Created by Bulgari circa the 2000s, this remarkable Serpenti Scaglie wristwatch is fashioned entirely in 18k white gold and set with approximately 5 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. Its flexible bracelet is composed of individually articulated, overlapping links, each pavé-set with diamonds and bordered by polished gold. The graduated scales follow the natural curvature of the wrist, giving the substantial jewel a fluidity that contrasts beautifully with the precision of its construction.
The serpent's head conceals a distinctive, elongated watch dial, its tapered silhouette framed in polished white gold. A surface of closely set diamonds surrounds the slender blue hands, with the Bulgari signature positioned discreetly beneath them. The geometric lines of the case provide a striking counterpoint to the softly rounded scales, while the uninterrupted use of diamonds creates a continuous play of light across the entire composition.
The serpent has been one of Bulgari's most enduring emblems since the introduction of its celebrated snake-inspired watches in the 1940s. Over successive decades, the house transformed the motif from the sleek coils of its early Tubogas designs into increasingly naturalistic interpretations of the creature's anatomy. The Scaglie collection, taking its name from the Italian word for scales, represents a particularly sophisticated exploration of this tradition, translating the serpent's skin into a series of precisely engineered, articulated gold elements.
The reverse of the bracelet reveals the intricacy of its construction, with each scale individually connected to allow the jewel to move comfortably around the wrist. Weighing approximately 78 grams and measuring 6 inches in interior circumference, the watch possesses the substance of an important high-jewelry creation while retaining the flexibility and intimacy of a bracelet.
