Introducing Bvlgari & MB&F Reimagine the Iconic Serpenti

Collaborations in watchmaking often bring together the creativity of a brand and its chosen partner, whether they be artists, athletes, or designers. However, it’s far rarer to see two well-known watchmaking powerhouses join forces. The partnership between Bvlgari and MB&F is a fascinating case, as both brands serve as creative forces in the industry with anything they put their hands on.

If you’ve somehow missed their impact, don’t expect a long historical deep dive, because neither brand needs one. Some watchmakers are defined by their legacy, but others carve their place in time through their bold designs that have not been seen before. Bvlgari and MB&F fall squarely into the latter category, their craftsmanship speaking for itself. To truly grasp their vision, look no further than our exclusive interview with Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari, and our conversation with Maximilian Büsser, the mastermind behind MB&F as both shared amazing insights on what to come.

Their latest collaboration, the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti, follows their 2021 partnership, which resulted in the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra launched at Dubai Watch Week. This time, the two brands reinterpret Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti through the mechanical artistry of MB&F’s horological machines, merging biomorphic design with high-complication watchmaking in a way that only they can.

The watch features an intricate, curved design that posed significant challenges in manufacturing. Its shape varies radically depending on whether you admire it from the front, side, top, or back, all views are equally satisfying. The complex curves extend beyond the metal of the case to the five sapphire crystals, including the snake’s eyes and the multi-faceted rear section, limiting the watch to a water resistance of only 30 meters. The case measures 53mm by 39mm with an 18mm thickness and is available in three variations: grade 5 titanium with blue domes, black PVD-coated stainless steel with red domes, and 18K rose gold with green domes. Each case integrates five sapphire crystals with an anti-reflective coating, including the snake’s eye-like domes and two front sections, with the caseback offering a detailed view of the movement.

Instead of a traditional dial, the watch features two revolving domes for time display, one for the hours (left eye) and another for the minutes (right eye). These domes are crafted from ultra-thin aluminum to reduce weight, and coated in Super-LumiNova, giving them a striking, luminous effect in low light.

At the heart of the Serpenti is an in-house, manual-winding MB&F movement. The standout feature is the 14mm flying balance wheel, suspended above the domed dials. The movement operates at a frequency of 18,000 vph (2.5Hz) and provides a power reserve of 45 hours. The back of the watch houses a power reserve indicator, visible through the sapphire crystal.

Each version of the Serpenti is paired with a hand-stitched rubber strap that complements the case color: blue for titanium, black for the PVD-coated steel, and green for the rose gold. The straps feature a Velcro fastening system for a secure and comfortable fit, and each has an ardillon buckle in a matching material. 

The Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti is limited to 33 pieces available in each of the three variations. The price is AED 569,000 for the titanium and steel versions, while the gold version is priced at AED 655,000.

For more information, you can visit both Bvlgari’s and MB&F’s official websites.