Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph wins “Iconic” award at GPHG

On November 12, the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie rewarded the Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph model presented in the “Iconic” category. This is the sixth prize awarded to Bvlgari by the “watchmaking Oscars”, after those won by Octo Finissimo and various Jewellery Watches over the past six years

Held at Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman with an extremely small number of participants present, the digital ceremony was streamed live on numerous platforms. Of the four watches presented by Bvlgari at this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, all were nominated by the Jury for the final competition.

The Prize awarded to the Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph and presented to Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bvlgari Group, perfectly embodies what the company loves to do: namely the unexpected. Witness the six Octo Finissimo world records racked up in six years, as well as the new Aluminium collection launched at the Geneva Watch Days last August.

Bvlgari Aluminium

For more than 20 years, it has been speaking a universal language transcending gender, age, fashion, times, social profile and personal style. Launched in 1998, the first-generation Aluminium overturned traditional codes by using materials unheard of for a luxury brand: aluminium and rubber. More than two decades later, this collection is still as powerful as ever and is definitively etched in watchmaking’s collective memory.

Its black and white design makes for a sophisticated, sporty watch in tune with a certain vision of modernity. This creation reinterprets the concept of luxury objects and sports watches. While Bvlgari is renowned for its precious metals, gems and jewellery creations, the new Bvlgari Aluminium dares to surprise with its focus on style: pure lines and an unmistakably cool attitude expressed through striking graphic design. The collection is simple, yet it makes an impression with a fresh, surprising and impertinent approach that defies the conventions of traditional luxury watchmaking, just as it did more than 20 years ago.

By incorporating unconventional materials, Bvlgari was a pioneer in reinventing the idea of luxury. At first glance, the materials feel out of place, and yet, through a certain alchemy, they are reborn, transformed into luxury pieces through vision and execution. The planet-wide success was epitomised by the livery of an Alitalia Jumbo jet 747, providing a giant backdrop for the watch’s colours. While Bvlgari Aluminium was ‘The Watch’ of the jet set, it took on a unisex dimension that was not usual at that time. The new Bvlgari Aluminium watch is smart and cool, immediately recognisable as part of the Bvlgari DNA.

The idea that limits are made to be transgressed and conventions exist only to be questioned is precisely what Bvlgari is all about. Between the two generations of Bvlgari Aluminium watches, the comfort on the wrist got improved. The 2020 versions no longer house a mechatronic-quartz movement but instead a manufactured Bvlgari mechanical self-winding movement. Lastly, the aluminium alloy is more resistant and the rubber technical features have been improved as well.

The new Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph houses a mechanical B130 calibre movement with automatic winding, and boasts a power reserve of 42 hours. Featuring both chronograph and date indications, the watch is set in a 40 mm aluminium case with rubber bezel. The warm grey dial contrasts well with black counters and SNL indexes and hands. The chronograph, water-resistant to 100m, is offered on a rubber bracelet with aluminium links and an aluminium ardillon buckle.