MB&F x Bulgari LM FlyingT Allegra
Overview
The story of the collaboration between Bulgari and MB&F is first and foremost that of an encounter between Bulgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani; and MB&F’s Founder and Creative Director, Maximilian Büsser. The outcome is FlyingT Allegra, a joint and unexpected feminine creation merging various skills, but above all two mindsets.
This exceptional partnership goes far beyond the realm of the complicated feminine jewellery watch. It highlights two visions of the world, two interpretations of creativity that are radically different in form, yet which merge in substance within an integrated and harmonious co-creation vividly demonstrating the power of two.
About the collaboration
This exceptional partnership goes far beyond the realm of the complicated feminine jewellery watch. It highlights two visions of the world, two interpretations of creativity that are radically different in form, yet which merge in substance within an integrated and harmonious co-creation vividly demonstrating the power of two.
COLOURED GEMS
Bulgari has always favoured the use of coloured stones rather than diamonds alone. Coloured gems enable the Rome-based Maison to create authentic compositions through a gradual process aimed at achieving harmony and chromatic power adapted to the design of the model. The cabochon cut perfectly matches the FlyingT Allegra’s round and voluminous case.
VERTICALLY-STACKED MOVEMENT STRUCTURE
The 60-second flying tourbillon projects high above the rest of the engine, a kinetic, dynamic column that stops just short of the apex of the sapphire crystal dome. Affixed to the top of the upper tourbillon cage is a single diamond that rotates simultaneously with the tourbillon.
INTIMATE TIME INDICATION
Time indication at the 7 o’clock position on the dial plate, with the subdial tilted 50° to face the wearer. The message is subtle but clear: whoever the owners of the LM FlyingT may be, their time belongs to them and no one else.
Machine in action
The two brands were bound to converge on a shared platform: that of their jewellery-making and mechanical audacity. MB&F works on volumes and complexity, while Bulgari creates two-dimensional models with a radically graphic aesthetic. The choice to revisit MB&F's Legacy Machine FlyingT was thus both natural and logical, since FlyingT Allegra incorporates both sensibilities.
THE MACHINE
Unconventionally beautiful
In contrast to conventional high jewellery codes, Bulgari has always favoured the use of coloured stones rather than diamonds alone. Coloured gems enable the Rome-based Maison to create authentic compositions through a gradual process aimed at achieving harmony and chromatic power adapted to the design of the model. Cut is very important, and Bulgari favours the cabochon which ensures extreme clarity of the stone while emphasising the opulence of the creation. The cabochon cut perfectly matches the FlyingT Allegra’s round and voluminous case.
- Material: 18K white or red gold, set with diamonds.
- High domed sapphire crystal on top with anti-reflective coating on both sides, sapphire crystal on back.
- Dimensions: 39 x 20mm
- Number of components: 17
- Water resistance: 3ATM / 30m / 90 feet
- MB&F FlyingT movement featuring three-dimensional vertical architecture, automatic winding, conceived and developed in-house.
- Central flying 60-second tourbillon
- Power reserve: 100 hours
- Balance frequency: 18,000bph / 2.5Hz
- Three-dimensional sun winding rotor in 18K 5N+ red gold, titanium and platinum
- Number of components: 280
- Number of jewels: 30
- Hours and minutes displayed on a 50° vertically tilted dial with two serpentine hands.
- Two crowns: winding on left and time-setting on right.
- For the white gold version: diamonds, tsavorites, topaz, amethyst, tanzanite, tourmaline.
- For the rose gold version: diamonds, tsavorites, tourmaline, tanzanite, amethyst, rubellite.
VERTICALLY-STACKED MOVEMENT STRUCTURE
The 60-second flying tourbillon projects high above the rest of the engine, a kinetic, dynamic column that stops just short of the apex of the sapphire crystal dome. Affixed to the top of the upper tourbillon cage is a single diamond that rotates simultaneously with the tourbillon.
Inspiration
Both Bulgari and MB&F display strong character in their respective fields yet are also very different. The Rome-based Maison is known for its love of cabochon-cut coloured gems in jewellery watch creations, expressing Mediterranean warmth and exuberance – diametrically opposed to the currently prevailing classicism. Born in 2005, MB&F took the decision to design radical timepieces exploring previously uncharted conceptual territory within a watch industry environment characterised by stubborn conventionalism.
The two brands were thus bound to converge on a shared platform: that of their jewellery-making and mechanical audacity. MB&F works on volumes and complexity, while Bulgari creates two-dimensional models with a radically graphic aesthetic. The choice to revisit MB&F's Legacy Machine FlyingT was thus both natural and logical, since FlyingT Allegra incorporates both sensibilities.
Radical in terms of its architecture and construction, while exquisitely precious in terms of its opulent ornamentation, this creation was intended as a tribute to femininity. In its name FlyingT, the T stands for the initial of MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser's wife, Tiffany, as well as for flying Tourbillon.
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