Bulgari Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold 7-Coil Serpenti Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:349 g
- Style:
- Place of Origin:Italy
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000-s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Serpenti Watch
While the BVLGARI Serpenti watch technically arrived first, it was a decorative bracelet from the Italian luxury jewelry house’s signature line that made a notable impact, thanks to a little help from Hollywood.
In 1962, the brand garnered international attention after its now-legendary serpent motif made its way into a photograph taken on the set of the star-studded historical epic Cleopatra. A BVLGARI Serpenti bracelet — with its stunning snake head encrusted with diamonds — was wrapped around the wrist of the film’s star, Elizabeth Taylor, and the already desirable design was suddenly splashed across the pages of the tabloids, particularly as news of the actress’s romantic affair with Richard Burton made the rounds. The serpent motif had by then been around for nearly 15 years, as Giorgio and Constantino Voulgaris — the sons of BVLGARI founder Sotirios Voulgaris who’d taken over the business when their father passed away in 1932 — introduced a wristwatch with a case that resembled the head of a snake in the 1940s.
Elegant and artful, BVLGARI’s snake motif began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. And fittingly, serpents have long been symbolic of time — of eternity and renewal. Credit for decades of demand for jewelry adorned with reptiles can be attributed to Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). When Taylor’s Serpenti bracelet appeared, the attention had artisans at BVLGARI exploring variations on the house’s popular theme, but the original snake, in 1948, was characterized by a golden yellow body, its tail and head encrusted with diamonds.
The debut of the inaugural Serpenti watch coincided with BVLGARI’s adoption of the Tubogas, or gas-pipe, goldsmithing technique, in which bands of gold are wrapped around a steel core without soldering, bringing the flexible braided bracelet to fruition. The design was quintessentially BVLGARI: bold, colorful and eye-catching. The snake was more abstract in appearance back then; over the years, the timepiece has assumed more of its namesake’s tangible physical features. Variations were introduced that had the face obscured by a hinged cover, which better emulated a snake’s head, and today, watches featuring the snake motif are available in a wide range of different styles, including bands dotted with hexagonal patterns inspired by snake scales and more.
Today Serpenti is one of BVLGARI’s most popular collections.
Bvlgari
Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (eventually spelled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, BVLGARI has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, BVLGARI’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932. The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, BVLGARI debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the BVLGARI brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage BVLGARI jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Bulgari Serpenti Diamond Emerald 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet WatchBy BvlgariLocated in New York, NYThis bracelet-watch is a true embodiment of sophistication and craftsmanship, a testament to Bulgari's unparalleled design excellence. Adorned with emeralds of exceptional clarity and a vivid green hue, this timepiece is a dazzling showcase of nature's beauty. White diamonds grace the snake's head and body, casting a brilliant sparkle with every glance. Meticulously crafted from 18k yellow gold, with a weight of approximately 239 grams, it exudes opulence and promises enduring quality. This piece is not just a watch; it's a work of art. Featuring a total carat weight of approximately 3.50 carats, the diamonds elevate the emeralds, creating a harmonious fusion of color and brilliance. The serpent's eyes are crafted from malachite, adding a unique touch of charm. This Bulgari Serpenti Emerald...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Bulgari Parentesi 18k Gold WatchBy BvlgariLocated in New York, NYIn Bulgari's rich history of fine jewelry, luxury timepieces have consistently captured timeless moments, blending classic elegance with daring innovation. The Bulgari Parentesi Vint...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold
- Diamond Gold Coil BraceletLocated in New York, NYA classy bracelet comprising of 42 diamonds weighing a total of 3.78 carats, each diamond is approximately 0.09 carat. Diamonds are all natural with H-I color, VS-SI clarity. Coil de...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Harry Winston Diamond Gold WatchBy Harry WinstonLocated in New York, NYAmerican jeweler, Harry Winston (1896-1978) has been known throughout the industry as the “King of Diamonds,” a moniker which Cosmopolitan magazine bestowed him in 1947, and for good...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Salavetti Diamond Gold Coil BangleBy SalavettiLocated in New York, NYThis minimalist Salavetti Diamond Coil Bangle, made in Italy in the Contemporary era, circa 2010s, is a piece reduced to its essence, and as such is utterly stylish, sexy, and versat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Bulgari Diamond Serpenti Necklace in 18kt White GoldBy BvlgariLocated in New York, NYIn a tribute to its spirit animal, Bulgari captures the power of seduction in this Serpenti Diamond High Jewelry necklace, camouflaging sensuality and temptation with a hypnotic desi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Bulgari 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tubogas Serpenti Bracelet WatchBy BvlgariLocated in Milano, ITIt doesn't get better than this Bulgari Tubogas lady's snake bracelet watch in 18k yellow gold. This quartz watch has a small round head and black dial. An iconic watch you will wear...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas Diamond WatchBy BvlgariLocated in New York, NYBulgari Diamond And Onyx 'Serpenti' coil Wristwatch in 18k Rose Gold. The watch has a quartz movement. Made in 18k rose gold. Set with 458 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing total...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Rose Gold
- Bvlgari Tubogas Serpenti Ladies WatchBy BvlgariLocated in New York, NYBvlgari "Serpenti " Bracelet/Wristwatch In Coiled Rose Gold and Diamond and MOP 18K., quartz, composed of polished tapered scales accented by round diamonds approximately 2.50 cara...Category
1990s Italian Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Rare Bulgari Yellow Gold Tubogas Serpenti Vintage Automatic Central Dial&PapersBy BvlgariLocated in Milano, ITBulgari Tubogas lady's snake bracelet watch in 18kt yellow gold featuring a stunning and rare central movement watch. This Automatic movement watch...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Bulgari Vintage Serpenti Tubogas Watch Rare rectangular case three goldBy BvlgariLocated in Milano, ITA rare stunning vintage Bulgari Tubogas watch, made of 18k yellow, rose and white gold, circa 1970s. The gold watch features a rectangular case with a black matte dial. The dial equ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
- Bulgari Vintage Serpenti Tubogas Bracelet Watch 18Kt Gold Juvenia Oval DialBy BvlgariLocated in Milano, ITA rare Beautiful Vintage Bulgari Tubogas watch, made of 18k yellow gold, circa 1966. The gold watch features an Oval case with a GoldAged-Champagne matte dial. The dial equipped with...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold