6 Fun Facts About Bulgari Serpenti Watches

Many wearers consider Bulgari Serpenti watches as highly prestigious. With their sensual and mysterious design and iconic snake motif, they ensure comfort and usability.

The Bulgari Serpenti has one of the most recognisable designs in the history of jewellery and watchmaking. However, it’s important to know that its popularity didn’t just happen overnight.

Bulgari has had a long and lucrative history. Founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, the brand quickly gained prestige for its distinct aesthetics. With its exquisite high jewellery creations, it gained popularity among Italians, as well as other European aristocrats who came to the city for the traditional Grand Tour.

Not long after, the brand opened its stores along popular streets of Rome, particularly in Via Sistina and Via Condotti. It quickly became synonymous with impeccable Italian craftsmanship and introduced innovative designs. One of these was the now-famous Serpenti motif.

Here are some fun facts regarding the iconic Bulgari Serpenti watch.

1. The Serpenti Is Now More Than 80 Years Old

Like a lady growing old gracefully, the Serpenti has continuously reinvented itself and improved over time. Its origin dates back to the 1940s, right after World War II when the brand launched the flexible Tubogas bracelet.

The first Serpenti models did not include a head or tail but had the same signature coil mechanism for flexibility and comfort. In the 1960s, their design grew more sophisticated. Using enamel and different gems, Bvlgari started creating realistic portrayals of a snake from its head to its scales all the way to its tail.

An ancient symbol of power, rebirth, and elegance, the snake is the brand’s tribute to its Greek and Roman heritage. With expert use of juxtaposing materials and goldsmith techniques, Bulgari’s Serpenti watch became a force to be reckoned with in the jewellery and watchmaking industry.

Eighty years later, the Serpenti is now one of Bulgari’s most recognisable watches.

2. Elizabeth Taylor Helped Make The Bulgari Serpenti Famous

In the 1960s, the demand for the Serpenti line started to peak. But it wasn’t until Elizabeth Taylor wore a Bulgari secret watch to a publicity shoot for her movie Cleopatra in 1962 that it gained international fame. Truth be told, fuelled by the love story between Taylor and her leading man, Richard Burton, the Serpenti’s popularity shot up.

Bulgari was a huge part of the couple’s courtship. An avid patron of the brand, Taylor received several Bulgari jewellery gifts from Burton. In fact, the couple would secretly meet and spend the day at the Bulgari store on Via Condotti, away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

This era also paved the way for the popularity of the Bulgari Serpenti secret watches, which featured iconic snakehead dials. What’s more, the first secret watches featured movements created by Swiss luxury watchmakers.

3. Bulgari Expanded Its Business In 1978

With the popularity of Serpenti secret watches, Bulgari began to expand its watchmaking business. In 1978, the brand established a watch factory in Switzerland thus giving birth to the first Bulgari-branded Serpenti watches.

In the late ’70s, Bulgari also launched another famous watch collection called the Bulgari-Bulgari, which became an instant hit among discerning aficionados. Not long after, the brand began adding the “Bulgari-Bulgari” branding into its Serpenti watches, often crafted in yellow or white gold.

Subsequently, this marked another milestone for the collection. Various celebrities used the watches and they graced every magazine.

4. Each Serpenti Goes Through An Elaborate Process

From realistic portrayals of the serpent to allusions to its sensual shape, the Serpenti design is a testament to Bulgari’s creative ingenuity.

Creating a scale for a Serpenti bracelet is an elaborate process. First, Bulgari’s craftsmen enamel each scale of the Serpenti separately by hand. Next, they subject each enamelled scale to intense heat before finally assembling them into elegant bracelets. Afterward, they etch individual lines on each scale to make it look more realistic.

Creating the signature snake-head dial is another elaborate story. This shape is first stamped into a brass plate. After which, the back is milled to create space for the movement. After the dial is cut out and polished, an elaborate lacquering technique is applied to achieve the vibrant colour of the finishing.

Through the years, the design has been modified to adapt to changing times. Today, the Bulgari Serpenti is more ubiquitous, with more wearable bracelets and watches being produced.

5. The Serpenti Motif Has Found Its Way Onto Bags As Well

In 2012, the Serpenti design made its way onto Bulgari leather goods. The Serpenti luxury bags feature the same elegant appeal with their snake-head clasp, scaly leather, and opulent gold chain.

Now available in different collections  — Serpenti Cabochon, Serpenti Forever, and Serpenti Hypnotic — the Serpenti bag is a favourite luxury accessory. As a matter of fact, celebrities like Julianne Moore and Jennifer Lawrence are known to be huge fans.

Like other Serpenti accessories, said bags come in endless options, too. From clutch to minaudière, they come in all shapes, sizes, and colours.

6. You Can Now Customise Your Bulgari Serpenti Watch

In 2017, Bulgari launched the new customisable Serpenti watch using a mobile app. With customisable case, dial, and strap options, this watch allows women to decide on what their watch should look like.

Offered in a 27mm case, the customisable watch comes in two double-wrap straps in vibrant colours.  Moreover, a total of 312 options are available to choose from. All in all, this makes the Serpenti watch one of the most versatile timepieces in history.

For another interesting read, you may check out our article about Franck Muller and some fun facts about the brand.