The Italian Air Force and Bvlgari, two symbols of Italian excellence known worldwide, have joined forces to pay tribute to the Italian national colors and in the spirit of solidarity, presenting a special timepiece: the Bvlgari Aluminium Tricolore. It perfectly combines professionalism and values, and takes on even greater significance in the current COVID-19 emergency that Italy, like other countries, is facing.

Bvlgari will donate all proceeds from the sale of each of the 50 numbered limited edition pieces to the Italian Air Force's fundraising project, "Un dono dal cielo" ("Gift from Heaven"). The Italian Air Force launched this project during the announcement of the centennial celebrations (2020-2021) of the declaration of Our Lady of Loreto as "Patroness of all aviators." The funds raised will support three Italian children's hospitals: the Gianina Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, the Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome, and the Santo Buono Pausilipon Hospital in Naples. A limited run of 1,000 unserialized pieces will be available starting in December 2020. The launch of this limited edition collection and the charitable efforts that drive it are no coincidence. It coincides with these challenging times, which are deeply affecting the world. Italy, symbolized by Bvlgari and the Italian Air Force, with its Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. From the early stages of the crisis, both companies have been supporting the country in their respective fields. Bvlgari has been actively involved in the fight against COVID-19, donating hand cleansing gel to hospitals across Italy and providing cutting-edge microscopes to the Spallanzani Hospital in Rome and the University of Oxford in the UK, both of which are on the front lines of COVID-19 research. While fulfilling its overriding mission of protecting the country's airspace, the Italian Air Force, like other military forces, has tangibly contributed all its resources and capabilities to the complex rescue strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transport and rescue helicopter crews, as well as teams of specialized doctors and nurses, worked tirelessly day and night. Initially, their primary mission was the repatriation of Chinese and Japanese nationals in Italy. Later, their role expanded to include the isolation of infected individuals (biological containment), by transferring them to hospitals equipped to receive them, and the rapid deployment of medical personnel and equipment throughout the country. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team also played a key role during the most serious period of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an ultimate "embrace" (a reference to their flight tour entitled "Abracchio Tricolore" - a three-coloured embrace), they flew across Italy from north to south, over the skies of various capital cities. The project culminated on June 2, 2020, the Italian Republic's National Day, when the team's tricolour flag was unfurled over Rome. The project was strongly supported by Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini. Defense Minister Guerini hoped that this flight performance would provide moral support to the public, and by using the national colors so dear to the Italian people, he sought to rekindle a sense of belonging, solidarity, and collective awareness of the community throughout society.

The Italian Air Force's charitable program for three Italian children's hospitals is perfectly aligned with the numerous social contribution projects that Rome-based high jeweler Bvlgari implements around the world. This unprecedented and original collaboration will foster positive and powerful synergies and serve as an inspirational example to the public.

Each of the 11 special edition watches will come with a certificate and be engraved with the same identification number as the Frecce Tricolori aircraft (Pony 0 to 10). As a symbol of this entire initiative, the Pony 0 watch will be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Gaetano Farina, commander of the Frecce Tricolori, on behalf of the entire Italian Air Force. This Pony 0, along with Pony 1, dedicated to the Frecce Tricolori's chief training officer's plane, and Pony 10, dedicated to the solo pilot, will be auctioned at Christie's Italy in December, contributing to this movement for unity.

Bvlgari Group CEO Jean-Christophe Babin emphasized the importance of the role the Frecce Tricolori played in promoting true unity at a time when national unity was fundamentally shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, saying:
"Italy has given Bvlgari so much, it is only natural that we give back."

The commander of the Frecce Tricolori commented as follows:
"Like all Air Force branches, the Frecce Tricolori's team flights, training and performances, and the tricolor they paint across the sky, are symbols of something the Italian people hold dear. Like all the other initiatives undertaken by Bulgari, we are delighted that our unit can take part in this wonderful program which sends a powerful message of hope and provides practical support."


"Bulgari Aluminium Tricolore"
Item number and price: SAP103514 - 325,000 yen (excluding tax)
Movement: Caliber B77 mechanical movement, automatic winding, date display, 42-hour power reserve
Case diameter: 40mm Aluminum case, engraved titanium caseback, blue rubber bezel, titanium crown
Dial: Warm gray dial, SNL (Super-LumiNova) hour markers and hands, special TRICOLORE logo indexes and hands
Bracelet: Blue rubber bracelet with aluminum links, aluminum pin buckle, and a dedicated aluminum and rubber presentation box
Water resistance: 100m
Release date: December 2020



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