Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulgari wristwatch, ref. BB, self-winding centre-seconds, circa 2000-2010
- Maker / attribution
- Bulgari (brand / maker)
- Date
- c. 2000-2010
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- platinum
- Dimensions
- diameter 33 mm
- Auction house
- Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
- Lot
- Lot 357-47
- Credit line
- Auction lot record: LOT 47, Geneva,December 8, 2022
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bulgari Ref. BB 33, self-winding, centre-seconds, date; “Diagono” “Automatic”; platinum (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 357-47), this is a wristwatch by Bulgari, made in Switzerland, dated c. 2000-2010. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: platinum. 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
Platinum, self-winding, round-shaped, gentleman’s chronometer wristwatch, sapphire-crystal snap-on case-back, “BVLGARI·BVLGARI·” bezel, silver colour dial with applied suspended numerals (6-12) and radial indexes, centre-seconds and one horological complications:· Half-instantaneous date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock)
Lot specifications (Antiquorum)
Model: “Diagono” “Automatic”; Reference: BB 33 PL AUTO; Movement No.: 5 043; Case No.: 241; Material: platinum; Bracelet: black leather Bulgari strap; Buckle: platinum Bulgari deployant clasp; Caliber: 220-MBBA, Chronomètre, platinum (0.950) rotor, 21 jewels; Diameter: 33 mm.; Weight: 80.4 gr. (approx.); Signature: dial, case and movement
Inscriptions & marks
dial, case and movement
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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