Bulgari

The Sotirio line of watches introduced by Bulgari in 2009 to celebrate the company's 125th anniversary combines modern styling with historical classism and elegance.  The collection is named after the founder, Sotirio Bulgari.  The watches incorporate a "unique case construction that allows an exceedingly refined alternation of finishing and the direct integration of lugs into the back case". 

With all the talk of Endurers, Octos and Diagonos, the Sotirio seems to have gotten overshadowed and lost in the mix.  Now I hear that Bulgari is "fine-tuning the watch strategy" of this line.

While they are in the midst of doing this I thought it may be helpful for you to express your opinions about the Sotirio watches.  What do you think of the design of the case, lugs, watch as a whole?  What do you like or not like and what would you change?

 

 

SOTIRIO BVLGARI retrograde date automatic watch with an 18kt pink gold case. It features a white dial and an alligator strap with an 18kt pink gold ardillon buckle.

Movement: Mechanical with automatic winding. 42 hours power reserve.
Function: Hours , minutes, seconds and retrograde date
Case: 42 mm 18kt pink gold
Dial: White with decorative pattern
Bracelet: Brown alligator

 Price:  $20,000.00

Price:  $7,800.00

SOTIRIO BVLGARI annual calendar automatic watch with an 18kt white gold case. It features a black dial and an alligator strap with an 18kt white gold ardillon buckle.

Price:  $43,800.00

This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2011-08-25 11:40:41

a bit of the lugs on VC's round malte watches, which I like as well.  Most lugs on watches are rather standard and conservative, thus going away from the norm can be risky as there are always going to be a group that does not like a different design.  I also like the dial design of the annual calender.  I like some of the calender indications displayed in windows rather than having 3 subdials for all indications.  I also like the retrograde date display.  Are the movements in both watches manufacture movements or are they in large part outsourced?  If there is a high quality movement in the annual calender I think it justifies the price.  If it is an ETA movement I think the price is a little high. 

Stewart

Thank you for your comments. At Baselworld last year, Bulgari introduced a line of Sotirio Bulgari watches equipped with their Calibre 168 in-house movement.  Here is the link to the press release:

http://news.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-112/pi-3730471/ti-596926/

 I'm not sure whether these new watches have made it to the boutiques yet.  i haven't really heard anything and they don't seem to be on the website.  Perhaps it is a part of their new strategy regarding the SB.

I agree with your thoughts on the lugs.  I've found that people either love them or hate them.  Regardless, they give the watch its signature look.  The prices do seem quite high.  I've noticed that Bulgari prides themselves on the highest of quality and construction, especially when it comes to the cases and it definitely shows in their prices.  At least you know you are getting something extremely well made. Still, it would be nice if they left some room for those of us with slightly more shallow pockets. 

Do you currently own any Bulgari watches?

 

I do not own a Bulgari watch at this time, but I like most of their designs and have them on a list of brands I don't own but would like to.  They remind me a bit of Cartier in that they both have been thought of as jewelry makers making fashion watches, but both have made a concerted effort to change perception by becoming manufactures and designing their own in house calibres.  Like many here, I like my watches to have in house calibres though I don't have a really good explanation why.  I think what I really mean is I would prefer a watch to not have an ETA movement.  If an outsourced movement is from Renaud and Papi, or Christophe Claret, etc., I think I would be okay with that.  Anyway, I look forward to seeing the new Bulgari models in the metal once they are available.

Stewart

Hi Docsnov, the movement used for annual calendar is a Vaucher calibre and not ETA movement. Only on the date retrograde the base is an ETA while the module is Bulgari in house.

No message body

Now that you menion it, I don't think I've seen the Bulgari Sotirio watches with the Caliber 168 at any of the boutiques I've visited. 

The only one I did see was during a visit about a year ago when I was at the Bulgari Boutique at Crystals Mall City Center in Las Vegas and I handled the Sotirio 125th anniversary limited edition.  It had the new Sotirio case but only had the BVL250 automatic movement (not the in-house caliber 168).  Here's a few pics:

 

Regards,

ED-209

I feel the watch has too many things going on when I look at it.  My eyes are moving all around the watch and can't focus on a particular area.

First you have the sunburst dial (is this the correct term?) which makes my eyes focus at the 6 o'clock hour marker.  And there's not much to look at at the 6 o'clock marker.  So then my eyes move upward to the retrograde date right about 6 o'clock.  After that, my eyes then move all around and look at the "X" styled lugs. 

If Bulgari is looking to revamp the Sotrio line, my opinion is the design is too complicated.  It needs to be more simple and less busy.

Just my 2 cents,
Anthony