
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulgari Tubogas, c. 2000s
- Maker / attribution
- Bulgari (maker)
- Date
- c. 2000s
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 19 mm
- Stock no.
- 40992181
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40992181)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bulgari Tubogas (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 40992181), this is a wristwatch by Bulgari, made in Switzerland, dated c. 2000s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 19 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
Ladies' watches, unfortunately, don’t get the attention they deserve. It seems to be assumed that women are fine with shoddily designed timepieces devoid of soul. Of course, this is nonsense — there’s no reason whatsoever that a lady’s watch should be any less considered than a man’s! Bulgari is one of few companies whose thoughtful ladies’ watches have risen to the top — perhaps because of the firm’s background as a jeweler. The Serpenti, a serpentine line of ladies’ watches that originated in the aftermath of World War II, is today an iconic masterpiece of industrial design. While some are easily identifiable as, well, snakes, others are much more subtle in their design influence. This timepiece dates to circa the 2000s and offers a fanciful twist on the Serpenti theme in the form of a more conventionally-shaped watch head. Measuring at 19mm in diameter, it features a white gold case and “BVLGARI”-signed bezel with the collection’s signature integrated, wrap-around cuff bracelet. The watch head itself contains a sunburst black dial with applied indices, a matching 'sword' handset, and a quartz movement. On the lookout for a striking cocktail watch that is sure to garner a look or two? Then this is the timepiece to own!
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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