Bvlgari Diagono Calibro 303 fashion chronograph watch

Although clearly being inspired by Hublot’s successful Big Bang series, the new Bvlgari Diagono Calibro 303 Chronograph self-winding watch nevertheless features interesting and fascinating —for a fashion timepiece— design.

The new watch is equipped with Bulgari’s own Caliber BVL 303 automatic movement with column-wheel chronograph complication.

While most second-tier watchmakers tend to outsource their movements from ETA or other third-party manufacturers, Bulgari tries to use its own movements.

This one, for example, is developed and made solely in-house.

Comprising exactly 303 parts, the Caliber BVL 303 is, perhaps, one of the thinnest self-winding chronograph movements out there.

With a diameter of 25.6 mm, it is only 5.5mm thick!

Since the movement is visible through a display back, which is covered with a sapphire crystal, it is painstakingly decorated with such traditional techniques as perlage, satine soleil and the signature Cotes de Geneve stripes.

The case of the time measuring device is made of satin-finished stainless steel and features a fixed 18 kt white gold bezel with the inevitable pair of stamped “BVLGARI” logos and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment.

Measuring 42 millimeters in diameter and almost 13 millimeters in height, the watch looks relatively small compared to the recent flock of “sporty” chronographs that feature gargantuan proportions and look like you can kill an elephant with it.

The Bvlgari Diagono Calibro 303 also sports exquisite multi-layer dial with satine soleil, vertical treatments and faceted hand-applied indexes.

The dial features a standard tri-compax layout with a pair of chronograph counter at 3 and 9 o’clock and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o’clock with a small date aperture cut out in its inner part.

To increase the legibility of the piece, the Italian watchmaker has equipped the small seconds indicator with a high-contrast black hand, while the other five hands are gold-plated.

The hour and minute hands, as well as the applied hour markers (also gold-plated) feature thin stripes of C1 Superluminova, so night-time legibility also not going to be an issue.

Certainly, a watch to have.

Photos: Bulgari

Bvlgari Diagono Calibro 303 fashion chronograph watch specification:

Price range: $10,700
Movement: Caliber BVL 303 automatic movement
Complications: Chronograph, date
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case material: Stainless steel with 18 kt white-gold bezel
Case diameter: 42mm
Case height: 5.5mm
Dial: multi-layer
Water resistance: 100 meters
Crystal: Anti-reflective, scratch resistant, sapphire crystal