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Bulgari wristwatch, ref. BB, Geneve 25 Ans Automatic, circa 2000's — view 1 of 4
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bulgari wristwatch, ref. BB, Geneve 25 Ans Automatic, circa 2000's

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Bulgari (brand / maker)
Date
c. 2000s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
stainless steel
Dimensions
diameter 33 mm
Lot
Lot 357-46
Credit line
Auction lot record: LOT 46, Geneva,December 8, 2022
Catalogue title (original)
BULGARI, REF. BB 33 SL, GENEVE 25 ANS, AUTOMATIC, STEEL (English)

View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 357-46), 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. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 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

Antiquorum catalogue description

A fine, self-winding, limited, stainless steel wristwatch with date

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Limited Edition: 062/500; Reference: BB 33 SL; Bracelet: stainless steel Bulgari buckle; Caliber: 220, 21 jewels; Diameter: 33 mm.; Signature: Dial, case and movement signed; Accessories: fitted box, certificate of authenticity

Inscriptions & marks

Dial, case and movement signed

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

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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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