Bulgari Caliber BVL 191

The Bulgari caliber BVL 191 is a 3-hander automatic movement with a date. The BVL 191 was introduced in 2013.

This calibre gets its name from the first three letters of the brand: BVL; and the number of parts in the movement: 191. The brand also refers to it as their “Solotempo” caliber, which means time-only – even though it has a date calendar complication.

26 Jewels VS 27 Jewels:

There appear to be different versions of the BVL 191 with the original being the BVL 191 301 with 26 jewels. Watches produced in and after 2017 may be powered by the BVL 191 302, which is an evolution/upgrade caliber with an extra jewel (27 in total). The Bulgari site still shows stock photos with 26 jewels engraved on the movement. Furthermore, with an extra jewel, the calibre now has 192 parts rather than 191. Perhaps to avoid caliber confusion, Bulgari should have named the newer version the BVL 192.

The purpose of the extra jewels is unconfirmed.

Where is it made?

Bulgari states that the BVL 191 is developed, produced, and assembled in-house. More specifically:

“Its constituent parts – mainplate, bridges and gearing train – are produced in the Bulgari Manufacture at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, while final assembly takes place in Le Sentier – at the Bulgari Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie.” –Source: Bulgari 130th Anniversary catalog, 2014

In Bulgari’s own words:

“Bulgari introduces the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191), a movement of complex simplicity. The Solotempo, Italian for “only time,” records the hour, minute, second and date, with high performance and infallible precision. In its master y of this caliber, revered for its singular purity in timekeeping, Bulgari makes it look simple. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) has become synonymous with the new definition of Bulgari accuracy since 2013. Conceived, developed and manufactured completely in-house, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is an example of what acute savoir-faire can produce, in the exquisite aesthetic of the Italian Genius. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) mechanical movement is automatically wound via a ceramic ball bearing-mounted ceramic oscillating wheel weight. With an instant date changer, it also features a stop-seconds device to block the balance when the crown is pulled out. The expertly engineered caliber is equipped with a disconnecting system to avoid wear on the pinions; this saves energy when the winding system is in action via the crown or the oscillating weight. Masterminded by Bulgari’s finest industrial designers, engineers and experts, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is destined to play a central role in the performances of Bulgari timepieces of the future.” –Source: OCTO BVLGARI ROMA, marketing brochure, 2015

A year later, they reworded the text. It basically says the same thing, but it’s interesting to compare nonetheless:

“Bulgari introduces the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191), a movement of complex simplicity. The Solotempo, Italian for “only time,” reports the hour, minute, second and date with high performance and infallible precision. With its mastery of this caliber, revered for its singular purity, Bulgari makes it look simple. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191), created in 2013, represents a new definition of accuracy, even for Bulgari. Conceived, developed and manufactured completely in-house, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is an example of what happens when Swiss watchmaking savoir-faire is combined with Italian aesthetic genius. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) mechanical movement is automatically wound by a ceramic wheel weight that oscillates on ceramic ball bearings. With an instant date changer, it also features a stop-seconds device to block the balance when the crown is pulled out. The expertly engineered caliber is equipped with a disconnecting system to avoid wear on the pinions, which also saves energy when the winding system is activated by the crown or the oscillating weight. Masterminded by Bulgari’s finest industrial designers and engineers, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is destined to play a central role in the Bulgari timepieces of the future.” –Source: OCTO BVLGARI ROMA, marketing brochure, 2016

If you’re not tired of reading Bulgari marketing copy, we could continue to take it a step further and compare the above descriptions to 2017’s:

“Bulgari introduces the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191), a movement of complex simplicity. The Solotempo, Italian for “only time”, records the hour, minute, second and date, with high performance and infallible precision. In its mastery of this caliber, revered for its singular purity in timekeeping, Bulgari makes it look simple. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) has become synonymous with the new definition of Bulgari accuracy since 2013. Conceived, developed and manufactured completely in-house, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is an example of what acute savoir-faire can produce, in the exquisite aesthetic of the Italian Genius. The Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) mechanical movement is automatically wound via a ceramic, ball bearing-mounted oscillating wheel weight. With an instant date changer, it also features a stop-seconds device to block the balance when the crown is pulled out. The expertly engineered calibre is equipped with a disconnecting system to avoid wear on the pinions; this saves energy when the winding system is in action via the crown or the oscillating weight. Master minded by Bulgari’s finest industrial designers, engineer s and experts, the Solotempo caliber (BVL 191) is destined to play a central role in the performance of Bulgari timepieces in the future .” –Source: OCTO BVLGARI ROMA, marketing brochure, 2017

Off-Topic: It would be interesting to A-B test the copy above and see if the changes had any effect on sales. Although, do watch collectors really even read those things entirely before making a buying decision?

Additional Resources:

• More Bulgari watch movements