If there was a world record for the watch with the most branding incorporated, Bulgari Aluminium would win it. Based on the then-groundbreaking style introduced in 1998, the Bulgari Aluminium lineup was reissued in 2020, with the aluminium and rubber timepieces evoking relaxed sporty elegance.
The lineup has received a playful update, with green and blue shades joining the monochromatic tones introduced in 2020. The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph has been equipped with a new movement, the calibre B381, and has been sized up to 41mm (from 40mm). It’s available in both classic black-and-white as well as a sleek all-black iteration—both of which feature luminescent hands and indexes. The 41mm case is (obviously!) composed on aluminium and is fitted with a titanium caseback, with the Aluminium Chronograph water resistant to 100m.
Both iterations sport the signature black rubber bezel (complete with Bulgari branding) and are presented on a black rubber strap (also emblazoned with obvious branding!) with aluminium links and an aluminium pin buckle.
Coming just in time for Euro summer, the Capri edition sees the black and white tones swapped for shades of blue; with a dark blue rubber strap and bezel complemented by a blue gradient dial which graduates from light to dark from 12 to 6 o’clock. Redolent of days on the sea, the timepiece features a yellow-dipped seconds hand, in line with the nautical theme. On the caseback, you’ll find an engraving of the Faraglioni of Capri, the trio of rock formations that have become emblematic of the island. The Capri edition is available as both a Chronograph and Solotempo, each limited to 1000 examples.
There’s also a Match Point Edition; ostensibly designed for tennis lovers, but also catering to those who simply enjoy the verdant hue. Equipped with the calibre B77, the Solotempo (time-only) model caters to the lefties, with the crown sitting on the left-hand side to ensure maximum comfort during wear. Bulgari Aluminium Match Point Edition takes on a clean aesthetic, with a green rubber strap and bezel surrounding a white dial. Unlike the other releases, the strap utilises a velcro closure rather than the traditional pin buckle.
The Aluminium collection is now available via the Bulgari webstore.
Words by Theo Rosen