(Click image for gallery - 4 photos)

I have never seen anyone wearing a Bvlgari wristwatch (other than maybe Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man). Bvlgari has a large multi-level boutique in Manhattan (Bvlgari also sell is jewelry), and many other throughout the world, just like Audemars Piguet or Omega, for example. Yet I have seen many people wearing Omega and Audemars Piguet timepieces, never a Bvlgari though. I'm not sure how much traction the brand has in the highly competitive luxury watch market, but based on what I've heard, and Bvlgari's January 2010 announcement to combined their two haute horology brands, Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta under the Bvlgari name, there is clearly some turmoil within their watch division.

That said, this new sports watch is the best watch I have seen from Bvlgari to date. It is not powered by their new in-house movement (which they finally brought to market this year, after 10 years of development). Instead, the new Diagono Professional Chronograph GMT X-Pro is powered by a less exclusive, but reliable Valjoux 7750 automatic mechanical chronograph movement, with an add-on GMT module.

So, the watch looks good, somewhat like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas even, but in order to sell it they will need more than just looks and the Bvlgari name. If they price it correctly, then it might takeoff, but if they price it anything above $7,000, then it will just be another overpriced Valjoux 7750 timepiece. It should be available in stores soon.

Bvlgari recently unveiled the Diagno GMT, at Baselworld 2009. The key feature of the new Diagno GMT is a hack mechanism that makes it very easy to change between different time zones. For most dual time watches, you need to set the second time zone via the crown. For this one, instead of a crown, it uses pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock to advance or reverse the second time zone hour hand. The date automatically changes when the second time zone hour-hand is moved forward or backwards. If the watch is left still for too long, a pusher at 8 o'clock can independently adjust the date. Read the full specifications below:

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Bulgari recently introduced a new collection of timepieces, named after their founder, Sotirio Bvlgari. The new collection comes in three versions; an annual calendar, perpetual calendar and tourbillon. Traditional and modern design elements blend together for a very classy look. A good match for an Italian suit or a nice dress shirt.

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These photographs were taken at the Bvlgari booth and during a meeting with Bvlgari PR Director, Hilary Heard. According to Hilary, Bvlgari is making a progression to in-house manufacture status and should reach their goal within the next few years. They already own two brands that manufacture their watches in-house, Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth. I look forward to Bvlgari's progress and hope that once they fully integrate their production, they will be able to bring some advanced timepieces to market.

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[ via Bvlgari ]

Bvlgari has opened a grand flagship boutique in Paris, at Rue Francois 1er and Avenue George V. Joining the brand's previous three stores in the "City of Light", the new boutique draws inspiration from the architectural concept of ancient palaces, cleverly accentuated by the design elements integral to the house of Bvlgari.

The luxurious appointed Paris boutique covers 1,500 square meters on two floors, making it the largest Bvlgari store in Europe. A special aspect is the "twin store" concept, which enables customers to enter through either the jewelry and watch side, or the one devoted to the latest Bvlgari accessory collections. Once inside, customers will find the central rotunda which merges the two sections.

[ via Bvlgari ]

My favorite part of the Bvlgari Diagono Calibro 303 is the 18k white gold bezel. The "303" in the name represents the 303 components used to create this watch.

Specifications:

Diagono Calibro 303 Chronograph with stainless steel case (42 mm) with 18 kt. white gold bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflection treatment and transparent back case. Manufactured multi-layer dial with Satiné Soleil and vertical treatments. Faceted hand-applied indexes. Manufactured movement, Caliber BVL 303 with automatic winding and date, composed of 303 components. Integrated chronograph with column wheel mechanism. 45h power reserve,37 jewels and 21'600 vph (3HZ). 25.60 mm of diameter and 5.50 mm of thickness. Hand-decorated with Côtes de Genève, Perlage and Satiné Soleil treatments. Bulgari manufactured stainless steel bracelet. Water resistant up to 100 meters.

This is the new Bvlgari Assioma model that has a 48mm platinum case with double sapphire crystals. It uses the automatic in-house Caliber BVL 416 with 64 hours of power reserve. The watch is a limited edition of 20 pieces and sells for $155,000.