On the occasion of the Bulgari Brand Event, which took place in June in Capri, Bulgari introduced its most expensive high-end timepiece ever made - the Serpenti Misteriosi Romano secret watch - as well as several other extraordinary styles, such as the Serpenti Misteriosi Intrecciati secret watches .
But that's not all. Guests at Capri's Bulgari Brand Event also had the chance to discover the three new Monete watches.
One of Bvlgari’s most recognizable motifs, Monete uses ancient coins to create a link between past and present and nod to the Maison’s classical Greek and Roman roots. The style was first conceived of by Nicola Bulgari in 1966, who asked the question, “Why not do something contemporary with what is immortal ?”
The first Monete secret watches debuted in 2017, with the introduction of an Octo style and a jewellery-style pendant. Those two designs have been reimagined in 2019 with two Octo Roma Monete watches, available in rose gold or platinum, and the Monete pendant watch.
The Octo Roma Monete with an extra-thin skeleton movement, in rose gold, is fitted with an ultra-rare 4th century Roman coin on its face. It opens with a touch of a button to reveal the caliber BVL 268 SK, a mechanical manufacture movement with manual winding, flying tourbillon, and a 52-hour power reserve.
The coin features a relief of the Emperor Constans, one of the three sons of Constantine the Great, who ruled Rome and the Western provinces of the Empire; the reverse features the Concordia, or harmony, of the three brothers, who were able to rule together peacefully for many years.
The watch comes with a black alligator leather strap fitted with an 18kt pink gold folding buckle.
The second Octo Roma Monete, which comes in platinum, features a different coin that also depicts the Emperor Constans. The reverse side seems to celebrate his victory over the Franks, which was one of the highlights of his reign.
The Monete pendant watch features a 2nd-century coin depicting the Head Laureate of Apollo of Grynion on its face and the god Apollo on its reverse side. The octagonal pendant is crafted in rose gold and suspended from a 90-centimetre solid gold chain. Both the chain and the watch bezel and dial are set with elements made of hand-cut rubrum coral coming from Sardinia and brilliant-cut diamonds.
