
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulgari Bulgari, 2000
- Maker / attribution
- Bulgari (maker)
- Date
- 2000
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- 40991539
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40991539)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bulgari Bulgari (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40991539), this is a wristwatch by Bulgari, made in Switzerland, dated 2000. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Analog/Shift
Bulgari enjoys a unique relationship with the timepiece industry. A part of the LVMH group, they are perhaps better known — at least outside watchmaking circles — for their luxurious high jewelry, fashion, and fragrance divisions than they are for their wristwatches. But what watches they do have are really quite something. One need look no further than their award-winning (and completely breathtaking) Octo Finissimo series to prove that they have it where it counts in terms of design chops. This particular Bulgari dates to the 2000’s and is housed in a 38mm yellow gold case with a sapphire crystal, a gold winding crown, and an "BVLGARI" engraved bezel. It features a black 'tappisserie' dial with applied gold 'hash' indices, a matching gold ‘pencil’ handset, a date window at 3 o’clock and comes paired to a black alligator-pattern leather strap with a signed 18k yellow gold deployant clasp. Not many brands have a signature aesthetic –– this particular Bulgari sports the brand's recognizable engraved bezel on a lovely, moderately-sized gold case, making it a versatile piece for the office, a night out on the town, or a casual weekend hang.
Historical context
Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.
Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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