Bulgari’s L’Ammiraglio del Tempo – “The Admiral of Time” featuring a detent escapement with minute repeater and constant force mechanism was introduced at the 2014 BaselWorld annual watch fair. Production is limited to 20 pieces in 18K pink gold and 10 pieces in 18K white gold. Priced at US$359,000 or around CHF350,000 / SGD490,000 / MYR1,172,000 (Malaysian Ringgit). The prototype was recently in store – at Bulgari’s new boutique at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for a few days only. The hammers and Cathedral gongs are visible but where is the sliding mechanism for activating the minute repeater? Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy 2014
The main horological highlight for Bulgari at the 2014 Baselworld annual watch fair is the L’Ammiraglio del Tempo, otherwise known as “The Admiral of Time” when translated to English.
This high horology timepiece features the detent escapement with a cylindrical hairspring, a constant force mechanism and a minute repeater.
What is visible on the dial side? In addition to the hammers and the Cathedral gongs, the cylindrical hairspring (above) of the detent escapement can be seen on the dial side. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014
The use of the detent escapement is inspired by the marine chronometer. In horological history, the marine chronometer, as we are told, can be deemed as one of the earliest timekeepers with high precision. One reason for the high precision is the use of the detent escapement.
This explains the name: L’Ammiraglio del Tempo or “The Admiral of Time”.
During the official opening of Bulgari’s new boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the prototype of the L’Ammiraglio del Tempo was sighted within the store, under the watchful eyes of Bulgari’s Director of High-End Watches, Andrea Granalli.
Bulgari’s Admiral of Time minute repeater features the Westminster chime. On the dial side, the hammers, Cathedral gongs and even the cylindrical hairspring of the detent escapement are visible.
However, activation of the minute repeating function is a mystery as no sliding mechanism can be seen. The minute repeater cannot be activated by the crown.
Andrea Granalli, director of high-end watches, Bulgari, is the caretaker for the L’Ammiraglio del Tempo on its travels around the world. He is pointing at the lug that has to be lifted up to activate the minute repeater. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy 2014
The Admiral of Time has what is termed the “mysterious actuating system” whereby the minute repeater only sounds after the left lug at between the seven and eight o’clock positions is pushed sideways and “lifted” upwards.
Interestingly, the case back also pivots upwards in tandem.
As such, the “visible” features of the L’Ammiraglio del Tempo are the hammers, the cylindrical hairspring and Cathedral gongs while the “invisible” is its activating mechanism for the minute repeater.
Inside Bulgari’s flagship store located in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B1-36/37 and B2-34/35, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore. Photo: © Bulgari
It was an enlightening visit to the new Bulgari store at Marina Bay Sands, the largest for the brand in the region where jewellery, leather products, accessories, perfumes and timepieces from the brand can be found.