Bvlgari Honours Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Two limited editions celebrate two defining figures of twentieth century Mexican art
Bvlgari has introduced two highly distinctive creations developed over a three year period. The pair consists of special editions within the Tubogas and Octo Finissimo collections and pays tribute to one of the most influential artistic couples of twentieth century Mexico, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Both models share yellow gold cases and are conceived as parallel homages to the individual artistic legacies of the two painters.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Frida Kahlo Tubogas Manchette
A modern interpretation of a 1970s aesthetic
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera first met at a congress of the Mexican Communist Party in the late 1920s. Rivera was already an acclaimed muralist twenty years her senior, yet their partnership evolved into a defining artistic union that lasted until Kahlo’s death in 1954. Kahlo’s own body of work comprises more than 150 paintings, including 55 self portraits that chronicle the physical and emotional turbulence of her life. Today her art forms a central part of collections in major museums worldwide.
The Frida Kahlo Tubogas Manchette revisits the Tubogas designs of the 1970s through a jewellery focused approach. The yellow gold case measures 19 millimetres and frames a mother of pearl dial with diamond hour markers. Inside sits the Bvlgari Lady Solotempo calibre, a 3.9 millimetre self winding movement with a power reserve of 50 hours.
The highlight of the model is its single loop Tubogas bracelet, 135 millimetres in length, which is engraved across its individual links with excerpts from a literary work dedicated to Kahlo. This detail reinforces the narrative character of the piece and positions it as both a watch and a personal ornament.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Diego Rivera Octo Finissimo
A tribute to a master of monumental Mexican muralism
Diego Rivera is renowned for his monumental murals that interpret the cultural and political history of Mexico. His frescoes often incorporated themes of class struggle, social reform and the preservation of indigenous identity, informed by Marxist thought and his belief in the importance of public art.
The Diego Rivera Octo Finissimo differs from the standard production models by introducing a full set of Roman numerals, including VII and VIII. These numerals are normally absent on the Octo Finissimo dial due to the placement of the small seconds counter. Another distinctive feature is the intentional duplication of the numeral XI, positioned at both nine o’clock and eleven o’clock. Although there is no evidence suggesting Rivera ever depicted such an error in his own work, the design team incorporated it as a subtle device to intrigue collectors and highlight the artistic narrative behind the model.
The sapphire caseback bears a laser engraved reproduction of Rivera’s signature and an outline of his silhouette. Beneath it lies the ultra thin BVL 138 automatic calibre with a platinum micro rotor. This movement is only 2.23 millimetres thick, operates at 21600 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of 60 hours.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Limited production and pricing
Both the Frida Kahlo Tubogas Manchette and the Diego Rivera Octo Finissimo are limited to 25 pieces each. The approximate retail price for the Frida Kahlo model is 64000 Swiss francs or 75000 euros. The Octo Finissimo Diego Rivera is priced at 49200 Swiss francs or 56000 euros.
These two editions reflect Bvlgari’s ongoing exploration of artistic heritage within high watchmaking, weaving historical narratives into modern design while celebrating two of the most iconic figures of Mexican cultural history.
