MB&F celebrates its 25th anniversary in style with a series of new releases. The first was the launch of the Legacy Machine Longhorn editions nearly a month ago. Today, the brand partners with Bulgari to unveil the Bulgari x MB&F Serpenti, a fresh interpretation of the Italian jeweler’s iconic creation.
For this second act, Bulgari and MB&F present three distinct variations of their reimagined Serpenti: grade 5 titanium with “blue eyes,” black PVD-coated stainless steel with “red eyes,” and 18K rose gold with “green eyes.” Each edition is limited to just 33 pieces.
First introduced in 1948, Bulgari’s Serpenti has become a symbol of elegance and transformation. This latest reinterpretation, brought to life through MB&F’s kinetic watchmaking expertise, redefines the boundaries of traditional timepieces. Translating the Serpenti’s sinuous silhouette into MB&F’s horological language was no small feat. The intricately designed case, with its complex curves and shaped sapphire crystals exposing the movement, proved to be a “machining nightmare.” MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser and Bulgari’s Director of Watch Design, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, embarked on a meticulous design journey. Through hundreds of sketches and numerous 3D-printed models, they perfected a seamless fusion of form and function.
The result is a fluid, biomorphic case that captures the hypnotic motion of a serpent. From every angle, it reveals a distinct perspective—much like a high-performance automobile sculpted for aerodynamics. Crafting this intricate design required extensive 5-axis 3D milling to shape both the metal case and the five sapphire crystals that form the serpent’s “eyes” and body.
The watch displays the main hours and minutes, with a power reserve indicator on the back, powered by a manual-winding movement developed in-house by MB&F. The Serpenti’s eyes function as rotating hour and minute domes, crafted from ultra-thin aluminum— the left eye completes a full rotation every 12 hours, while the right rotates hourly. At its core, an oversized 14mm flying balance wheel, beating at 2.5Hz, symbolizes the creature’s brain, supported by a three-dimensional bridge bearing both brands’ signatures. Crafted from ultra-light aluminum, these components are adorned with Super-LumiNova, allowing the serpent’s gaze to glow in the dark.
Bulgari x MB&F Serpenti
Diameter: 53 x 39 mm
Height: 18 mm
Material: Titanium, PVD-coated stainless steel, or rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m
Movement: HM Serpenti
Functions: Hours, minutes, and power reserve indicator
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 45 hours
Strap: Hand-stitched rubber strap with matching buckle
Limited edition: 33 pieces in each metal
Availability: Bulgari boutiques, MB&F retailers and M.A.D Galleries
Price: US$148,000 (titanium or steel), US$170,000 (rose gold)