A Bold Collaboration That Redefines Watchmaking with Innovation, Craftsmanship, and the Spirit of Transformation
BVLGARI and MB&F A Union of Mastery and Vision
At first glance, BVLGARI and MB&F may seem worlds apart, one rooted in luxury jewelry and the other in avant-garde horology. Yet, their shared passion for craftsmanship and boundary-pushing innovation has given birth to a timepiece that challenges conventional watchmaking. The BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti is a stunning tribute to both brands’ expertise, blending Italian elegance with Swiss mechanical ingenuity.
Founded in 1884, BVLGARI is synonymous with artistic excellence, known for iconic collections like Serpenti, Octo Finissimo, and BVLGARI BVLGARI. MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends), established in 2005, has revolutionized watchmaking with its three-dimensional kinetic sculptures inspired by science fiction, supercars, and nature.
A Visionary Collaboration for the Year of the Snake
Jean-Christophe Babin, BVLGARI Group CEO, explains the philosophy behind this groundbreaking partnership:
“Watchmaking is about innovation and desirability blending exceptional micromechanical expertise with timeless design. Brands must constantly push boundaries and innovate outside the box. Our collaboration with Max Büsser]stems from a shared passion for progress, beauty, and strategic thinking. From launching Geneva Watch Days to creating our first co-designed timepiece in 2021, our partnership continues to thrive. The BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti is a testament to this synergy a true collector’s masterpiece, celebrating the Year of the Snake with an unparalleled genderless design.”
The Evolution of an Icon: From Legacy Machines to Serpenti
In 2021, BVLGARI and MB&F introduced their first joint creation the MB&F x BVLGARI LM FlyingT Allegra, which merged BVLGARI’s signature colorful gemstones with MB&F’s visionary watchmaking. The collaboration was a resounding success, leading to a natural question: what next?
The answer lay in BVLGARI’s most legendary icon the Serpenti, first introduced in 1948. Reinterpreting this symbol of transformation and eternity within MB&F’s high-mechanical universe required a complete reengineering of its movement and case design, blending the DNA of both brands into an extraordinary horological sculpture.
Design Mastery: A New Serpenti Comes to Life
Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, BVLGARI’s Director of Watch Design, reflects on the intensive design process:
“Designing the BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti was a pleasure, yet immensely complex. Unlike a classic round case, this piece had to be visually striking from every angle front, side, top, and back. Every curve and dimension had to be perfected through hundreds of sketches and numerous 3D-printed prototypes.”
Achieving this level of aesthetic balance and mechanical precision resulted in a timepiece that embodies both artistry and engineering. The organic form of the Serpenti merges seamlessly with MB&F’s signature kinetic sculptures, bringing the snake’s mystical aura to life.
Engineering the Impossible: Crafting the BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti
The case construction posed a formidable challenge. Unlike traditional watchmaking, where angular surfaces are easier to produce, the Serpenti’s fluid curves** required five-axis 3D milling and extensive machining. Further complications arose with the five sapphire crystals, including the snake’s mesmerizing eyes, which had to be anti-reflective on both sides while ensuring 30-meter water resistance.
Maximilian Büsser highlights the technical hurdles:
“At MB&F, we specialize in kinetic sculptures that tell time, but the Serpenti’s biomorphic design pushed our expertise to the limit. The case was incredibly difficult to engineer, and the movement had to adapt to its unique form. The snake’s eyes its domed hour and minute indicators—posed an unprecedented challenge in watchmaking.”
A Movement Like No Other: Breathing Life Into the Serpenti
To bring the Serpenti to mechanical life, MB&F developed a revolutionary movement featuring rotating hour and minute domes, mimicking the snake’s hypnotic gaze. Crafted from ultra-thin aluminum, these domes are hand-coated with Super-LumiNova, glowing in the dark like the eyes of a real serpent.
At the heart of the timepiece lies an oversized 14mm flying balance wheel, symbolizing the snake’s brain and rhythmically regulating its motion. The watch’s hand-wound movement, featuring 310 components, is hand-finished in MB&F’s signature artisanal style an approach possible only due to its limited annual production of under 400 watches.
Automotive Inspiration: A Subtle Nod to High-Performance Engineering
Though unplanned, the BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti exudes design influences from the automotive world. Both Fabrizio and Max share a deep passion for cars, which naturally seeped into this creation. The case design mirrors sleek sports car bodywork, while the stepped sapphire crystal resembles the aerodynamic flaps on a high-performance vehicle. Even the crown resembles miniature wheels, further emphasizing the dynamic, avant-garde nature of the watch.
Three Exclusive Limited Editions
The BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti is available in three striking variations, each limited to only 33 pieces:
– Titanium case with blue hour and minute domes
– 18K rose gold case with vivid green domes
– Black PVD-coated stainless steel with piercing red domes
Stacked from 20 images. Method=B (R=7,S=4)
Buonamassa Stigliani concludes:
“The Serpenti is a timeless symbol, and this collaboration has redefined it for a new audience. This timepiece speaks not only to BVLGARI’s heritage but also to MB&F’s daring innovation. It is a technical masterpiece that blends high jewelry with avant-garde watchmaking, making it a must-have for collectors.”
A New Chapter in Watchmaking Excellence
The BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti represents the boldest fusion of high jewelry craftsmanship and independent horology. A true collector’s piece, this watch transcends gender and tradition, proving that the greatest innovations arise when two worlds collide in pursuit of a shared vision.
With its unparalleled design, mechanical ingenuity, and symbolic significance, the Serpenti by BVLGARI and MB&F is more than just a timepiece, it is a mesmerizing work of art that redefines the boundaries of horology.
MB&F https://www.mbandf.com/machines/mbf-machines/performance-art/bvlgari-x-mbf-serpenti