Among the subtle elements a watch may offer, one of the rarest is the carillon function for striking watches. This term defines a striking mechanism playing at least three notes. To achieve this, the Bulgari Carillon Tourbillon uses three hammers – one of the most refined and therefore most uncommon configurations.
The energy stored by the watch is distributed to the movement, built around the most prestigious regulating organ: the Tourbillon. The mechanical hand-wound Manufacture Calibre DR3300 comprises 327 parts artfully arranged around the large tourbillon carriage. The two horological complications, the tourbillon and the carillon, are entirely complementary. A process that delivers the mechanical power through two barrels. One keeps the striking mechanism running and is automatically rewound when the latter is armed, while the other guarantees a minimum 75-hour power reserve.
The gongs of the Carillon Tourbillon are delicately fashioned in several successive stages. These entirely hand-crafted special-shaped gongs serve to achieve a perfect and absolutely identical sound quality. The artisans also pay close attention to the toothing of the driving levers in order to create the best striking chords for the minute-repeater thanks to the three carillon hammers.The artisans also pay close attention to the toothing of the driving levers in order to create the best striking chords for the minute-repeater thanks to the three carillon hammers.
The architecture of Calibre 3300, the cut-out of the bridges and the positioning of the various parts are designed to be original, contemporary and contrasting so as to the mechanism. Moreover, the decision to rework the overall design also targeted the watch functions. The dial is suspended from the inner bezel ring and topped by a faceted sapphire crystal. It serves to enhance the resonance of the striking mechanism while also providing enhanced lateral visibility of the mechanism. The striking lever has also been reworked and repositioned to ensure an optimal grip. Finally, the case itself has been redesigned and slimmed down.
Alternating between polished steel parts – hammer, gongs, tourbillon carriage – and openworked surfaces, the finely decorated mainplate and bridges are given an elegant NAC surface treatment, an alloy composed of metals: platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and indium.
This new version of the Carillon Tourbillon watch provides a fresh interpretation of this exceptional model, featuring a slimmer pink gold case and subtly reworked to deliver enhanced legibility, while maintaining the signature characteristics of its original design.
