High Jewellery

Bulgari’s 2024 Aeterna collection is a dazzling love letter to the eternal city

Each piece in Bulgari’s 2024 Aeterna collection traces its roots all the way back to the brand’s birthplace. For its 140th anniversary, this latest set of coloured gemstones honors the Eternal City herself, fittingly introduced at Rome’s Terme di Diocleziano earlier this May. With it comes expressions that embrace the intricacies of its past while celebrating the complexities of its present.

The collection is composed of pieces that exude a sense of eternity in their shapes and forms. “Fuochi D’Artificio”, for instance, had been inspired by the fireworks that burn during Italian summer nights. The variety of pear-shaped gemstones were carefully placed in each corner to recreate the explosion of colour.

At the heart of the signature piece is the Piccolissimo mechanical micro round movement, one of the smallest watch dials around. This would then be paired with a a semi rigid cuff in rose gold and blue titanium; which allows for quite the effect: it elevates the colours by contrasting them with the dark onyx in the base. Such detail was said to have taken 1,450 hours to complete.

Besides the touches of Roman heritage throughout the series, it draws inspiration from mythological animals. This craftsmanship especially shines through in “Animali Fantastici.”

For the iconic Phoenix, Bulgari selected over 160 carats of strikingly beautiful stones, including blue, pink and purple sapphires, amethysts, rubies, pink garnets, tanzanites, iolites, aquamarines and diamonds. The wonderful mix of gemstones produce an incredible degradé effect.

Meanwhile, behind the rare central 9.78 carats Paraiba tourmaline lies a secret watch dial. It’s a piece of horological ingenuity that utilises an ultra-thin manual winding mechanical movement with a flying tourbillon.

The serpent, on the other hand, transforms into a majestic dragon. This is yet another mythological creature that has been a constant source of inspiration for Bulgari.

In the case of the “Serpenti Misteriosi Dragone,” this bold piece is embellished with over 32 carats of meticulously selected stones. The dragon’s head, is tucked away in the Piccolissimo dial movement, as well, almost as a surprise to the wearer. This is only complemented by a wave of splendid baguette-cut diamonds.

In the end, it’s a collection of spellbinding jewels that honors Bulgari’s commitment to perpetual reinvention.

Visit Bulgari for more information.

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