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204

Bulgari (Attributed to)

Ref. 879

"Serpenti"

A lady's exceptionally fine and highly attractive yellow gold "snake" bracelet watch with green, white and black enamel coiling, diamond-set eyes and certificate

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000
€42,900 - 85,700
$52,900 - 106,000
CHF87,500
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Bulgari (Attributed to)
Year
Circa 1960
Reference No
879
Movement No
869'395
Case No
871'244,
Model Name
"Serpenti"
Material
18K yellow gold and enamel
Calibre
Manual, Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 426, 16 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Translucent green, black and white enamel over textured background scales with gold outlines
Dimensions
Bracelet will fit a wrist with a circumference of approx. 150 mm.
Signed
Dial and movement signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, bracelet signed Bvlgari
Accessories
Accompanied by a Certificate from Amanda Triossi, author and specialist on Bvlgari, Curator of all major Bvlgari Retrospective Exhibitions from 2009 to 2013, attributing the watch to Bvlgari
Catalogue Essay
Even though Bvlgari created the « Serpenti » bracelet in the 1940s, it did not become the choice of the glitterati until the 1960s when Elisabeth Taylor was spotted on screen wearing her Bvlgari « Serpenti » in the 1963 film Cleopatra, becoming overnight an immense success and a glamorous symbol of the “dolce vita”.

A marvel of finesse and artistic liberty, the Serpenti consists of a wrap around gold bracelet enhanced with green, white and black enamel representing the snake’s skin. The eyes are two round cut diamonds. The mouth of the snake ingeniously opens to reveal the watch’s dial.

Attributed to Bvlgari as set out in a certificate from Amanda Triossi, MA FGA, author and specialist on Bvlgari, curator of all major Bvlgari Retrospective Exhibitions from 2009 to 2013, the present “Serpenti” is not only a wonderful and delicate mix of jewelry and watchmaking but a wonderful conversation piece.

Bulgari (Attributed to)

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