Bulgari Serpenti: The timeless icon of the house
Serpenti: Bulgari's eternal icon
Founded in Rome in 1884 by the Greek master goldsmith Sotirios Voulgaris , Bulgari established itself at the beginning of the 20th century with its audacity , vibrant colors , and aesthetic inspired by Roman Antiquity , the Italian Renaissance , and Art Deco . Among its most iconic creations, the Serpenti collection alone embodies the spirit of Bulgari : sensual , architectural, and mythological .
The origins and evolution of the Serpenti watch
The birth of the Serpenti watch in 1948
The first Serpenti model was created in 1948 : a yellow gold wristwatch featuring the famous " Tubogas " system, a seamless manufacturing technique inspired by gas pipes, which gives the timepiece remarkable flexibility and a coiled, serpentine shape. The watch case, concealed within the serpent's head, was a true feat of jewelry and watchmaking .
The expansion of forms in the 1950s-1960s
In the 1950s and 60s , the Serpenti bracelet took off, evolving into a bracelet , necklace , or belt , often crafted from enameled gold and set with precious stones and ruby or emerald eyes. In 1962 , the Serpenti bracelet truly entered into legend when Elizabeth Taylor wore it on the set of Cleopatra in Rome . Her image, captured behind the scenes, propelled the collection to the status of a Hollywood myth .
The Serpenti's Heritage and Modernity
Record sale and exceptional pieces
In 2011 , at the famous auction of Elizabeth Taylor 's jewelry at Christie's in New York , one of her Serpenti watches sold for $974,500 , a record price confirming the iconic status of the piece.
To mark its 130th anniversary in 2014 , Bulgari unveiled an exceptional Serpenti necklace in white gold , entirely paved with diamonds , whose tail ends with a sumptuous 12-carat pear-shaped diamond , affirming once again the virtuosity of its workshops.
Symbol and renewal
A symbol of wisdom , metamorphosis , and seduction since antiquity , the serpent embodies the DNA of Bulgari . Over the decades, the collection has constantly reinvented itself: from minimalist versions and high jewelry pieces to Serpenti Forever bags and accessories , culminating in the high-tech watches of the Serpenti Seduttori line launched in 2019.
Combining Italian craftsmanship and Roman audacity , Serpenti remains today the living icon of the House of Bulgari , a perfect fusion of ancient heritage , modernity and eternal power of fascination .
