Vicenzaoro Highlights, September 2023: Constantly Evolving

The evolution of Bulgari watchmaking traces a path that not only explains a great deal about the famous company’s tradition and innovation, but also about the development of the market and the history of costume, precisely because all its creations are the expression of deep-rooted and global know-how. Andrea Granalli, High End Watches WW Sales Director Bulgari Time Sa, has been summoned to talk about this wonderful “adventure”. Here he offers a preview of the topics in the debate, moderated by Dodi Giussani, editor of the monthly magazine L'Orologio, entitled “Bulgari watchmaking: from octo finissimo to grand complications”. «We will start with some historical references in relation to the first examples of jewelry watches in the 1920s and the following decades, characterized by creativity and, above all, by unique pieces, and then we will move on to the first real watch collection, namely Bulgari-Bulgari in the 1970s,» Granalli explains. «After that, the focus will be on the acquisition of the Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta brands in 2000, the first step in Bulgari's evolution over the following decade from “watch assembler” to integrated manufacturer. We will then reflect on how much of the know-how "inherited" from these two brands is still visible today and how much has actually been achieved over the past 20 years or so in terms of innovation and new, “100% Bulgari” developments. Lastly, we will talk about the 2014 launch of Finissimo and what the expectations were regarding this iconic line that represents cutting-edge know-how in the field of miniaturization. We will then delve into chiming watches, our other highly specialized area,» says Granalli, adding that «we will also address the issue of the general public's perception of Bulgari as a brand evolving from jewelry to watchmaking.»