Bulgari – Tourbillon Central Papillon & Papillon Heure Sautante
Bulgari presents two new interpretations of Papillon, a patented unique and exclusive haute horlogerie mechanism. Its new haute horlogerie creations, the Tourbillon Central Papillon and the Papillon Heure Sautante, offer a unique way of telling the time.
Following on from other interpretations intended for travellers (Bulgari Papillon Voyageur) or for the chronographic measuring of time (Bulgari Papillon Chronograph), Bulgari has reinterpreted its ingenious patented Papillon system providing an original and accurate display of timekeeping information.
Inspired by the flight of the butterfly, this original mechanism is unique in the world of Haute Horlogerie and bears two independent, retractable, diamond-shaped hands on a supporting disc. Each one alternately sweeps over a graduated minutes scale spread over a 180-degree half circle. The minutes are successively indicated by each of the two hands. The first is positioned on the segment and thus signals the progression of the minutes, while the second one remains ‘off-duty’ in fall-back position and thus invisible throughout the rotation of the disc bearing them.
When the first hand reaches the 55th minute on the display segment, the other hand progressively completes a quarter turn to move into a position parallel to the first one on the 00 minutes marker. The first hand then moves into its fall-back position for the following 55 minutes.
The Papillon system has the advantage of using less power in comparison with the classic minutes indicator and therefore has a positive impact on the power reserve. This patented, complex, exclusive mechanism can naturally be combined with a variety of information and functions.
Bulgari Papillon Heure Sautante
In the case of the simplest display of time, Bulgari Papillon Heure Sautante displays the jumping hour, indicates the minutes via the Papillon device, and shows the seconds by the central hand.
The entire mechanism is powered by a mechanical self-winding Manufacture movement, Calibre BVL 252, entirely designed and assembled in line with the finest traditions by master watchmakers from Bulgari Manufacture. It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve. This movement is decorated with great care and elegance with alternate circular graining and Côtes de Genève motif.
The steel elements that are visible are satin-brushed, polished and bevelled, as are the screw heads. The 18ct white or rose gold case, with its elegant 45 mm diameter, suggests a certain degree of power while measuring just 11.30 mm thick. Beauty of the finishes and the precision of the movement in motion can be admired by the user thanks to its sapphire crystal case-back.
Technical details
Model: Bulgari Papillon Heure Sautante
Movement
Bidirectional mechanical self-winding Manufacture movement, Calibre BVL 252
Minutes indicated by Papillon device
Jumping hours by disc on ceramic ball bearings
28,800 vph (4Hz)
42-hour power reserve
Case
45mm-diameter case in 18ct pink or white gold
Box-type sapphire crystal
Transparent sapphire back
Water-resistant to 50m
Dial
Black dial, “papillon” hands in 18ct pink gold
Strap
Brown alligator leather strap with 18ct pink gold pin buckle for the pink gold version
Black alligator leather strap with 18ct white gold pin buckle for the white gold version
Bulgari Papillon Tourbillon Central
For Tourbillon Central Papillon, Maison has decided to push its quest for complexity by combining its Papillon brevet with the most prestigious of watchmaking complications.
In a manner combining elegance and sophistication, the new Bulgari Papillon Tourbillon Central incorporates this high-precision movement into the very heart of the watch with the jumping hour display indicated by a disc rotating past a 12 o’clock aperture.
At the end of the 60 minutes indicated by one of the “Papillon” hands, the disc jumps and displays the new hour in the window.
With the Papillon Tourbillon Central watch, the Bulgari watchmaking Manufacture places the tourbillon movement in the very centre of the case of this precious, unique timepiece available in pink gold or platinum.
The entire composition stands out by its clean lines, symmetrical axes and the architectural precision of the dial.
Technical details
Model: Bulgari Papillon Tourbillon Central
Movement
Hand-wound Manufacture movement, central flying tourbillon Calibre BVL 266
Minutes indication by patented Papillon device
Jumping hours by disc display on ceramic ball bearings
21,600 vph (3Hz), 30 jewels
60-hour power reserve
Decorated by hand with circular graining, gold engravings, sunburst cloisonné motif and straight graining
Case
45mm-diameter, 11.9 mm thick case in 18ct pink gold or 950 platinum
Box-type sapphire crystal
Transparent sapphire case-back
18ct pink gold crown with black sapphire inlay, engraved with an individual number water-resistant to 50m
Dial
Black lacquered dial revealing the tourbillon carriage and the Papillon system; “papillon” hands in 18ctwhite or pink gold.
Strap
Brown (for the pink gold version) or black (for the platinum version) alligator leather strap with 18ct pink gold double-blade folding clasp
Limited Edition
10-piece limited series for the platinum version and 30-piece limited series for the pink gold version.
