Bvlgari (BVLGARI) has once again partnered with the renowned Swiss independent watchmaking brand MB&F to launch a collaborative project, creating the new BVLGARI x MB&F SERPENTI limited edition watch, which was grandly unveiled at the Bvlgari Resort Yacht Club in Dubai. This marks a significant milestone as the classic Serpenti snake-shaped jewelry watch series steps into the realm of men’s watchmaking, embodying the spirit of Serpenti’s continuous transformation.
Founded in 2005, MB&F stands for Maximilian Büsser & Friends, reflecting the collaboration between the brand’s founder and his friends. Known for its imaginative three-dimensional kinetic sculptures, the brand draws creative inspiration from science fiction masterpieces, supercars, and the animal kingdom. The two brands previously launched their first collaboratively designed watch, the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra, in Dubai in 2021, where Bvlgari showcased its exquisite jewelry setting craftsmanship combined with the MB&F Legacy Machines series, which became a topic of discussion.
This collaboration features Bvlgari’s most iconic classic Serpenti design combined with MB&F’s unique movement. Bvlgari reimagined the watch case’s appearance, discarding hundreds of versions in the process, and took inspiration from automotive aerodynamic design to achieve a fully three-dimensional biomorphic shape that offers different visual experiences from the front, side, top, and bottom views. The complex curves extend to five pieces of sapphire crystal glass on the exterior of the metal case, including the serpent’s eyes and the multi-faceted case back area, with all surfaces coated with anti-reflective film. The curved metal and sapphire crystal must fit perfectly to meet the 30-meter water resistance standard.
The core concept of the watch is to present the lively eyes of the Serpenti through mechanical movement. Therefore, the internal movement structure has also been rethought, allowing the hour and minute hands to serve as the left and right serpent eyes, respectively. The ultra-thin dome is crafted from aluminum and hand-painted with Super-LumiNova luminescent paint, ensuring easy readability in low light. The center of the serpent’s head features a stunning 14mm large flying balance wheel, and the three-dimensional balance bridge that holds it is engraved with both brands’ names. The independent crowns on either side allow for manual winding and time setting, seamlessly integrating with the case’s lugs. Power reserve is displayed on the case back.
This collaboration includes three color variations, with only 33 pieces produced for each style. The first features a Grade 5 titanium case with a blue hour and minute hand dome; the second has a rose gold case with green serpent eyes; and the final version is made of black PVD-coated stainless steel with red serpent eyes.
