Inspiration can come from anywhere, and when it comes to Bvlgari, it’s often found in nature. Whether it is the emblematic Serpenti that sits proudly on the Maison’s creations, the delicate florals in its ‘Fiorever’ collection, or the vibrant gemstones reflecting natural wonders found in its ‘Mediterranea’ High Jewelry collection, the Roman jeweler has immortalized myriad natural wonders in the form of precious metals and stones.
In 2017, Bvlgari turned its creative lens to one of nature’s most fascinating creatures – the peacock, giving birth to the Bvlgari’ Divas’ Dream Peacock’ collection. Unlike the ferocious Serpenti that mysteriously coils around wrists, the magnificent peacock radiated beauty, unfurling its feathers on the dials of Bvlgari timepieces. Now, at the 2023 Dubai Watch Week, Bvlgari has unveiled three peacock masterpieces: the ‘Divas’ Dream Peacock Feather Marquetry,’ the ‘Divas’ Dream Peacock Mother-of-Pearl Marquetry,’ the ‘Divas’ Dream Peacock Precious Marquetry Jumping Hours and Retrograde Minute.’
BVLGARI ‘DIVAS’ DREAM PEACOCK FEATHER MARQUETRY’
The ‘Divas’ Dream Peacock Feather Marquetry’ timepiece pays homage to the spectacular plumage of the blue peacock. The dial is meticulously affixed with twelve real peacock feathers, each with distinctive ‘eyes’ symbolizing wisdom. These feathers, referred to as ‘hairs,’ are naturally shed by the bird and thoughtfully gathered. The selection process involves a careful curation of feathers based on their colors and textures. Attaching the feathers to the watch involves a complex marquetry technique.
Originating in Renaissance Italy and rediscovered by Bvlgari in the 1970s, this craftsmanship, despite its reliance on basic tools such as a magnifying glass, tweezers, knife, and scissors, demands several days of meticulous work. To enhance their natural luster, each feather undergoes a passage through an antique brass steam machine. Subsequently, they are intricately cut, assembled, glued, and sculpted into a mosaic.
BVLGARI ‘DIVAS’ DREAM PEACOCK MOTHER-OF-PEARL MARQUETRY’
The ‘Divas’ Dream Peacock Mother-of-Pearl Marquetry’ captures the majestic outline of a peacock in a blend of gold and mother-of-pearl. The bird’s fan-shaped feathers gracefully spread across the lower dial, complemented by a minuscule rose gold beak and a crown atop its head. The backdrop features a delicate canvas of white mother-of-pearl, calling for precision work owing to its fragile nature. The reverse side of the mother-of-pearl is painted to introduce varying shades of blue, then carefully cut and placed into recesses carved directly into the dial.
BVLGARI ‘DIVAS’ DREAM PEACOCK PRECIOUS MARQUETRY JUMPING HOURS AND RETROGRADE MINUTE’
The remarkable dial of this ‘Divas’ Dream’ watch will take your breath away. Bringing the peacock to life with precious stones, the opulent timepiece is a testimony to Bvlgari’s horological and gemological craftsmanship. Inspired by Bvlgari’s hallmark cabochon cut from the 1950s, a sapphire dome floats above the majestic peacock. Through three-dimensional marquetry, the bird spreads its ornate tail, flaunting the intricate detailing of its plumage.
Each element of this horological wonder is skillfully curved to fit seamlessly within the layered structure. Rose gold, snow-set diamonds, aventurine, and malachite accentuate the charm of this dazzling creation. This Divas’ Dream Peacock timepiece is a complex masterpiece, perfected after a year of development and numerous iterations.
Its unique watchmaking mechanism, anchored by the BVL 262 Manufacture movement, enhances the deployed craftsmanship. It features the “jumping” hours feature in the twelve o’clock aperture, and a retrograde hand at the upper dial indicates the minutes. To ensure the time display takes center stage, the stem of the retrograde hand is crafted from transparent sapphire extended by a metallic tip. Tsavorites adorn the cabochon-cut crown and the emerald eye of the peacock, serving as exquisite details on this extraordinary timepiece.
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