New Bulgari, Hublot and Zenith models shine at LVMH Watch Week 2021

LVMH-owned watch brands Bulgari, Hublot and Zenith have used the second, online-only edition of the annual LVMH Watch Week to launch a series of spectacular new models for 2021.

Following the success of the first LVMH Watch Week in Dubai last year, the three brands are sharing their latest creations and developments with press and clients around the world to start the year on a positive momentum.

For the 2021 edition of LVMH Watch Week, the group’s watchmaking maisons are creatively combining the convenience of digital meetings using state-of-the-art tools with the hands-on experience of one-to-one physical presentations in 15 countries, offering attendees a seamless, informative and interactive experience to discover the four brands’ latest releases.

Read on for a look at the highlights of LVMH Watch Week 2021.

HUBLOT: BIG BANG TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC ORANGE SAPPHIRE

This year's showstopper was Hublot's striking Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire. This transparent, black, yellow, blue and red design saw the maison master the creation and machining of sapphires with exclusive shades for its watchcases.

The brand has executed a world-first by adding a completely new colour to its palette of through-tinted sapphires; an unprecedented technical and aesthetic feat.

This stunning design is combined with an entirely new tourbillon movement not only equipped with self-winding (a rarity for a tourbillon), but also with a reinvented architecture with its micro-rotor visible on the dial side and three sapphire bridges. This design is a limited edition of just 50 pieces.

HUBLOT: CLASSIC FUSION TAKASHI MURAKAMI ALL BLACK

The brainchild of one of the world's most renowned living artists, Takashi Murakami, this remarkable design serves as a subtle reflection between Japanese tradition and pop culture. He masterfully achieves this result by combining leading-edge multimedia tools with traditional Japanese techniques such as gold leaf. 

The innovative Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami is inspired by Murakami’s icon, the smiling flower. Here, the symbol is present both in and on the watch. Thanks to an ingenious ball-bearing system developed by Hublot’s engineers, its petals start turning. The center of the smiling flower is inserted onto the sapphire glass, creating a unique three-dimensional effect to go along with its wide prominent smile.

For an even more pronounced effect, the petals (456 brilliants) and face (107 brilliants) are here set with black diamonds, while an Unico calibre movement in the case offers a 72-hour power reserve. Limited to 200 pieces.

HUBLOT: CLASSIC FUSION ORLINSKI 40MM

Richard Orlinski’s now emblematic edges, facets and bevels have been artistically sculpting Hublot watches since 2017, when he and the Swiss watchmaker presented their first artwork to be worn on the wrist.

Since then, no material shaped by Hublot, nor any component of the watches, has seemed able to resist Orlinski’s masterful faceting. Not even ceramic; not even a dial.

The Classic Fusion Orlinski 40mm now comes in a monochrome mode in two editions entirely clad in ceramic, with the exception of the strap and the crown. In terms of colorimetry, the flashy blue and gloss black are reminiscent of the colour codes used in the artist’s XXL bestiary.

ZENITH: CHRONOMASTER REVIVAL A385

This year, Zenith is bringing back the first El Primero watch with a gradient dial from 1969 in the Chronomaster Revival A385. One of the most significant pieces in the El Primero story, the A385 was one of the original three stainless steel chronographs housing the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph. Within its tonneau-shaped steel case was an eye-catching brown gradient dial, which was possibly the first "smoked" dial ever to be made in the watch industry.

The Chronomaster Revival collection has witnessed the return of several iconic Zenith chronographs in stunningly accurate details. More than just vintage-inspired watches, the Chronomaster Revival collection consists of faithful reproductions of historical references, using the original production plans from 1969. It preserves the original proportions and finishing of the 37mm steel case with pump-style pushers.

ZENITH: DEFY 21 URBAN JUNGLE

The fastest chronograph in production gets a new, bold colourway in shades of green: meet the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle. Through the DEFY collection, Zenith continues to set new standards in both precision and avant-garde design, using innovative and high-performance materials paired with ground-breaking manufacture movements.

An exceptional 1/100th of a second chronograph that pushes the limits of high-frequency precision with a futuristic design language, the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle stands out with its khaki green tones. This special rendition of the DEFY 21 is made for those who see the sprawling metropolis as their playground; where a horizon of towering concrete, steel and glass opens up a world where every day is an adventure full of dreams and infinite possibilities. Audacious yet subtle, the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle deftly blends into its surroundings.

BULGARI: OCTO ROMA CARILLON TOURBILLON

Bulgari used Watch Week to proudly present its new "Masterpiece of Sound" dubbed the Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon.

Designed to raise the level of sensorial expression through sound, the timepiece features a three-hammer chime combined with a tourbillon regulator. This is an artful Italian interpretation of Swiss watchmaking expertise that comes to life in its innovative materials and audacious design. 

The movement of the watch is equipped with two barrels: one ensures the functioning of the sound mechanism and winds automatically when the bell is triggered, while the other guarantees a power reserve of at least 75 hours at full charge.

The architecture of the Caliber BVL428 was designed to reveal the beauty of the mechanism. The hammers, gongs, Tourbillon cage and perforated surfaces are crafted in alternating polished steels, while the finely-wrought mainplate and bridges have been treated with PVD. Limited to 15 pieces.

BULGARI: SERPENTI SPIGA

With the introduction of Serpenti Spiga, the iconic Serpenti model is reinvented anew for 2021 in the form of a stunning trio.

A symbol of perpetual renewal, Serpenti, the captivating snake, is one of Bulgari’s most enduring motifs, and represents the ultimate synthesis of jewellery craftsmanship.

The first of the three is the 103250 model, featuring a 18kt rose gold 35mm Serpenti case and bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds, 18kt rose gold crown set with a single cabochon-cut rubellite, white mother-of-pearl dial, and an 18kt rose gold bracelet partially set with diamonds for a total of 281 brilliant-cut diamonds (1,86 cts). 

The second, the 103252, ups the ante even further. With the same case, bezel and crown as the previous model, this variant features a black lacquered dial and a two-row 18kt rose gold bracelet partially set with diamonds for a total of 461 brilliant-cut diamonds (2,83 cts). 

And finally we have the 103251, with an 18kt white gold 35mm High-Jewellery Serpenti case and bezel set with 205 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.99 cts), along with an 18kt white gold crown set with a single cabochon-cut blue sapphire and a dial decorated with 257 snow pavé-set diamonds (0,72 ct). 

The two-row 18kt white gold bracelet, meanwhile, is set with 425 brilliant-cut diamonds (17,04 cts).