Bulgari Introduces Maglia Milanese Monete, a New Secret Watch That Combines An Ancient Coin And Milanese Mesh

A concealed timepiece protected by an imperial coin featuring an octagonal bezel, a flexible gold Milanese mesh bracelet, and a small mechanical movement.

Bulgari

Bulgari amalgamates its illustrious legacy of goldsmithing with its proficiency in horology in the Maglia Milanese Monete. The Maglia Milanese Monete, a remarkable secret watch concealed within an ancient Roman coin, boasts a meticulously crafted gold Milanese mesh strap and operates on Bulgari’s miniature in-house Piccolissimo BVP 100 calibre. Introduced at LVMH’s Watch Week in Milan, the Milanese bracelet is a first for Bulgari.

Bulgari, with a deep appreciation for Roman heritage and ancient history, commenced the production of coin-set Monete jewellery and timepieces in 1966. Bulgari's Monete collection, incorporating antique Roman and Greek coins in necklaces, chokers, earrings, and rings, prominently displaying emperors' profiles, names, and dates, achieved significant acclaim. The iconic Monete collection continues to be one of Bulgari’s most enduring lines, with Monete watches incorporating antique coins to conceal the dial and movement of its luxury models, including the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon and the Octo Roma Monete Skeleton Tourbillon.

Comparable to the 2023 Monete Catene secret watch, the Maglia Milanese Monete marks the brand's inaugural Milanese mesh bracelet. Housed in a rectangular rose gold box with a subtle Art Deco aesthetic, the centrepiece is adorned with an authentic ancient Roman silver coin depicting the profile of Emperor Caracalla (about 198-297 AD). A circular coin is positioned within an elevated octagonal frame adorned with diamonds. Equipped with a hinge, the coin may be elevated to disclose a white mother-of-pearl dial adorned with diamond indices and a series of sunrays emanating from the bezel to the sides of the case. The rose gold crown, octagonal in shape and adorned with diamonds, features a diamond cabochon at its apex, complementing the diamond-set octagonal bezel.

Bulgari

Equipped with two rounded and polished gold bar lugs, the distinguishing feature is the rose gold Milanese mesh bracelet. Bulgari has crafted its inaugural mesh bracelet, drawing inspiration from the intricately woven gold thread designs of Milanese goldsmiths during the Renaissance. A remarkable, flexible, and exquisite bracelet, it is fastened to the wrist with a pin buckle - a novel feature for Bulgari. A diminutive aperture on the caseback exposes the intricate Piccolissimo, the smallest spherical mechanical movement ever made. The 102-component BVP 100 calibre, manufactured in Bulgari’s facility in Le Sentier, Switzerland, has a diameter of 13.5mm, a thickness of 2.5mm, weighs 1.9 grammes, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and possesses a power reserve of up to 30 hours. This calibre may now be winded using the crown, differing from previous models.

The Bulgari Maglia Milanese Monete is priced at EUR 157,000. Explore more at bulgari.com.