Bulgari unveils Maglia Milanese Monete, a new secret watch pairing ancient coin and Milanese mesh

Bulgari unveils the Maglia Milanese Monete, a high-jewellery secret watch combining Milanese mesh, an ancient Roman coin and the Piccolissimo calibre

At LVMH Watch Week, Bulgari introduced the Maglia Milanese Monete, a mechanical secret watch paired with a matching Milanese mesh bracelet, bringing together jewellery craftsmanship and fine watchmaking.

The Maglia Milanese Monete revisits the Monete concept first introduced by Bulgari in the mid-1960s. 

At its centre sits an authentic ancient silver coin dating from 198 to 297 AD, depicting Emperor Caracalla. This historic element anchors the watch in Roman heritage while serving as a focal point for a broader exploration of Milanese mesh.

Formed from finely interlaced gold threads, Milanese mesh is a technique developed by goldsmiths during the Renaissance. 

While long associated with jewellery, it had never been highlighted in this way by Bulgari. Here, its exceptional suppleness is given a contemporary interpretation, paired with the Monete concept and the warm glow of rose gold.

The design reveals an eclectic interplay of motifs: the symbolism of the ancient coin, the geometric purity of the octagon, and the refined texture of the mesh. 

For the first time within the Monete collection, Bulgari has opted for a pin buckle, reinforcing the jewel-watch’s distinctive character.

Blending its Roman goldsmithing heritage with Swiss watchmaking expertise, Bulgari equips this precious creation with the Piccolissimo BVP100 calibre. 

Developed specifically for compact, high-jewellery timepieces, this hand-wound movement measures just 13.50 mm in diameter, 2.50 mm in thickness, and weighs only 1.9 grams.

Designed and produced entirely in Le Sentier, the 102-component calibre—first introduced in 2022—appears here in a revised version featuring crown winding and a sapphire caseback that reveals its finely finished architecture. 

Operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour), it delivers a power reserve of 30 hours.

The Bulgari Maglia Milanese Monete is crafted in rose gold and set with brilliant-cut diamonds on the case (0.50 ct) and crown (0.06 ct). 

The white mother-of-pearl dial features twelve diamond hour markers (0.10 ct) and rose gold-plated hands, completing a creation that seamlessly bridges antiquity, jewellery artistry and contemporary haute horlogerie. bulgari.com

Suggested reading:

• The history of Bulgari watches
• Bulgari Monete Catene Secret Watches