Bvlgari
Rome, Italy · Est. 1884
Founded by Sotirios Voulgaris
Bvlgari, the Roman jewellery and luxury goods house founded in 1884, entered watchmaking seriously in the 1970s and has become recognised for its architecturally bold designs such as the Serpenti and Octo Finissimo. The Octo Finissimo has set multiple world records for the world's thinnest mechanical watch, establishing Bvlgari as a serious technical force in horology.
- Founded
- 1884
- Headquarters
- Rome, Italy
- Group
- LVMH
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Octo Finissimo — Ultra-thin collection that has broken multiple world records for slimmest mechanical watches, including automatic, tourbillon, and minute repeater.
- Serpenti — Iconic snake-inspired jewellery watch collection dating back to the 1940s, blending high jewellery with haute horlogerie.
- Lvcea — Women's collection inspired by light and Roman heritage, featuring elegant round cases with cabochon crowns.
Timeline
- 1884 — Sotirios Voulgaris, a Greek silversmith, opens his first shop in Rome on Via Sistina.
- 1940 — Bvlgari begins producing its first wristwatches alongside its renowned jewellery.
- 1975 — Launch of the Bvlgari Bvlgari watch with the double-logo bezel that becomes a design icon.
- 2000 — Bvlgari acquires Daniel Roth and Gérald Genta, bolstering in-house watchmaking capabilities.
- 2011 — LVMH acquires a majority stake in Bvlgari, integrating the brand into its watch and jewellery division.
- 2014 — Octo Finissimo debuts and begins its record-breaking streak as the world's thinnest watch in multiple categories.
- 2022 — Octo Finissimo Ultra at 1.80mm becomes the thinnest mechanical watch ever made.
- 2025 — Set 10th world record with Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon at 1.85mm thick. Debuted Serpenti Aeterna at Watches & Wonders.
- 2026 — At LVMH Watch Week 2026 in Milan, reinterpreted Monete and Tubogas lines. Debuted Lvcea Notte di Luce with Urushi master Yasuhiro Asai.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bvlgari
- Why is it spelled 'Bvlgari' instead of 'Bulgari'?
- The 'V' replaces 'U' following classical Latin inscriptions, honouring the brand's Roman heritage. Both spellings refer to the same company.
- Does Bvlgari make its own movements?
- Yes. Since acquiring movement manufacturers and opening its own manufacture in Le Sentier, Bvlgari produces in-house calibres, particularly for the Octo Finissimo line.