Amidst the pandemic, the two-day Geneva Watch Days in late August turned out to be the only multibrand event to be held in Switzerland this year, with 17 participating brands. Among the big names was Bulgari, whose new collection reinforces the brand’s image of being unconventional, and turning the status quo on its head. Among the standout pieces was the new Aluminium collection and the record-breaking Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic. Bulgari’s other big announcement was that starting September 1, all its watches will come with a three-year warranty, and five years for High-End, Octo Finissimo and Gerald Genta collections.

BVLGARI ALUMINIUM

This 2020 version reignites the fire lit back in 1998 by the first-generation aluminium models. The 40 mm aluminium case features a titanium caseback and a rubber bezel. The dials are in black and grey. Instead of the mechatronicquartz movement of the earlier generation, the new version comes with the self-winding movement B77 caliber in the regular watch, and B130 caliber in the chronograph. Both with a 42-hour power reserve.

OCTO FINISSIMO TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON AUTOMATIC

For the sixth time in six years, Bulgari sets a new record with the Octo Finissimo line. Its 42 mm sandblasted titanium case is 7.40mm thick. The BVL 388, the skeleton movement with automatic winding, chronograph single-push and tourbillon, is ultra-thin at 3.5 mm, and provides a power reserve of 52 hours.

GERALD GENTA ARENA BI-RETRO SPORT

This new tribute to the legendary Swiss watchmaker who died in 2011, features jumping hours seen through a window at 12 o’clock, and a minute hand that traverses an arc, spanning the top half of the black anthracite dial, and snaps back to zero every 60 minutes. Likewise, for the date, which is set in a smaller arc at 6 o’clock. The 43 mm case is in brushed titanium, and is powered by the BVL 300 caliber with a bidirectional self-winding movement, boasting a 42-hour power reserve.

THE SERPENTI SEDUTTORI TOURBILLON

Echoing the Octo Finissimo World Records on the men’s side, this lady’s watch comes in the iconic Serpenti case, specially designed to fit the smallest tourbillon (3.65 mm thick) in the market. The 34 mm case is in rose gold or white gold with diamond pavé and a leather strap, or white gold with diamond pave, and a full diamond bracelet. Five new Serpenti Seduttori editions round out the 2020 collection. Their designs reinterpret the typical snake-skin smooth bracelet to debut one precious version with diamonds, and one with alternating rose or white gold and steel.