Having revived its Aluminium series earlier in the year – the model was first launched in 1998 as an affordable, lightweight sports watch –  Bulgari has just announced the Aluminium Tricolore, a limited edition created in collaboration with the Aeronautica Militare, Italy’s air force.

Clad in dark blue rubber, instead of the conventional black, the Aluminium Tricolore was also conceived with the pandemic in mind, as revenue from the sale of the first 50 watches will go to a trio of children’s hospitals in Italy.

Initial thoughts

A faddish watch in the years after its launch, the original Aluminium was discontinued about a decade after its introduction, which means enough time has past that it’s interesting again.

The new Aluminium has pretty much the same appeal as the original – an unusual combination of materials, lightness, and affordability – but also some of the same drawbacks, namely neither aluminium nor rubber are as durable as steel. Both materials tend to show wear more easily than steel does.

Still it is a good-looking sports watch for a relatively modest price of US$3,000 or so, and the Tricolore is a bit more appealing in its new livery that’s a bit less stark than the black and silver of the standard model. It is also a good thing that the tricolour logo on the dial is discreet, which preserves the overall two-tone look of the Aluminium.

Frecce Tricolori

Named after the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian air force’s famed aerobatics team, the watch replaces the tradition black with dark blue. The rubber bezel and bracelet are dark blue, as are the hands and printed markings on the dial.

The specs of the watch are identical to the standard model. The aluminium case is 40 mm in diameter, with a titanium case back and an ETA 2892 within.

A good cause

The Aluminium Tricolore is a limited edition of 1,050 watches. The first 50 watches are each individually numbered out of 50, and all proceeds from their sale will go to children’s hospitals in Rome, Genoa, and Milan, via a fundraising project organised by the Italian Air Force. Additionally, three examples will be sold at a Christie’s auction in Milan in December, with proceeds going to the same cause.

And the subsequent 1,000 watches will be available at stores from December 2020 onwards.

Key facts and price

Bulgari Aluminium Tricolore
Ref. 103514

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: Aluminium with titanium case back and bezel covered in blue rubber
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: B77 (ETA 2892)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Rubber link bracelet

Limited edition: 50 individually numbered pieces, and another 1,000 watches
Availability: From December 2020 at boutiques
Price: US$3,050; or 4,190 Singapore dollars

For more, visit Bulgari.com.