BULGARI'S LUMINOUS LUCEA

Since its inception in 2014, Lucea has exemplified Bulgari’s fresh approach to jeweled watches, solidifying its reputation as the “Roman Jeweler of Time” with a distinctive horological philosophy. “It’s about capturing the best of both worlds, merging substance with style, at the nexus of high watchmaking and high jewelry. Rather than merely adding diamonds to a tourbillon, we craft a jewel and then envision the caliber that would best complement it,” emphasizes Jean-Christophe Babin. This year, Bulgari celebrates the 10th anniversary of Lucea, as radiant and contemporary as ever. Crafted in steel and gold, its reimagined lines – from the bezel to the V-shaped bracelet links – elegantly encase dials featuring iridescent mother-of-pearl Intarsio or marquetry made of upcycled malachite fragments.

Thus unfolds a new chapter in the continuing story of time, as interpreted by the Roman Maison – a unique fusion of Italian flair and elegance, exceptional watchmaking, and the legendary radiance of gold. Bulgari’s creations are both intricate timepieces and masterpieces of jewelry. In the words of Antoine Pin, Director of Bulgari Watches, they translate “better than any other object, the emotions and meanings from those who create them to those who experience them.”

CHAPTER on Jewelry Watches LUCEA

Exquisitely feminine, Lucea not only tames the light, but also captures and holds the gaze. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the watch’s jewelry-inspired lines have been elegantly refined, gently and ever so closely embracing the wrist. Beyond its diamond-set dial, Bulgari unveils new facets of Lucea’s personality through the artistry of mother-of-pearl Intarsio and malachite inlay.

Lucea illuminates up time itself, like a sun. Its precious magnificence, the shimmer of its diamonds, and its exquisite architecture compete in a dazzling display of brilliance and sparkle. A harmonious blend of Italian design and Swiss precision, Lucea pays homage to the grandeur of the Eternal City. “Our roots lie in Rome and in the artistry of jewelry-making,” reminds Jean-Christophe Babin, Director of Bulgari, in 'Bulgari Beyond Time.' “Our high jewelry watch collections embody this dual legacy at their very core, showcasing its multiple facets – architectural, cultural, and emotional.”

Womanhood, reimagined

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Lucea, crafted in either the radiance of steel or the warmth of gold, exudes a gentle glow. Bulgari has meticulously refined its case and reimagined the bracelet's design, embracing symmetrical curves for an enduring elegance. “Our rich heritage in jewelry craftsmanship and design has been our compass in re-envisioning the Lucea bracelet. It's infused with a lightness reminiscent of Bulgari's classic jewels, a sensuality akin to that exuded by our iconic Serpenti collection, and a flexibility evoking the fluid links of Octo Finissimo,” states Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Product Creation Executive Director. The bracelet's V-links have been softened and rounded, enhancing their geometry while retaining their distinctive character. Alternating with polished central elements in either rose gold or steel, the bracelet gracefully wraps around the wrist, culminating in a sleek folding clasp.

Rays of mother-of-pearl

Crafted in either rose gold, lavishly set with diamonds, or in sleek steel, the elegantly slimmed-down, polished bezel frames a captivating dial, either in mother-of-pearl Intarsia or malachite marquetry. The signature Intarsia technique extols light, showcasing the organic iridescence of mother-of-pearl, a precious treasure of the seas, and adds a refreshing take on the sunray finish of watch dials. Artisans assemble ‘rays’ of finely cut mother-of-pearl – a task demanding the highest precision given the material’s brittleness – to create a sunburst pattern with three-dimensional pleating. In white or green mother-of-pearl, depending on the version, this shimmer born of nature itself enhances Lucea’s radiant allure.

Intense malachite

The green malachite marquetry on Lucea’s dial captures the sixties’ fascination with colored stones. This distinct tableau is composed of small pieces of the mineral that might have been overlooked but, here, are transformed into something beautiful through the art of upcycling. Skilled artisans at the Bulgari Manufacture in Switzerland carefully select each fragment for the vibrancy of its hue and the expressiveness of its grain. Meticulously cut and hand-assembled, every piece contributes to this special creation, rendering each Lucea a unique masterpiece.

Twelve brilliant-cut diamonds, claw-set in square, architecturally inspired settings, sparkle as hour markers on these remarkable dials, their angular shape contrasting with the gems’ roundness. Another diamond adorns the V-shaped crown, itself topped with a cabochon-cut synthetic sapphire, mirroring the dial’s design. One subtly opulent iteration of Lucea dazzles with a diamond-set bezel for total of 56 gems and 1.3 carats on the case and dial.

The latest Lucea models showcase the passage of time with a choice of two case diameters. The 33 mm version with a thickness of 9.16 mm is driven by a self-winding mechanical caliber with a 42-hour power reserve. Alternatively, the 28 mm version comes equipped with a quartz movement, allowing for a thickness of just 7.72 mm. For other versions, the brilliance of the bezel, in whether in steel or rose gold, is harmoniously paired with a metallic bracelet. These entrancing creations, straddling the line between watches and jewelry, “express the essence of our jeweler’s soul,” as Jean-Christophe Babin reflects, “because Bulgari’s heritage is rooted in the art of bringing gold and precious stones together, with extreme precision, to create exceptional pieces.”