Bvlgari introduced the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti, the first men’s timepiece in the iconic Serpenti collection, limited to 99 pieces. The unveiling occurred at the Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai, highlighting innovative watchmaking. In 2021, Executive Director of Watch Design at Bvlgari Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani and Owner and Creative Director of MB&F Maximilian Büsser collaborated on the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra, blending Bvlgari's jewelry aesthetic with MB&F's Legacy Machines. This second collaboration reinterprets the classic Serpenti, transforming it into a Horological Machine with a complete redesign of its mechanical engineering, movement, and case – culminating in the unique Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti.
The Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti case features striking curves and incorporates five sapphire crystals, including the snake's eyes. These crystals have anti-reflective coatings and provide large openings for the movement inside. The complex in-house movement breaks traditional watchmaking norms, with the left dome rotating every 12 hours and the right dome rotating every 60 minutes, animating the snake's eyes. Constructed from lightweight aluminum and finished with Super-LumiNova, the domes glow in the dark, enhancing the serpent's captivating gaze. Flipping the machine reveals more magic with the power reserve indicator and some of the 310 hand-finished movement components.
The new Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti series, inspired by its origin, also reflects the creators' shared passion for car design. Although there was no initial intention to incorporate automotive elements, such influences are evident. The case resembles the sleek bodywork of cars, the sapphire crystal mimics the rear window flaps of sports cars, and the crowns are reminiscent of car wheels. Additionally, the visible movement features components that evoke car engines, including a grille with the iconic hexagonal scale motif from earlier Serpenti designs.
Three different versions of the watch are available, each limited to just 33 pieces. The first version features a grade 5 titanium case with blue hour and minute domes. The second version is housed in an 18k rose gold case and has striking green eyes. The third version is crafted from black-coated stainless steel and showcases vibrant red eyes. With its striking design and innovative mechanics, the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti invites admirers of the serpent to embrace its allure.
