In this age of hyper-information and the ever-changing parameters of luxury, it takes a great design to stand the test of time. Bulgari's Tubogas is a truly stable product but also a concept that has been used in jewellery since 1870.
Like the greatest designs, Tubogas is a design inspired by the logic of function. It eschewed the decorative spirals and swirls of previous jewelry styles. The extremely flexible bracelet simulated the fold of a snake's coiled body.
It was christened Tubogas because of its resemblance to a humble woven metal gas pipe that appeared in homes across the country with the advent of the natural gas pipeline.
Today, Bulgari celebrates the durability of Tubogas, which has exceeded its expected lifespan. It has become a symbol of authenticity, tradition and craftsmanship. Capturing the Zeitgeist of an era of exciting upheaval, industrial optimism and the renewed role of women in society, Tubogas reached a turning point that transformed it from a fashion icon to an icon.
In the late 1940s, designers at Bulgari's headquarters in Rome decided to introduce a watch to the modern snake bracelets of the Art Deco period. The result was the birth of this bite watch.
The first Serpenti watches were presented on an ergonomic Tubogas gold bracelet.
It helped that Elizabeth Taylor was a fan and Diane Vreeland loved the design. Still countless divas have since adorned themselves with the empowering simplicity of Tubogas jewelry, which became a metaphor for the era.
Throughout the generations, Tubogas was strikingly recognisable, but kept subtly in the news, always in the same idiom. 16 new arrivals combine elements from existing collections, including Serpenti, Monete, Bulgari Bulgari and Parentesi. They are based on the Roman cobblestone motif, as well as the house's famous coloured gemstones. Thus creating new iterations of Tubogas.
Each project celebrates the helical flexibility of Tubogas. They are made of gold strips that are seamlessly joined together without any welding. So as to create a fluid coil that wraps around the body.
The new bracelets, chokers and earrings are made from the traditional yellow gold that the house loves. They are embellished with gold diamond studs or a Parentesi diamond motif. Another version features all three colours of gold for a bold and contemporary look.
Bulgari's ultra-rich gemstones are set in chokers with tanzanite, chaborit or rubellite. They are framed by geometric patterns of hard stones, such as turquoise or pearl, and are set with diamonds.
The famous Serpenti is wrapped around the neck and finger with an elastic Tubogas body.
The snake's diamond head snaps the tail of its body. So as to create a sensual double-wrapped choker with a hint of danger.
A Bulgari Tubogas watch consists of a trio of coils of red, white and yellow gold wrapped three times around the wrist. The dial of the watch is designed by Bulgari, with the logo inscribed twice around the bezel.
The amazing Black Eagle choker stands out with six Tubogas coils mounted on the neck.
The top thread is white gold, while the five lower threads are gold plated with a black DLC finish. The funnel-shaped choker is adorned with dozens of diamonds in white gold for a dazzling and striking effect.
Tubogas continues to inspire Bulgari's designers. As a result, they create ever more stunning and original designs that have become a trademark of the brand. The arrival of the new Bulgari jewellery confirms the iconic status of Tubogas and its infinite design possibilities.
Source: thejewelleryeditor.com
