Bulgari has refreshed its jewelry-inspired Lucea collection with two models that reflect one of the strongest trends in luxury watches: mineral dials. The first one is malachite, which is usually used in thin slices for dials, but in an unusual twist, Bulgari creates a marquetry composition made of malachite inlay. The malachite pieces used are upcycled; they are salvaged fragments left over from the making of other watches in the manufacture, which makes them “green” in more ways than one. The varying patterns from the matrix in the stone make for a fascinating pattern. The dial is set with 12 diamond hour markers and the bezel is adorned with 56 diamonds.
The second new Lucea has a dial composed of inlaid pieces of mother-of-pearl that are carefully cut in ray-shaped pieces and placeds so they’re fanned out to create a 3D sunburst or pleated pattern. The mother-of-pearl is either white or green-tinted, and the hour markers and bezels are also set with diamonds. The crown is made of a V-shaped metal base and set with a cabochon-cut synthetic sapphire and a diamond.
Both new models have redesigned cases with slimmer bezels and redesigned bracelets, with V-links that have been softened and rounded. Models come in steel or gold, or both for a two-tone look. There are two sizes: a 33mm wide x 9.16mm thick case with an automatic movement; or a 28mm wide x 7.72mm thick case with a quartz movement. All are water resistant to 50 meters.
The new models mark the tenth anniversary of the launch of Lucea, which was introduced in 2014 as a jewelry-like model best described as an upgraded day watch. It takes its name from the word for “light” in Italian, and its signature element is a faceted dial that is designed in some way to reflect light and create sparkle. Most models also have diamond accents.