The 2012 Bulgari Serpenti Sneak Peek

In preparation for the 40th Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show in March, Italian watchmaker Bulgari has presented an updated model of their popular Serpenti collection. This stunning women’s bracelet doubles as a wristwatch without any fastenings, and slips onto one’s wrist to resemble a flexible snake. The Bulgari Serpenti watches are well-known for being an eye-catching timepiece that combines precious metals, stones, and diamonds in one.

The Bulgari website elaborates that, “the figure of the reptile, a symbol of eternal youth and immortality in the mythological bestiary, is an integral and long-established part of the aesthetic universe of the Italian jeweler, and consistently appears in the most striking Bulgari collections.”

The case and watch-face is designed to be the head of the snake, while the body is black or eggshell enamel coiled as the bracelet, and set with diamonds. Produced with 18k pink gold, the watch-face contains sapphire crystals, which are both anti-reflective and scratchproof. Under this sapphire glass, sits black sapphire with thirty-three diamonds, twelve of which are set onto each of the hour marks; the face is also available in white pearl with a mother-of-pearl dial. Additionally, the casing has a polished bezel on both sides with six more diamonds, at 0.6 karats each. Bulgari personalized the movement of this new Serpenti with a Swiss Caliber B031 quartz movement powering the mighty snake.

Each individual “scale” of the Bulgari Serpenti is done in either black or eggshell enamel and is set with diamonds. The snake is designed to coil twice around the wrist in order to display 346 total precious stones (but can also be ordered in single coil). In total, the weight of the diamonds alone is 4.12 karats. Though with all of these diamonds, metals, and twisting parts, it would seem to be a bit cumbersome for a bracelet, Bulgari insists it is quite lightweight and comfortable.

Bulgari’s website has a specific section for the Serpenti collection, reminding the curious watch aficionado of its enchanting and magnificent styling. Bulgari evokes the ancient symbol of the snake as a sign of eternity and healing, while offhandedly mentioning that Elizabeth Taylor wore a similar bracelet in the 1962 classic Cleopatra.

Made in the image of the classic Bulgari Tubogas bracelet, the Serpenti is offered in 5 meters of pink gold for the single wrap, and 10 meters for the double coil. Most Serpenti watches start at $10,000, but those anxious to see this hot new watch coiling up their wrist will have to wait until March for Baselworld.

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