At Watches and Wonders 2026, Bvlgari approaches watchmaking as a question of form. While others focus on complication or heritage, the Roman Maison continues to define its space through design, proportion, and material contrast. This year’s presentation reinforces that dual identity: jeweller and watchmaker, equally.
At the centre is the evolution of the Octo Finissimo, a collection that has already rewritten the rules of ultra-thin watchmaking. The new 37 mm version introduces a completely reworked architecture, powered by a newly developed in-house calibre measuring just 2.35 mm thick and delivering a 72-hour power reserve. By reducing the case size while improving ergonomics, Bvlgari shifts the conversation from technical performance alone to wearability, positioning the watch as a daily object rather than a showcase piece.
This pursuit of thinness reaches its peak with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon Platinum. Measuring just 1.85 mm in total thickness, it stands as the world’s thinnest flying tourbillon, now re-imagined in platinum. Limited to just ten pieces, the watch balances extreme engineering with material richness, proving that innovation at Bvlgari is as much about restraint as it is about pushing limits.
If Octo represents precision, Serpenti represents transformation. The Serpenti Tubogas Studs Capsule reinterprets one of the Maison’s most iconic forms through the unexpected combination of gold and steel. Studded elements punctuate the fluid Tubogas bracelet, introducing a graphic, almost industrial edge to a traditionally sensual silhouette. Across multiple variations featuring stone dials like malachite and sodalite, the watch becomes a dialogue between jewellery and design.
This evolution continues with Serpenti Aeterna, where the serpent is reduced to its purest form. Fully pavé-set with a vibrant mix of gemstones, the piece moves beyond representation into abstraction. It becomes less about the animal and more about energy, colour, and movement, a sculptural object that wraps around the wrist with fluid precision.
Beyond physical watches, Bvlgari also introduces a new layer to ownership with its Digital Passport. Through a discreet Datamatrix engraved on each watch, clients can access a digital identity containing technical specifications, authenticity records, and editorial storytelling. It is a subtle but significant shift, extending craftsmanship into the digital realm and redefining the relationship between object and owner.
Across all these releases, one idea remains constant: Bvlgari designs time before it measures it. Whether through the architectural geometry of Octo, the sensual curves of Serpenti, or the interplay of gold and steel, each piece is driven by shape, proportion, and presence.
At Watches and Wonders 2026, Bvlgari does not follow the codes of Swiss watchmaking. It redraws them, through a distinctly Roman lens.
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