Bvlgari- The classic icons in contemporary design

The evolution of jewellery dates back to more than 25,000 years ago when jewellery pieces were worn for protection against demons, bad luck, and illnesses. Over time, the purpose of jewellery evolved to symbolise love, wealth, and status. Now, Haute Joaillerie continues to thrive despite financial insecurities and fluctuating global markets in 2022.

From powerhouses like Cartier and Dior to Bvlgari and Piaget, high jewellery has revolutionised luxury into a timeless elegance. In this modern age, we’ve seen the transformation of high jewellery in all forms to reflect the progression of the everyday, modern woman. Gold body chains adorning bare midriffs and layered necklaces to accentuate a pristine décolletage, jewellery has evolved as women have — with nothing but confidence.

The most expensive jewellery in the world is not only measured by its materials or branding but by the craftsmanship that comes with each signature piece. High-end jewellery is an art that inspires imagination and strives for the symbol of success. What was once an object of beauty has long been extended to expression and status, more of the latter than the former, especially when we’re talking about luxury jewels. True haute joaillerie can withstand the test of time.

Sotirio Voulgaris’ origins of an exceptional silversmith in the Pindus Mountains of northern Greece expanded to opening his first store in Rome in 1884, creating what we now know as one of the most influential brands in luxury jewellery, watches, and fashion; BVLGARI.

From the 1970s to the 2000s, the exponential progression BVLGARI allowed the brand to compete on the world’s stage in the high-end jewellery industry. With celebrity devotees like Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, and a lineup of retail stores opening internationally, BVLGARI became the trailblazers of haute joaillerie, and is now known as one of the best watchmakers in history.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired BVLGARI in 2011 for $6 billion USD, the highest the company has ever offered any other company. Known for its impeccable craftsmanship and vibrant gemstones and diamonds, BVLGARI continues to create unforgettable, timeless accessories that are sought after by those with wealth and status.

One of the most expensive and timeless collections of BVLGARI would have to be the Serpenti collection. A vision inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, the Serpenti collection is an iconic representation of wisdom, life, strength, and seduction, much like the serpent in these folklores. Preserving the mythological sentiment of the serpent, the brand created iterations of this magnificent collection to be dangerously alluring, attracting the most famous celebrities around the world.

Over the years, the Serpenti collection expanded to include watches, rings, bags, and more. Despite the fast-approaching modern era, the BVLGARI Serpenti collection remains true to its core, safeguarding the symbolic serpent in every design while redefining the aesthetics and style to not only reflect the evolution of women but also transcend the bounds of high-end jewellery in the modern era. With each gem intricately cut and crafted to fit the detailing of the jewel and specifically designed with glamour and comfort, the BVLGARI house makes every piece feel like a subtle and glorious second skin.

Using only the best cut gems and 18-karat gold for its collection, BVLGARI powers through a new age with contemporary and sophisticated designs while preserving the root of its traditions. Inevitably, it continues to be one of the most well-known and prestigious luxury brands in history.

 

Inspiring Greatness from Rolls Royce

“Take the best that exists and make it better.” 

This statement became an iconic pillar of Rolls-Royce as it became a household name in luxury since its conception over 100 years ago. Symbolising a work of art, each piece is hand-made exclusively for its customers which includes not only the most famous and wealthy but the most prominent leaders of the world. Comprised of the most highly skilled craftspeople, goldsmiths, and designers, Rolls-Royce’s exclusive and luxury reputation lies in its unique mission to bring your vision to life with every motor car. 

But understanding the history of how Rolls-Royce came to be is essential in appreciating the brand’s success. The early 20th Century marked a new beginning for the Honourable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce when they joined forces in a successful partnership to create the future of motoring, and what will come to be the most luxurious and expensive brand in the history of motor. 

In 1907, Rolls-Royce built the 40/50-horsepower six-cylinder model, now known as Silver Ghost, which was later coined the Best Car in the World. Coated with aluminium paint and silver-plated fittings, the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost’s name change derived from its ghost-like movement; silent and powerful. For the next 20 years, there would be upgrades in the engine from a 7.0- to a 7.4-litre, a strengthened chassis, brakes fitted to all four wheels, and the transformation of the gearbox from a four-speed overdrive unit to a three-speed box with a direct drive top gear. 

The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost remains a classic and longest-produced Rolls-Royce in the company’s history, with 6,173 cars built between 1907 and 1924 and another 1,703 cars expanding to the United States until 1926. 

It goes without saying that the most iconic and expensive bespoke Rolls-Royce ever made are the original Phantom, the Wraith, the new-age production of the Celestial Phantom and its latest creation, the Boat Tail. Constructed by hand at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Goodwood, England, Rolls-Royce is known for its royal and loyal customers. The true cost of a bespoke Rolls Royce has no limits as the foundation of its wealth does not lie in the price tag but rather the boundless possibilities of upgrades and customizations, each car made individually to meet each customer’s needs and desires. 

Remodelling the distinguishable parts from their flagship car, the New Phantom was born in 1925 with a larger engine than the Silver Ghost and used pushrod-operated overhead valves. Years later, the development of future versions of the Phantom featured a full aluminium interior, body and engine while encompassing 453-horsepower and a V12 engine. Now, in its eighth generation, the Phantom VIII is one of the most iconic cars of the brand. 

Preserving its classic and sleek design, the Phantom VIII includes a short front overhang and upright front end, a long bonnet, spacious passenger compartment along with a long wheelbase and flowing rear end. In addition to the new specifications of this model, a new base known as the ‘Architecture of Luxury’ platform utilising an aluminium space frame chassis became a signature aspect of future models to come. The Phantom was also the first Rolls-Royce to be fitted with four-wheel steering and ‘Silent-Seal’ tires, which uses a layer of foam internally to reduce tire cavity noise, lowering sound levels in the cabin by up to 9 decibels. Finally, Rolls-Royce’s trademark ‘Parthenon’ radiator grille was embedded onto the body of the car as a symbolic token that will become recognizable by consumers and passerbys alike. 

Now, for Rolls-Royce’s latest creations. 

The Celestial, a variation of the original Phantom, was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company’s new factory and is one of the most extraordinary collections ever made. Inspired by the night sky over the Goodwood factory, this grandiose model embodies the opulence of the brand itself. With 400, 18-carat white gold diamonds carefully hand-crafted and embellished in the interior and the roof of the car, the Celestial is a proud representation and celebration of a decade of exquisite craftsmanship. 

 

The Finest of Haute Horlogerie 2022

With a new year comes new creations and new editions of the finest, luxury watches that iconic Maisons like Chopard, and Audemars Piguet have to offer. Despite the increasing fluctuations of the global market, watchmakers are continuing to strive for excellence through exquisite horological designs.

With Audemars Piguet preserving refined traditional watchmaking practices, and Chopard playing the perfect all-rounder, the world of watches has some exciting masterpieces coming its way.

Without further ado, here is a list of the best watches that are radiating the path of 2022.

Let’s kick off this list with one of the most powerful and reputable luxury brands in the world of watches,  Audemars Piguet. The luxury brand known for its legacy of greatness released a slew of creations, some brand new while others are iterations of the iconic classics. As the go-to choice of the world’s socialites, superstars, royalty, and A-list celebrities, Audemars Piguet remains the oldest watch manufacturer still run by its founding families, currently led by Jasmine Audemars. For these reasons, it’s no question why Audemars Piguet is one of the most sought-after and revered luxury watch brands around today. This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection, Audemars Piguet released several new iterations of this classic masterpiece.

– Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra Thin

The jewel in the crown of Audemars Piguet's extensive watch catalogue, the Royal Oak collection, has gone through a makeover to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this quintessential model. The Swiss manufacturer has dropped a timepiece that features a new selfwinding, extra-thin movement, Calibre 7121. The timepiece intends to pay homage to half a century of Royal Oak design innovation, and its refined contrasts, materials, colours and dial animations are reminiscent of previous Oak designs since 1972. All of the Royal Oak models for 2022, with the exception of existing perpetual calendars, will come with a special oscillating mass, visible through the caseback with a cut-out that says “50 Years.”

It is the first time since 1972, that this model has a new self-winding hour, minute and date movement, replacing the Calibre 2121. The new iteration is slightly larger, measuring 3.2 mm, and is newly equipped with a rapid date-corrector. It now has a larger barrel with more power for more precise timekeeping over a longer period of time. Five years in development, it now has bidirectional winding, a balance wheel fit with inertia blocks to avoid unnecessary friction and comes with a patented extra-thin low-energy date-setting mechanism. Finally, it has been finished to high-horology standards with Côtes de Genève, Traits Tirés.

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked 

The hand-finished Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked comes with an openworked movement, which is housed in a two-tone case impressively interweaving 18-carat white and pink gold. On the back, there is a double-curved sapphire crystal, which has an arched profile that in turn plays with depth, perspective and light, meaning the watch looks a little different from every angle. Audemars Piguet launched an openworked tourbillon for its 40th anniversary in 2012, so the company felt it needed to up the ante for the Royal Oak’s half-a-century milestone. With this new edition of Flying Tourbillon that features bridges both vertically and horizontally to create a beautiful 3D effect from all directions. So, how many will be produced? Bennahmias says they will make just 125 pieces this year and will follow with 80 pieces in 2023 and 45 in 2024.  

 

– Chopard L.U.C. Flying T Twin

For those who are unfamiliar, L.U.C. is the initials of founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard and is the designation given to watches produced at the brand’s high-end manufacture in Fleurier that opened in 1996. The L.U.C. Flying T Twin was originally released in 2019 with the brand’s first automatic flying tourbillon. Now, Chopard has unmasked a follow-up redesign of the original in a white-gold case with solid gold dial done in blue with honeycomb guilloché. The new Flying T Twin features an ultra-thin stop-seconds tourbillon and a movement that is both COSC-certified and bears the Geneva Seal. Limited to 50 pieces, this watch is a testament to the Scheufele family’s investment in Chopard’s L.U.C division. 

While the tourbillon and movement will initially garner the most attention, the dial warrants praise of its own. Since its inception, Chopard L.U.C has been making dials out of solid gold for select pieces by partnering with Metalem, who is among the top dial makers in the world. The dial of this L.U.C is done using guillochage, or better known as hand-done engine turning. The intricate, non-uniform honeycomb pattern here is drop-dead gorgeous, as is the very finely done circular pattern around the dial’s exterior circumference. The Chopard L.U.C Flying T Twin is an impressive timepiece of horology from a brand that has earned its place in Haute Horlogerie.  

 

– Chopard Happy Diamonds

Chopard has established a strong presence by changing the Swiss watchmaking industry’s jewellery watches division with the introduction of the Happy Diamonds collection originally released in 1976. Since then, this notable creation has offered an opportunity for the very first time to view moving diamonds between sapphire crystals. Famous for its meticulous craftsmanship, the watches that come from this Maison speak of rich heritage and quality while enabling the free expression of emotions with their extravagant watches that are made with the highest quality of standards and resources. Today, the Chopard Happy Diamonds collection lives on in the watchmaker’s catalogue and continues to make an impression on generation after generation.