To mark Singapore’s 60th anniversary, Bvlgari unveils a global timepiece inspired by a nation in sync with the world
At 60, a person is said to enter a second spring, wearing both scars and successes with equal grace. A country, too, finds itself at a similar juncture when marking a diamond jubilee, reflecting not only on its achievements but also the complexities that come with age. Time becomes a lens through which a society considers how it nurtures, adapts and renews.
Heritage brands have long aligned themselves with historical milestones, whether to honour shared histories or express cultural solidarity. But how does one celebrate a country’s birthday without slipping into tacky patriotism? For Singapore’s 60th year of independence, Bvlgari deepens its ties with the Southeast Asian powerhouse through a commemorative piece, the Octo Roma Worldtimer SG60 Edition.
Regional managing director Jeffrey Hang (centre), flanked by Bvlgari friends of the brand and special guests
Thematically, the watch mirrors the odyssey of the maison’s founder, Sotirios Voulgaris, a Greek émigré who Italianised his name to Bulgari and established a jewellery business in Rome around 1884. That same spirit of reinvention animates the Lion City, which rose from the periphery to prominence. Once a colonial trading post, the formidable financial epicentre charted its path against the odds, not through inherited advantage but the will to evolve. Both narratives — one of a man, the other of a man-made legacy — are anchored in the belief that identity is not simply bestowed but built patiently, often against expectation.
See also: Racing ahead
A fitting tribute to the Little Red Dot perpetually in motion, the 41mm worldtimer is crafted from sandblasted stainless steel with black DLC (diamond-like carbon), a contemporary finish that balances everyday versatility with a strong, sporty presence. The matte dial, punctuated by luminous white indices and PVD (physical vapour deposition)-treated hands, is offset by a red lacquered central seconds hand. Encircling it is a 24-hour ring — half in black, half in red to indicate day and night — with “Singapore” emblazoned in striking red, a deliberate flourish that asserts its stature on the international stage.
Explore the maison’s watchmaking artistry at the Beyond Time pop-up at Paragon Mall Atrium
Powering this tribute release is the BVL 257 calibre, an in-house automatic movement adapted from the trusted BVL 191 architecture, first introduced in 2021 with the Octo Roma Worldtimer series. Designed for ease of use across time zones, the dual rotating discs allow for an intuitive reading of major cities at a glance. The integrated complication — visible through a transparent caseback — measures just 6.03mm thick, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and offers a power reserve of 42 hours.
Among the many materials vying for wrist real estate, few are as radically misunderstood or subversive as the rubber strap. Offered here in red or black, and secured with a black DLC-coated steel pin buckle, it forgoes the romance of patina and the gleam of precious metal in favour of something resolutely utilitarian. Paired with a ticker resistant to 100m, the strap forms a muscular silhouette honed for the outdoors, one that shrugs off sweat, salt and sun with ease.
Experience the sleek, winding charm of the Serpenti
For all its pragmatism, this celebratory ode invites a moment of pause when seen in person. The Worldtimer SG60 is currently on display at Beyond Time, an immersive horological experience staged at Paragon Mall Atrium on Orchard Road, until Aug 10. Inspired by the maison’s acclaimed Watches and Wonders debut in Geneva, this signifies Bvlgari’s first exhibition of its kind outside Switzerland. The pop-up is divided into zones that spotlight its watchmaking pillars, from the sinuous allure of Serpenti and the record-breaking feats of the Octo to the mechanical mastery of grande complications and the jewellery secret watches that blur the boundary between ornament and instrument.
From left: Pia Wurtzbach, Sng and Davika Hoorne
For more lifestyle, arts and fashion trends, click here for Options Section
The event officially opened its doors last month with a gathering of friends of the brand, including former Miss Universe and Filipino actress Pia Wurtzbach, Thai model-actress Davika Hoorne and Singaporean actor Ayden Sng. They were joined by special guests such as Malaysian presenter and model Awal Ashaari and Thai actress Peraya “Faye” Malisorn, whose arrival sparked fervent cheers among crowds of euphoric fans lining the atrium.
Amid the bustle, Sng stopped for a brief interview and shared how he would use an extra 60 minutes in his day, in keeping with the SG60 homage: “I’d spend it with my grandmother,” said the multi-talented television star and musician, who also plays the violin, piano and erhu. “I’ve been away filming in China for the past four to five months, and it’d be nice to be around my family a little longer.”
Wurtzbach, meanwhile, said that she thoroughly enjoyed a hands-on masterclass led by watchmaker Clément Drobniak from Le Sentier, the Swiss village that houses Bvlgari’s Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie, where its most complicated calibres are brought to life.
The layout of Beyond Time unfolds around a B-shaped focal point, its minimalist aesthetic drawn directly from the ethos of German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who championed a “less is more” philosophy through structural clarity and material integrity. These principles were reinforced by his loyal collaborator, modernist designer Lilly Reich, whose influence was most memorably captured in the Barcelona Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition, where steel, glass, marble and mirrors coalesced in harmony. In Singapore, Bvlgari’s installation channels this Miesian language of grids and open planes, creating a contemplative setting that feels perfectly attuned to the Worldtimer SG60. Its bold geometry finds natural affinity with the exhibition’s architectural poise.
In recent years, Bvlgari has put its flagship Octo line on a slimming regime, setting one record after another in ultra-thin watchmaking. Visitors can expect to see hallmark pieces such as the Octo Finissimo Automatic (2017), which debuted as the slimmest self-winding watch of its time; the Tourbillon Automatic and Minute Repeater from 2018; and the dual-function Chronograph GMT introduced in 2019. These breakthroughs laid the groundwork for the Tourbillon Chronograph (2020) and the Perpetual Calendar (2021), both category firsts. The showcase culminates with its latest accomplishment: Octo Finissimo Titanium Tourbillon (2025), now the world’s thinnest tourbillon, at an astonishing 1.85mm in thickness.
To celebrate the National Day weekend, guests can take home custom postcard portraits sketched by a local artist or drop by the live poetry station to receive a personalised verse that encapsulates the ephemeral beauty of time.
“It is a profound honour to present our world of watchmaking in Singapore,” says regional managing director Jeffrey Hang. “To have Beyond Time begin its journey here is especially meaningful. It is our tribute to SG60 and a celebration of the shared values of design, innovation and craftsmanship.”
The Roman jeweller’s meaningful gesture to the city-state serves as both a compass of character and a timely salute to a cosmopolitan hub that moves in step with the world.
