BULGARI
The history of BULGARI
Bulgari is one of the most prestigious luxury goods makers in the world. Bulgari has been making high-end jewelry and watches since 1884, and has since grown to include fragrances, silk scarves, and eyewear.
Bulgari's journey began in 1884 in Italy, when a Greek immigrant named Sotirio Bulgari founded his first shop on Via Sistina in Rome. Sotirio came from a long line of silversmiths. In 1905, he opened a second business on Via Condotti with the aid of his two sons, Costantino and Giorgio. The aristocratic, the wealthy, and the famous came to the store for one-of-a-kind, high-quality jewelry creations that combined Greek and Roman arts. The two brothers had a keen interest in precious stones and gems throughout the early decades of the twentieth century, eventually becoming the best practitioners in the field. Giorgio spent his entire life attempting to create a "Bulgari style." Costantino published "Argentieri, Gemmari et Orafi d'Italia," a work that became the most authoritative and serious reference on Roman silver.
Bulgari debuted their first timepiece, the snake-watch, in the 1940s, which was inspired by the Art Deco period of the 1920s. With dramatic coils of gem studded gold, it was one-of-a-kind and opulent. Bulgari's snake-watch immediately established itself as a distinguishing feature of jewel-watches.
Bulgari's clients in the 1960s included Italian royalty, South American politician Evita Peron, American businesspeople such as Nelson Rockefeller and Woolworth's founder Samuel Henry Kress, and the United States Ambassador to Italy Clare Boothe Luce. Bulgari built its first worldwide store in New York in the 1970s, followed by locations in Paris, Geneva, and Monte Carlo. Bulgari reintroduced the snake-watch with the "Tubogas," a handcrafted flexible elastic gold bracelet.
Bulgari did not release a substantial collection of its timepieces until the late 1970s, despite the fact that the business had manufactured and marketed pocket, lapel, and wrist watches for men and women throughout its existence. The Bulgari Bulgari, with a double engraved emblem on the ideal cylindrical portion, was introduced in 1977 and quickly became the company's most well-known and best-selling watch. Bulgari remained at the top of the jewelry industry in the 1980s, growing its presence globally by building stores in Munich, London, Milan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo.
The majority of Bulgari watches have over 200 components, some of which are as little as 0.03mm, necessitating the master watchmaker's expert knowledge and talents. Bulgari is one of the few watchmakers capable of producing clocks with extremely complex mechanisms. Bulgari watches are handcrafted in the heart of Switzerland's "watch valley" and put through rigorous testing to ensure that their movements meet the highest quality requirements. Bulgari's strategy of constant pursuit of perfection, technological advancement, spiritual beauty, and unique style has helped the business become one of the world's finest and best-selling watchmakers.