Bvlgari Focuses On Real-World Wear At Watches And Wonders 2026
Bvlgari returned to Watches & Wonders 2026 with a clear message: shape still matters. In its second year at the Geneva fair, the brand doubled down on its “Art of Shape” approach, using the Octo and Serpenti lines to show how design and watchmaking can move forward together.
The headline update lands with the Octo Finissimo. Now sized at 37mm, it feels more wearable straight away, but the real shift is inside. A new in-house calibre delivers a 72-hour power reserve while staying impressively slim, keeping the collection’s ultra-thin reputation intact. It’s a practical upgrade rather than a dramatic redesign.
For something more extreme, there’s the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon in platinum. At just 1.85mm thick, it pushes technical limits again, but it doesn’t stray from the clean, angular look the Octo is known for. It’s limited, highly engineered, and very much aimed at collectors who want the numbers as much as the design.
Over to Serpenti, and things take a more expressive turn. The Tubogas Studs models introduce a tougher, more graphic feel, mixing gold and steel with studded details pulled from the brand’s archives. Colour plays a big role too, with stone dials like malachite and mother-of-pearl adding contrast without feeling overworked.
The Serpenti Aeterna line leans further into jewellery territory. One version goes all in with a fully gem-set approach, while another keeps things more wearable with yellow gold and diamond accents. It’s less about pushing mechanics here and more about offering options that fit different moods and occasions.
Beyond watches, Bvlgari is extending its gold-and-steel mix into jewellery, particularly through new B.zero1 rings and a Tubogas set that mirrors the watch designs. The idea is consistent: keep the look recognisable, but make it easy to wear across categories.
There’s also a digital angle. A new system links each watch to a scannable passport via the brand’s app, providing owners access to details like authenticity and specifications instantly. No sign-ups, no friction — just a straightforward way to bring a traditionally offline product into a more connected space.
