dxboon
[Elite User]
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Pride and prejudice
Very thought-provoking, Ping. Bulgari has a right to be proud of its heritage and accomplishments in the world of luxury goods. I don't think anyone would deny that their success is proof enough that they've made some good choices about their products. However, I think high-end watch collectors -- at least the kind who seem to largely haunt this site -- may prove harder to convert to the "in your face" logo placements that have come to symbolize Bulgari's design philosophy.
Judicious placement and use of one's name is not synonymous with hiding one's identity. To capture the hearts and minds (and wallets) of a larger segment of the high-end watch collecting crowd I think Bulgari has to change their tactics a bit (these are just my personal opinions). Bulgari should embrace their heritage by channeling the themes of familial/corporate history into the design of their watches, but sublimate the desire to place the company name on the bezel as they are currently doing. Surely, pride can be assuaged by the placement of the company name on the dial in a more commonly acceptable size. I feel that if increased subtlety in design isn't found in their collection at some point soon, then WIS will continue to associate Bulgari watches with their fashionable, but horologically less significant watches of yesteryear. That's a prejudice that they already have to fight. Why fan the flames? As we all know, you can have the best product in the world, but perception by the public is also key.
It's my feeling that if they continue on the double logo path it will take them longer to gain the support of the haute horlogerie community. I'd like to see them make a clean break from their fashion-oriented watches of the past, and innovate using the considerable resources of their company. Let's see Bulgari chart a new course, set the foundation for a new horological legacy. Good, organic design in service to the product; not a logo, will assure pride of place for the Bulgari name in the pantheon of watch gods much quicker than all the bezel engraving in the world.
Cheers,
Daos
What's in a logo?
In a recent effort to preserve consistency in Bulgari related discussions throughout the PuristSPro website, AT posed an inquiry to Bulgari regarding the spelling and use of the company name, whether it should be Bulgari or Bvlgari. They directed us to us...
That's a well placed question, Ping . . .
. . . and after giving it some thought, there's not a single watch on my wish list that has a prominently placed logo on the case or bezel. Curiously, there are at least a few designs without an obviously visible logo that I find compelling. This is one o...
It's a simple matter of taste and preference...
I suppose Art. I am however curious about what exactly is on your "wish list". Hope you'll share at the next get-together.
Pride and prejudice
Very thought-provoking, Ping. Bulgari has a right to be proud of its heritage and accomplishments in the world of luxury goods. I don't think anyone would deny that their success is proof enough that they've made some good choices about their products. Ho...
succumb to group pressure
Hi Daos, u brought up an interesting point to consider in ur paragraph: should bulgari abandon its proud design succumb to popular demand!? In essence, those BVLGARIs r exactly what "embracing one's own heritage and channeling the themes into a design" at...
You are absolutely right Ed...
The logo along with the jewelry capture that Greek/Roman essence and style better than any other brand out there. And that in itself is beautiful no doubt.
Ed, there's definitely a market for the existing product...
...and I don't think those pieces should be completely abandoned. I just would like to see Bulgari present some other takes on their design heritage. We'll have to see what the future holds for them. I'm certainly interested in what will come to pass! Che...
The elements of design
Hi Daos, ur arguments are rational and absolutely valid from marketing/business POV i was merely intrigued of how WIS r predetermined with the notion of brand name. If those BVLGARIs were meaningless symbols and we judge purely on its asymmetry, execution...
Good points, Ed!
I can't speak for other watch geeks and their preconceived notions of Bulgari, but I'm keeping an open mind. Cheers, Daos
Thank you for the equally thought provoking response Daos!
I happen to agree with you on the suggestions for attracting more of the WIS crowd. I think the acquisition of DR/GG can prove to be a good first step in exploring these possibilities. They might perhaps gain a better understanding from these brands, what...
If I would ever purchase a watch with the brand name etched on the case or bezel?
If it's done in a creative and discreet way, like on the case of the Louis Vuitton watches, I would and I did. But the way Bulgari does it, twice on front of the bezel, is too vulgar for me. I am glad that there are also Bulgari watches, without logos eng...
Very subtle and appealing...
I like the way LV placed theirs along the side of the case so it isn't readily visible at first glance, similar to the PPro ABR. Thank you for sharing the picture.
... it depends on the time
Back in the 80s things have been different - fashion, hairstyle, design, ... When Bulgari started with watches I think they did a good job: A classics which is still wearable and somehow "cool". Yes, most of them with a quartz movement, but hey 80s The ne...
Seems like you've followed Bulgari's history closely Oliver...
Love the Scuba SD38, the semi-circular cutouts on the bezel are an interesting feature. The double logo doesn't stand out as much in the matte black stainless steel. Is that PVD? Thank you so much for sharing your points of Bulgari fondness with all of us...
Great post!
Its quite exciting to learn that bit of history and see how these models evolved over time. one thing for sure is these bulgari has strong styles THx for sharing, Ed~
Your Scuba 38
Hi Oliver, Thanks for sharing your pics of the Scuba 38. Which strap do you wear most, the rubber or leather? And do you change the strap yourself? Regards, ED-209
Thoughts …
Bulgari is another example of a company (and watches) that evoke strong emotions in both directions. Just as we bristle over internet posts with capitals, my first response to BVLGARI BVLGARI is “stop SHOUTING at me”. But I prefer my watches a bit more un...
Very well articulated Andrew...
I think you will find yourself in the company here of many who share your exact senitments. Bulgari has a lot riding on the merger. Sometimes, great risks need to be taken in order to produce great results. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Without agenda
AndrewD, The current Mrs MTF and I share a BVLGARI or two. Actually, it was my Rettangolo that, mysteriously, migrated to her watch box (!) I don't get to share her BVLGARI stuff.......I'd look odd wearing them anyway. I just wanted to point out that when...
Branding …
Hi Melvyn, The ‘web-shouting’ observation is an interesting one. It hadn’t entered my mind that capitalisation prior to the 1990’s might have meant something different to what it does today.* That’s probably an interesting question for the BL Forum. Perso...
It's lik the Big M Golden Arches
for McDonalds burgers.......not just any sandwich....but a Big McD sandwich! BVLGARI did not mean to be subtle....the roman capitalisation is 'required' to represent the company logo as a Roman brand. Mr Genta decided to play on the logo by saying it twic...
Agree with your thoughts on this...
Hi Andrew, I agree with your thoughts about DR/GG. There is a huge opportunity for Bulgari to diversify their product line. We'll have to see what happens in the next few years. And interesting point about the shouting with the logo. I never thought of it...
Diversification ...
Hi Ed, Congratulations on this new Forum. While it might be more “ subtle if the logo was placed on the side of the case”, this is not what Bulgari is about. What I would prefer is that the watch lines are diversified. There is a place for the...
Logo or no logo?
Thanks Ping for clarifying the use of the "u" or the "V" in the Bulgari name. I've always wondered what is the appropriate term and the historical significance of it. This is a very thought provoking topic. Should the Bulgari watches have the logo display...
Perfectly said...The Best of Both Worlds...
I absolutely agree that the best way Bulgari can maximize their profit and market share is to preserve their heritage as well as explore new territory. Whether they will be successful or not at the feat remains to be seen. I certainly think they are on th...
So that's the secret behind the name!
Thanks Ping, I was wondering for a while why it is BVLGARI vs Bulgari and your explanation makes sense. Mystery solved! -MW
My take...
To me, the bvlgari-bvlgari bezel is what got me interested in watches in the first place. I fell in love with them and have owned 4 bvlgari pieces with the double logo bezel (my first bvlgari was a Diagono aluminium 38mm) Good thing about bulgari's collec...
The Bulgari Diagono Aria
Hi Faisal, Really looking forward to see your pics and your thoughts on the Aria. I think the GMT 3 time zones is a pretty cool concept and I'm interested in learning how it functions. Do you find it easy to read each time zone? Hope you can start a new t...
The Aria is a great watch!
Hi Ed, The Aria is one of the best watches I've ever owned, both in terms of aesthetics and function. It is really beautifully finished. It is sooo easy to read all 3 time zones. And I get lots of compliments. I will post pics as soon as I get my new came...
The archaic latin alphabet
I would like to add some notes regarding the use of the letter "V" instead of "U". You have correctly written that the "V" in the Bulgari logo is only used when it is written in all caps, as that is the classical Roman type. In fact, first of all, the arc...
The Bulgari company ...
Thanks for that background information. Very interesting and much appreciated. I wonder why, then, that they use BVLGARI as a logo, but refer to the company as "Bulgari". Would it be sensible to have consistency and just refer to themselves as "BVLGARI"? ...
its something to do with its heritage Greece/Rome
Hi Andrew, I too was intrigued by that when i got interested in bulgari timepieces and what i found was the aggregated of what Ping & Hear349 stated: The company originated in Greece was "bulgari", then they moved & opened shop in Rome where in old Latin ...
BVLGARI
Hi Andrew The real name is BOULGARIS and was a greek familly befor they move to Italy And the V to replace the U was decided By Sotirio (founder) before his death