The FIRST delivered Bulgari Calibro 303, Porsche Carrera GT and women(part1 of 2)

Jul 10, 2008,17:58 PM
 

OK..wow.

First off...I am overwhelmed with the actual production piece of the 303.

All pics seen so far were the "carmay" blank display. I took delivery on 10th July of my very own 303 at 430pm.

Joined a party to celebrate the arrival of the watch in Johore...with a celebratory ride in the Porsche Carrera GT to baptise the watch!!! With dust and fresh air!!

Here..the delivery of the watch...and the soundtrack of "Satisfaction" will best suit this..more..







Before the sunsets!!!
Before the sunsets!!!


the watch after the ride!!! Dust and a towel..
the watch after the ride!!! Dust and a towel..


Food and a bunch of WIS..this guy here in red has a Lange 1a
Food and a bunch of WIS..this guy here in red has a Lange 1a


Malaysian owners of exotic cars
Malaysian owners of exotic cars


Swiss and chinese pals who love watches and super cars
Swiss and chinese pals who love watches and super cars


Drinks!!!
Drinks!!!


303
303


Now for the first 3 hours of ownership.

I am soooo glad I decided to buy this watch.

There are times in which I review or write about a watch, and it ends there. This one, the story continues.

Everything, evry millimetre of the watch is preciously satisfying.

I have been looking for a super watch that real life people, who are NOT crazy to buy 100,000 dollar watches can experience the same magic.

These guys who are with me, they are not real WIS..they can afford an expensive watch, but would stop at either a Rolex or an AP..or a RM 005 at the VERY most.

Tonight...all were convinced that the 303 blows away or at least stands tall up there with the uber expensive watches...it has that magic, that weight, the feel...

Look at the dial and the matt appearance of the case band with the brushed finish!!

The solid gold hands with the grey dial.

The color of the dial is undefinenable..making it not black nor white.

Observe the DEPTH of the dial from the crystal...a deliberate design move...clever and bloody effective.

Note the MASS and HEFT that is visual, and immediately supplemented by touch and feel.

The bracelet...superb comfort. Typical Bulgari.

It is neither sports watch or dress watch..just a superb piece.

ALREADY...I hear news that a BIG retailer is ordering a ltd edition of the watch!


 



























The watch is simply INCREDIBLY finished.

At the places that matter for most.

Do not expect Patek or Dufour finish in the movement, but superb AP, Rolex level finish at those places.


 












There are no words for my satisfaction.

All I can say is after just a few hours, and taking pics of this watch is that....I highly recomend this to even the MOST jaded, most synical, most tired of collectors..and of course to the people who want ONE watch and never another one again...and as an alternative to Rolex, at the same price point!!!

I never felt so enthusiastic about a watch for such a long time.

Yes, I love the MBF and Freak and Antiqua, but those are art pieces, they cost the price of an apartment or car.

The 303...it is affordable.

I just feel good that Bulgari did not price it way high..as it could have seeing what I see on the market these days.

The watch deserves a price mush higher!!!

If anything..I highly recomend anyone looking to understand high end watch making, to look at this piece.

This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2008-07-15 07:12:26


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The FIRST delivered Bulgari Calibro 303, Porsche Carrera GT and women(part1 of 2)

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 10th, 2008-17:58
OK..wow. First off...I am overwhelmed with the actual production piece of the 303. All pics seen so far were the "carmay" blank display. I took delivery on 10th July of my very own 303 at 430pm. Joined a party to celebrate the arrival of the watch in Joho...

congrats on the new watch

 
 By: SteveH : July 10th, 2008-19:50
the giant "Bulgari" around the bezel pretty much guarantees I will never be owning one, but I do look forward to seeing one in the metal.

Thanks Steve..much more to come nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:15

Congrats Bernard and thanks for the elaborate post and big pics...

 
 By: Kong : July 10th, 2008-20:35
from the side profile, much efforts have been put in....will check it out. With just 3 hours, the deployant was really dusty. How did you do that? Kong

Dust from Carrera GT man!! nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:31

Congrats on your 303, Bernard!

 
 By: LCDW : July 10th, 2008-20:42
Waiting for mine but not same with yours, should be last quarter...hope Fulvio remembers..ha ha if never arrive, budget goes to other piece then ho ho..

Fulvio and Richard won't forget you nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:31

Congrats Bernard on a good looking piece ! [nt]

 
 By: GH1 : July 10th, 2008-22:29
No message body

Thanks...more soon. nt [nt]

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:30

That is what I call a post "ala Bernard"!

 
 By: amanico : July 10th, 2008-22:42
Perfectly written, full of nice pics, a lot of enthusiasm...And nice people! Co,grats, Bernard for the new watch, and as often, thanks for sharing with us your love for watches! Best. Nicolas

High mag, close ups coming soon! nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:29

congrats bernard

 
 By: raphmeister : July 11th, 2008-06:40
not my kind of watch as i never had a liking for the "bvlgari bvlgari" words around the bezel... but great and enthusiastic post cheers raph

Thanks for a passionate write up as always...

 
 By: Gaz : July 11th, 2008-09:44
While your enthusiasm for a new watch is always intoxicating, I must say this one swooshes over my head at about 300km/h. Certainly not my poison but I am glad it floats your boat. Gaz

Interesting mixture of metaphors there Gaz.

 
 By: tony p : July 11th, 2008-15:53
Bulgari are these days doing some cool things, horologically speaking. Admittedly much of it is leveraged off the expertise they acquired when they purchased DR/GG. Still, when an in-house calibre goes into casework manufactured to the exacting standards ...

It was late...

 
 By: Gaz : July 11th, 2008-21:04

Piguet 1185 (nt)

 
 By: ei8htohms : July 12th, 2008-12:44

Great to see Bvlgari excitement

 
 By: Park : July 11th, 2008-09:53
Bernard, Thanks for all of your posts on this watch. My first good watch was a Bvlgari Diagano chronograph that I loved for years and that my eldest son now wears. After discovering the PuristS, trying every favored brand, and becoming an AP collector, my...

Having had the chance to examine the watch carefully...

 
 By: SJX : July 12th, 2008-03:58
I have to agree with Bernard. The dial design does take some getting used to, but the construction of the dial is impressive for a Bvlgari watch. What I found even more notable was the case, the finish of the case and bracelet is excellent; the detailing ...

SJX. Thanks for the crystallised analysis! nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 12th, 2008-17:23

Beautiful watch Bernard!

 
 By: palmasea : July 12th, 2008-13:03
You are at it again, Bernard, crossing the line into the controversial....and fiinding gold! That is one beautiful watch, wear it in good health! There is nothing like family and friends to better enjoy your watch(es). All the best, palmasea

That's quite an endorsement!

 
 By: Mostel : July 12th, 2008-15:55
I will have to unlock my mind... to Bulgari. I think the Bezel with the name so big... always turned me away... it seemed like a 'nouveau riche' sort of statement... but if you tell me to go see this watch Bernard, I surrender! I will go see this watch wi...

I agree, Mostel, the 'Bezel...'

 
 By: palmasea : July 12th, 2008-16:47
has always steered me away from buying more Bvlgari's. I owned a two-tone chronograph with a white face, and I can honestly say it was very well made, always super accurate, and nicely designed. Lately, this mixture of grays and steel with slight touches ...

Nice watch & post!

 
 By: Peter  : July 12th, 2008-18:01
Congrats & thks for sharing

Buying a watch relieves stress!!! nt

 
 By: bernard cheong : July 13th, 2008-21:55