Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches Tuesday 14th September 2021

T uesday 14 th S eptember 2021 . S tarting at 6 pm 80 The iconic flexible gold braid of the Tubogas shape debuted in the 1940s, and has since become a signature of the brand, seen in everything from Bulgari’s bracelets and watches to their rings. In creating the Tubogas, Bulgari took advantage of the great malleability of yellow gold to produce a work of art, revolutionising the concept of movement in jewellery. The Tubogas shape is formed by wrapping long bands of gold around a wood or copper core over several hours of highly skilled craftsmanship. The technique was developed in Italy in the late 1930s and ingeniously mimics industrial gas piping.The origin of its name derives from a clever take on the Italian tubo gas, literally translating as ‘gas tube’.As the bands are coiled, their rounded contours interlock to conceal their inner structure, creating a smooth and fluid finish.The result of such intricate craftsmanship is supple, springy and comfortable, with the sleek and sensual appearance of a serpent’s twist which allows the metal to expand or contract with the shape of the wearers wrist or finger. From the time of its first launch, the creation of the Tubgogas bracelet marked the Roman jewellery house as an innovator. Since then, the continued success of theTubogas is testament to its flawless design and desirability. This particular piece is a variation of the original Serpenti Tubogas bracelet which emerged in the 1950s, during which time Bulgari began to experiment with more abstractTubogas pieces.The yellow gold bands are characteristically juxtaposed with unusual colour combinations of contrasting precious gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds or coral. The SerpentiTubogas and other forms of theTubogas silhouette continue to be hugely popular today. Despite their many incarnations since the 1940s original bracelets and timepieces, the core craftsmanship of creating such a piece remains exactly the same. Made in the largest jewellery manufacturing facility in Europe at Bulgari’sValenza workshop, Bulgari have since experimented with different materials to create unique chromatic effects, including yellow gold and white gold or yellow gold and steel alternating on the wrist. Irrespective of what development the Tubogas will move towards next, it remains a beacon of jewellery innovation, a feat of crafts- manship and an integral element of Bulgari’s design identity.