The Bvlgari brand is a relatively underrated brand in the world of watches. These days, most watch brands are misusing the term ‘luxury’ to sell their timepieces, to the extent the meaning of luxury has been watered down.

So, this brings us to the question of whether Bvlgari is a true luxury brand or not.

Bvlgari is a luxury brand. Bvlgari offers remarkable horological value in their watches. The quality and reliability of their watches also qualify them as a luxury brand. The luxurious of their jewelry is reflected in their watches. These factors make Bvlgari one of the top luxury watch brands.

The word ‘luxury’ is almost synonymous to expensive. However, every watch collector or lover knows that not all expensive luxury watches are worth the cost. Bvlgari watches prove it is not in this category with our informational reasons below.

3 Reasons Why Bvlgari Watches Are So Expensive

Some people think of Bvlgari watches as fashion watches without any real value. This assumption explains the reason why they feel the watches are expensive.

However, Bvlgari watches are not expensive for no reason. Here are some of the reasons why Bvlgari watches are so costly.

1. Horological Origins

The first Bvlgari shop was founded in Italy on Via Sistina. Two years after, the Bvlgari brothers who took over from their father, Sotirios Voulgaris. Early in the 20th century, the brothers, Giorgio and Constantino, started incorporating the use of semiprecious stones in their jewelry.

Society’s Favorite

The brand grew to become a society favorite in the Dolce Vita years. Screen giants like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey loved Bvlgari. It was at this time that the brand diversified into watchmaking.

The first Bvlgari-Bvlgari model launched in 1977. In 1980, Bvlgari set up in Switzerland, the home of watchmaking.

When in 2000, Bvlgari acquired the Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta brands, it significantly increased their horological value.

Independent Manufacturing

When you add their state of the art manufacturing facility with the acquired suppliers of various watchmaking components, you get the value of the Bvlgari watch brand.

By 2010, the brand was able to introduce its first in-house mechanical movement. The movement was completely designed, manufactured, and assembled by Bvlgari.

2. Watchmaking Process

While the watches produced under the Bvlgari name has always been beautiful, Bvlgari just recently started carrying out the entire watchmaking process.

Other brands had produced the Bvlgari Bvlgari Men’s collection and women’s Serpenti watches under the Bvlgari name.

Though they started making their movements and complete watches in 2010, Bvlgari has since then turned out impressive watches.

From the horological mechanisms to the watchbands and dials, Bvlgari makes every component of their watches. 

Four Facilities

From the four sites in Switzerland where the manufacturing company is located, over 350 employees execute each watch from design to final quality control measures.

Sentier

The Sentier facility produces the Solotempo, the Finissimo, and other Grand complications. The facility is also responsible for the assembling of these watches.

With the small functional parts required for these watches, the facility employs the use of advanced technologies and qualified technicians.

Saignelegier

The Saignelegier facility produces the cases and bands of Bvlgari luxury watches. This location has an array of specialized meters for the several stages of production.

One of their machinery includes numerical control milling machines. They also have a polishing chamber where the metal bands are processed by hand.

Chaux-de-Fonds

Chaux-de-Fonds, the third facility, makes their high-end dials. The detailed design of these dials requires expertise and experience, which the facility possesses in abundance.

The processes put in place ensure impeccable quality that will meet worldwide standards of excellence.  

Neuchatel

The Neuchatel facility of Bvlgari is the brain where all assembling and final quality control testing is done.

This facility is where the jewelry and watchmaking sides of Bvlgari come together. Using the lost-wax casting technique, expert goldsmiths polish, assemble and finish the precious metals.

The effortless synergy that exists between all of the facilities that partake of the Bvlgari watchmaking process accounts for their high-quality watches. Considering that Bvlgari uses four facilities for the creation of their watches speak volumes about the reason why these watches are expensive.

3. Watch Quality

Bvlgari is known for its fine jewelry making. This quality is not missing from their watches. The brand employs the use of semiprecious stones and other materials in the production of its watches.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Their record-breaking achievements emphasize the quality of their watches in recent times. More than just the gems, Bvlgari has also made strides in the innovative quality watches that have never been seen.

World’s Thinnest Tourbillon

One of the latest achievements by the watch brand is the making of the world’s thinnest tourbillon in 2014. The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon is a record-breaker at 1.95mm. 

This achievement brought more attention to the watchmaking process of the brand. It also improved their reputation among watch lovers.

World’s Thinnest Minute Repeater

At BaselWorld 2016, Bvlgari revealed the world’s thinnest minute repeater. This watch was a noteworthy achievement considering the complexities of a minute repeater’s movement. 

The movement measured at 1.95mm. After casing, the watch comes to 6.85mm, beating the record of the Jaeger-Lecoultre’s Hybris Mechanical 11, which is 7.9mm.

The brand has shown itself as a master in the watchmaking process with these record-breaking watches. This class of excellence takes time and resources. So, it is no fluke that the result of Bvlgari watchmaking is on the high side.

Do Bvlgari Watches Hold Their Value?

In terms of lasting a long time, Bvlgari holds its value. The materials used in these watches ensure the durability of Bvlgari. However, this brand’s resale value is not so great. There are several economic and social factors that determine the value of luxury brand watches.

Bvlgari watches are a combination of the traditional style and modern watchmaking. The luxury watches make use of gems and have a shiny attraction that makes them a favorite among women.

More than just style, Bvlgari watches are a study in innovation and quality movements. Their collections also hold a certain appeal to many watch lovers.

Compared to some other watches with in-house movements, Bvlgari is not so expensive. However, you might be bothered about the long term value of these watches.

Long-Lasting Value

You could be asking this question for two reasons. One would be that you want to resell your wristwatch after a few years. The second reason could be because you want a valuable watch that will last you for a long time.

Bvlgari watches are loved not just because of their Italian and Romanic styles. These watches are also beloved for their exquisite design and execution.

When you get a Bvlgari, you get a watch that makes you stand out, but no so much that you seem obnoxious.

Resale Value

When we add their design to the use of excellent quality materials and gemstones, you have a precious watch. However, when it comes to resale, Bvlgari is like any other luxury watch.

You don’t get so much from the resale of their watches. If you keep your watch in good condition, you can get, at the least, a 60% discount. This value is quite average compared to the resale of other luxury watches.

Regardless of resale value, if you can afford a Bvlgari, you should get one. These watches are worth their prices and retain their value despite years of use.

How Did Bvlgari Watches Evolve Over The Years?

The Bvlgari story from jewelry brand to watchmaking is exciting and noteworthy. We would take a look at the progression of the Bvlgari watch brand over the years.

The evolution also shows how Bvlgari went from scorned jewelry watchmakers to respected modern watchmakers.

• 1984 – Sotirio Volugaris, Greek silversmith, starts Bvlgari with the first shop in Rome
• 1905 – The brand’s flagship boutique open in Via Condotti, Rome. It is still today, Bvlgari’s emblematic store.
• 1920 – The first Bvlgari watches produced with the use of semiprecious stones.
• 1940 – Bvlgari Serpenti watches become popular. The design birthed out of Roman antiquity hid the face of the watch in the snake’s head. 
• 1955 – Bvlgari jewelers start using the Tubogas technique.
• 1960 – Unique Bvlgari styles begin to emerge. Compact shapes and distinctive use of colors endeared the brand more to the public.
• 1975 – Bvlgari Roma is launched. The watches were a limited edition meant for faithful customers.
• 1977 – Bvlgari Bvlgari emblem is born. The double engraving follows the tradition of the inscriptions of ancient Roman coins.
• 1998 – Bvlgari combines rubber and aluminum in Diagono, a sports watch.  
• 2004 – Bvlgari watchmakers develop the first grand complication watch with an in-house tourbillon movement.
• 2010 – Bvlgari adopts a vertical approach to its manufacturing process. This new process made them the manufacturers of all the details of their watches.
• 2012 – Bvlgari introduces the Octo collection
• 2014 – Bvlgari launches LVCEA, which contains a watch bracelet that imitates snake scales. They also break the world record for thinnest tourbillon movement with Octo Finissimo Tourbillon.
• 2016 –  Bvlgari breaks the record of world thinnest minute repeater with its Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater.

Conclusion

Bvlgari is a luxury brand that has grown in leaps and bounds in the watchmaking world. The brand holds value not just for its unique style but also for its innovative movements. You shouldn’t hesitate to add a Bvlgari watch to your collection.