Capri, a sun-soaked Italian island that’s world-famous as a summer holiday spot, is a byword for good vibes, good weather and the glamorous lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Iconic Italian luxury brand Bulgari’s latest timepiece pays homage to the glamour of this exclusive locale, with a summery colour scheme that’s more refreshing than a swim in the Mediterranean.
The Bulgari Aluminium, first launched in 1998, has always embodied a sort of elevated playfulness and sportiness. Its unconventional combination of aluminium and rubber as well as its neoclassical, minimalist design just oozes pre-Y2K cool: it’s the sort of watch a billionaire might have worn as they celebrated the new millennium coming in. Probably from a yacht in the Bay of Naples.
Perhaps that’s why, just as Europe heads into summer, Bulgari has decided to give the Bulgari Aluminium a vibey blue update that reflects its character as the ultimate Italian summer watch – and demonstrates that sometimes, all you need is a simple update to radically change the aesthetic of a watch.
The limited edition Bulgari Aluminium Capri Edition (ref. 103815) takes the classic black and white colour scheme of the Aluminium and swaps it out for rich blue shades. Firstly, the black rubber bezel and bracelet of the original have been swapped out for dark blue.
A blue gradient dial – which graduates from light to dark from 12 to 6 o’clock – evokes the refreshing depths of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The watch’s indices are also in dark blue, while the watch’s seconds hand, tipped in yellow, provides a nautical-themed contrast.
Flip the watch over and you’ll find a caseback engraved with the Faraglioni of Capri, the three towering rock formations that have become an iconic emblem of the island’s natural beauty.
For extra sporty appeal, a chronograph variant is also available (ref. 103844), but we prefer the ‘Solotempo’ time and date-only model. The cleaner dial really lets that lovely blue gradient shine… And it’s also far thinner than the chrono, giving it a bit more sprezzatura.
Find out more about the Bulgari Aluminium Capri Edition at Bulgari’s online boutique here. Price: AU$ 4,960 for the Solotempo, AU$ 7,150 for the chronograph.