BRIDGING the gap between the real world and the virtual, Bulgari continues to showcase its innovative, contemporary design approach. At the Gran Turismo World Series Finals – held in Barcelona – Bulgari unveiled two new works of art.
In 1998, the Bulgari Aluminium was first released. Now, the Bulgari Aluminium is considered a horological chef d’œuvre thanks to its timeless design. Combining strong graphic lines with luxurious, durable materials, the watch won the Red Dot Design Best of the Best Award in 2023.
Gran Turismo x Bulgari
Today, Bulgari has reimagined the watch – alongside a virtual hypercar- to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Vision GT program. Gran TurismoTM – part of Vision GT – is a widely popular racing game that first launched in Japan in 1997.
The multi-award-winning franchise is now renowned for its incredibly lifelike graphics and attention to in-game physics. Teaming up with the Gran Turismo auto-racing simulation game, Bulgari has unveiled two limited editions of the Bulgari Aluminium x Gran Turismo Special Edition chronograph.
The new watch is inspired by the sleekness of the original Bulgari Aluminium, alongside the iconic Italian Gran Turismo car from the 1990s. As a result, a vibrant yellow is showcased in its new design – an homage to the car’s original dashboard dials.
Additionally, rubber and light aluminium are combined effortlessly to create a sporty, refined appearance. The crown and caseback are also made using high-tech, extra-strong and lightweight titanium with a black DLC treatment for extra flair.
Gran Turismo x Bulgari
The Bulgari Aluminium x Gran Turismo Special Edition is available in two exclusive colour-ways – one with a yellow dial and black counters and the other with an anthracite dial with yellow indices.
Alongside the watch, Bulgari has created a new virtual car – the Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT. The new car is the first hypercar designed for Gran Turismo racing by a watchmaking brand.
The luxury brand has even created a singular real-life model to exhibit the craftsmanship and care of the car’s design. Designed for ultimate speed and performance on Gran Turismo’s virtual racetracks, the Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT mirrors the design of the Bulgari Aluminium x Gran Turismo Special Edition watch. Crafted from brushed aluminium, carbon, rubber and anthracite Alcantara, the car exudes power.
Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT
Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, product creation executive director at Bulgari, worked alongside Fabio Filippini, car designer & design strategy advisor, to create the vehicle. “I envisioned a different way of playing with Bulgari’s DNA, creating a concept car that speaks the same language as the Bulgari Aluminium watch.
Its design is based on geometric, pure, and angular forms, inspired by the lines of legendary Italian Gran Turismo cars from the 1970s, featuring sporty three-spoke steering wheels and walnut dashboards. These shapes come together to create the unmistakable Bulgari aesthetic, resulting in a concept car with perfectly realistic proportions, also in the real world, at full scale,” explains Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani.
Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT
The Gran Turismo x Bulgari collaboration ushers in a new era for the two brands and exemplifies the importance of embracing new technologies.
by Sophie Richardson
With Every purchase of a Bulgari Aluminium x Gran Turismo Special Edition watch, the buyer will receive a code enabling them to race in the Bulgari hypercar in the game.