiscent of the Capri Solotempo. The self-winding mechanical movement calibre B130 provides reliable and accurate performance.
Both will be produced in a limited edition of just 1,000 pieces each, with the words “Faraglioni of Capri” engraved on their casebacks. It refers to one of Capri’s most famous sights: three large rock formations that rise out of the sea within metres of the island’s southern coast.
You don’t have to be a tennis player or a regular vacationer to Capri to enjoy these timepieces. Their innate versatility makes them suitable for anyone seeking a stylish casual-chic wristwatch.
