Bvlgari, the Jeweller of Time, transforms the iconic Serpenti Pallini through the magic of the Piccolissimo calibre, a miniature mechanical heart.
With the exquisite rustling of myriad gold beads and a cascade of diamonds, the talismanic serpent embraces the skin in a voluptuous sweep. Behind hypnotic emerald eyes, hidden within its dazzling head, playful hours become a tender secret, like a promise of eternity.
A mystical creature capable of perpetual rebirth, Serpenti has offered Bvlgari infinite creative possibilities since 1948. Its magnetic charm continually reveals sophisticated and sensuous facets. “This irresistible and joyful new iteration of Serpenti Pallini, literally ‘small round beads’ in Italian, pays homage to Bvlgari’s heritage. I was inspired by the very first Pallini created in 1955, which featured a five-turn bracelet in yellow gold and diamonds,” reveals Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bvlgari’s Executive Director of Product Creation. A fabulous fusion of high jewellery and high watchmaking, these secret watches now feature the miniature Piccolissimo calibre; each showcases over 500 hours of exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. Shimmering in yellow, rose, or white gold and diamonds, Serpenti Pallini gazes with its magnetic allure from two sumptuous pear-cut emeralds, watching time pass and inspiring the audacity to be oneself, in total freedom.
The melody of time
With dazzling suppleness, the double-coil Serpenti Pallini wraps around the wrist with a gentle embrace. Its daring design, inspired by the historical Pallini of 1955, evokes the skin of an exotic serpent. Its scales are composed of countless small gold beads or brilliant-cut diamonds, each individually set on a gold mesh, using a technique derived from the ‘en tremblant’ method developed in 18th century Paris.
“Serpenti Pallini is a true tribute to our heritage. We have chosen to apply to our watches a distinctive technique of jewellery creation perfectly combined with the precision of the mechanisms. A perfect fusion of our Italian roots and brand DNA with the iconic Serpenti motif, along with our expertise in Swiss watchmaking with the Picolissimo movement” says Jean-Christophe Babin, Bvlgari CEO.
Bvlgari’s patented technique creates a spectacular effect by allowing each precious bead to move freely. Carried by the curves of the coils, the small gold beads and gems quiver with the slightest movement. Serpenti Pallini comes to life, intriguing and vibrant. And emotion is born, an invitation to play with this seductive serpent.
A heart worthy of exceptional artistry
Now animated for the first time by the Piccolissimo movement, the irresistible Serpenti Pallini is more charismatic than ever. A marvel of miniaturization created by Bvlgari’s Manufacture in Le Sentier, Switzerland, this calibre is one of the world’s smallest ever – indeed, it is currently the smallest round mechanical movement on the market. Its minute dimensions allowed Bvlgari to revisit the lines of Serpenti Pallini, and slightly resize the serpent’s head and tail to achieve perfect proportional balance.
The Piccolissimo’s extraordinary mechanics only enhance the charms of Serpenti Pallini, creating multiple ways to wear it. Easily removable, the calibre can also be rotated by half a turn to adapting the dial’s reading direction for the precious dial – with a diamond-set bezel or fully paved with diamonds. Thus, the versatile serpent slips, as it pleases, around one wrist or the other, a perfect expression of playful and wonderful time. Thus, the versatile serpent coils effortlessly around either wrist, a playful and wondrous metaphor for time.
Serpenti Pallini unveils its three new jewelled metamorphoses: diamond-set in white gold; white gold and rose gold; and white gold and yellow gold. This marks the first contemporary interpretation of Serpenti Pallini in yellow gold, whose solar brilliance returns to the forefront, instilling a deliciously vintage style to the jewelled reptile.
