HANDS-ON: The Bulgari x Ducati Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition
Fergus NashWatch brands collaborating with motoring manufacturers is nothing new, and there’s some lofty competition out there – 2020 even saw the release of a million-dollar Bugatti tie-in from Jacob & Co, so what could possibly top that? Well, two Italian icons of design and engineering have teamed up to bring the Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition to market, sharing their respective passions for high-performance products and effortless style. Ducati have been around since 1926, originally making electronics and radio equipment, before establishing themselves at the pinnacle of motorbike production. It’s fitting then that their partnership lies with Bulgari, the famed jewellers who have also evolved into top-tier watchmaking.
The case
If you’re unfamiliar with the case of the Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph, it’s fast on its way to becoming a modern classic of luxury sports watches. While it may not attract the same amount of attention and adoration as the Octo Finissimo, there’s still quite a lot of innovation going on. The case is mainly hewn from aluminium then sandblasted to a grained matte finish that helps protect it from scratches as well as industrialising the look. The black caseback, crown and pushers are all made of a PVD-coated titanium, and the eye-catching black bezel is made of a sleek rubber engraved with the Bulgari name. With the Bulgari logos also appearing on the first links of the rubber bracelet, there’s no shortage of branding, although you’ll actually be surprised at how well they blend into the watch and don’t appear too gratuitous.
The comfort of the watch is almost unparalleled, with a 40mm diameter and 48mm lug-to-lug that remains wrist-friendly across a diverse range of sizes, and the 11mm thickness ensuring no unnecessary bulk. The unique system of using stiff rubber links in place of a steel bracelet or an entirely-flexible strap helps to grip the watch to your wrist without getting too sweaty or tight when things heat up, and also doesn’t require adjustment with the seasons. The whole watch is also 100m water resistant, making it perfect for the racetrack or the pool.
The dial
Regardless whether or not you’re a fan of Ducati, or even into motorbikes at all, the dial of the Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition hits upon a very specific nostalgic look with an old-school motorsport feel. The Ducati red colour alongside the black subdials and hour markers is a daring statement of sportiness that seems to harken back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Ducati dominated the Superbike World Championship. The numerals between 10-12 as well as on the subdials are slanted like they are on modern Ducati instrument clusters, giving the impression of speed even at a standstill.
There’s definitely a lot of niche appeal to this watch, and a lot of elements that will cause division amongst enthusiasts. A common pet peeve would be the date window placed at 4:30 with a white background that doesn’t match the dial, however it doesn’t stick out too much at a glance while still remaining easily legible when needed. The whole dial has a slight air of chaotic complexity that almost feels like you’re surrounded by the smell of burning fuel.
The movement
The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition uses their calibre BVL 130 which has served the brand well in a number of their slim automatic chronographs. Based upon the ETA 2894, the mainplate and the winding rotor have undergone some impressive decoration, while the movement itself offers 28,800 vibrations per hour for around 42 hours. Although it may be a shame there’s no display window to view the movement, the Ducati logo engraved into the caseback connects the watch directly to the brand as well as showing off the limited edition status of 1000 pieces. There also appears to be a QR code etched above the Bulgari logo, but there’s no information on where that will take you yet.
The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition pricing and availability:
The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Price: $7,350 AUD / $5,000 USD
| Case Material | Aluminium / Titanium / Rubber |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 48mm x 11mm |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Ducati Red |
| Straps | Black rubber |
| Movement | BVL 130 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date |
| Price | $7,350 AUD / $5,000 USD |