Dubai Watch Week 2023: Bulgari Divas’ Dream Peacock – Exceptionalism, Marquetry, and Grace

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The iridescence and technical mastery of the animal kingdom have always been watchmaking’s greatest muse. Right from endangered species of the mighty oceans, roaring titans of jungles, to aerial apexes from the skies above, they’ve certainly left their footprint (or well, paw-prints or tracks) in their hearts of luxury timekeeping maisons – be it with their elegance or ferocity. As artisans translate these animalistic sensibilities into fine watchmaking feats, they also become official mascots for brands and their creations. While Bulgari’s hypnotic Serpenti coils as a symbol of feminine boldness and metamorphosis, their Divas’ Dream line takes after a bird with unmatched radiance and kaleidoscopic magnificence – the peacock. More so, embracing its Italian roots in Roman mythology, the peacock is revered as the sacred companion of Juno – queen of the Roman pantheon of Gods and patron Goddess of Rome, Italy – Bulgari’s heartland.

At Dubai Watch Week 2023, Bulgari reinterpreted this icon unlike ever before. The new Divas’ Dream Peacock Marquetry Collection incorporate new materials into its already stunning slew of luxe ingredients – this includes feathers, mother-of-pearl, and precious gems and stones, which recreate the radiance of the peacock’s plumage with the delicate art of marquetry.

Divas’ Dream Peacock Marquetry Jumping Hours and Retrograde Minutes

If you’re wondering what a peacock would look like if its feathers were made of diamonds and emeralds, here you go. Emulating the bird’s silhouette, a series of overlapping fan-shaped feathers alternatively enriched with green malachite, blue Murano aventurine, and snow-set diamonds grace its dial. Given the degree of three-dimensional marquetry, there’s a sapphire dome to protect it. There’s also a tsavorite cabochon gracing the crown. Indicating time, there’s a jumping hours window just under noon and a tiny gold, sapphire-crystal fan-shaped indicator for minutes. All of this rests against a sparkling blue aventurine background. Cased in 37-mm Rose Gold, the bezel and Divas’ Dream signature fan-shaped lugs are set with brilliant cut diamonds. Inside rests a BVL 262 automatic calibre providing a 42-hour power reserve.

Divas’ Dream Peacock Marquetry Dischi

Bulgari designed this piece with the peacock’s delicate yet vivid eye in mind, using natural feathers in an elaborate inlay technique of feather marquetry. The art of decorative marquetry dates back to 350 BC and was highly popular in Renaissance Italy. Right since 1970, Bulgari has utilized this method in their crafts, exuding natural elegance with nature’s own ingredients. The feathers are trimmed, glued, cut and delicately stitched together, creating a complex mosaic visual. Mesmerized by its natural beauty, Bulgari decided its view must be unobstructed – swapping out its hands and using a dual disc system. The hour markers consist of two large brilliant-cut diamonds. This animation is powered by Bulgari’s manufacture BVL 308 automatic calibre, which delivers a 42-hour power reserve. This resides inside the 37-mm 18-carat Rose Gold case with its bezel set with diamonds and blue sapphires – complimenting this is a cabochon-cut sapphire on its crown. The lugs, once again, are set in brilliant-cut diamonds.

Divas’ Dream Peacock Diamonds

Embracing the peacock in its complete kaleidoscopic elegance and grandeur, this magnificent dial boasts not two, not four, but fourteen unique shades of blue and green enamel. Contrasted against a mother-of-pearl backdrop sparkling with Rose Gold diamond-studded stars, the peacock’s swirling body is crafted using champlevé enamel. This process involved creating designated microcompartments and enriching it with blue/green enamel or diamonds. What also sets this piece apart from the rest in the collection, is that the Rose Gold bracelet also boasts the same fan-shaped links, adorned with diamonds. The 37-mm Rose Gold case, bezel, dial, and bracelet, tally a sparkly total of 1,452 diamonds with a cabochon-cut tourmaline on its crown. The BVL 191 calibre inside provides a 42-hour power reserve.

Divas Dream Peacock Feather

Slating in with a smaller dimension of 33 mm, its Rose Gold case is set with 76 brilliant-cut diamonds and powered by a quartz movement. We see the feather marquetry once again with its dial made from twelve vibrant shades of natural peacock feathers. These ‘hairs’, are acquired cruelty-free and are shed by the bird and collected. After careful examination, quality, and defect checks, the best feathers are passed through an antique brass steam machine, which brings out its natural lustre before proceeding for trimming and placement.

Divas Dream Mother-Of-Pearl Marquetry

Finally, we arrive at the Mother-of-Pearl Marquetry piece – a toned-down, smaller alternative to the Peacock Diamonds edition. Set against a mother-of-pearl background, the peacock’s body silhouette comprises a series of Rose Gold fan-shaped compartments, filled with blue mother-of-pearl. The hour indexes are replaced by six brilliant-cut diamonds. The bezel and lugs are set with 48 and 28 brilliant-cut diamonds respectively, while the crown boasts a pink rubellite cabochon crown Inside rests a quartz movement. Strap options include green and blue leather, both flex a diamond-set rose gold buckle.