ReviewSecret Seduction: Presenting Bulgari’s Serpenti Misteriosi Secret Bangle

When it comes to functional jewellery, one need look no further than Bulgari, the Italian watchmaker known for their stunning bejewelled timepieces, and particularly those that take the form of a snake—the Serpenti series. Whether the timepiece coils seductively around the wrist once (or multiple times), boldly wraps over a broader cuff bracelet, or hides mysteriously in a beautifully bejewelled reptilian bangle, Bulgari have managed to tame the snake in a way no other watchmaker has. The Serpenti Misteriosi Secret Bangle is a fine example of this. It’s a gorgeous rose gold bangle in the shape of Bulgari’s iconic snake with a ‘secret’ watch face hidden under it hood, inside its mouth. A bold accessory, the Misteriosi Secret Bangle still exhibits the understated elegance associated with Bulgari’s Serpenti timepieces.

The Rise Of Reptilian Elegance

The association of various cultures and the snake is almost as old as time. Ancient Greeks and Romans associated the reptile with rebirth and regeneration, while Egyptians considered it a symbol of divinity and power, even decorating pharaohs’ foreheads with snakes as a mark of their authority. Inspired by this mysterious and commanding reptile, Italian jeweller and watchmaker Bulgari introduced the Serpenti collection in 1948, crafting the body of the snake with their Tubogas (Italian translation: flexible metal piping) technique, and hid the watch under the snake’s hood.

In 1962, actress Elizabeth Taylor, wore a Bulgari Serpenti timepiece to the filming of her 1963 movie, Cleopatra

It may be argued that the jewelled watch has attained celebrity status itself, for the Serpenti, with its multiple coils around any wrist, is instantly identifiable

In 1962, actress Elizabeth Taylor, wore a Serpenti timepiece to the filming of her 1963 movie, Cleopatra, and the Serpenti made almost as many headlines as the film, or the actress, who, incidentally, was one third of a raging love triangle back then. Anyway, the reptilian watch really became known then, but has since adorned numerous celebrities—at red carpet events or otherwise. So much so, it may be argued that the jewelled watch has attained celebrity status itself, for the Serpenti, with its multiple coils around any wrist, is instantly identifiable. A symbol of seduction and power of a different kind, the Serpenti created a reputation for the brand way before their Octo line came along and became Bulgari’s most acclaimed timepiece.

Much like the symbolism of transformation, which stems directly from the snake’s ability to shed its skin, emerging as a fresh, new creature once the old veneer has been removed, Bulgari’s Serpenti has re-emerged with a new skin, year after year. The essence of the snake, however, remains the same

Much like the symbolism of transformation, which stems directly from the snake’s ability to shed its skin, emerging as a fresh, new creature once the old veneer has been removed, Bulgari’s Serpenti has re-emerged with a new skin, year after year. The essence of the snake, however, remains the same.

Misteriosi: A Mysterious Bangle With A Secret

For those who believe the snake coiling around the wrist is too ‘over-the-top’ or too recognisable, when the intent is to make a statement, there’s the Misteriosi Secret Bangle watch—a simple jewel-encrusted rose gold bangle, with a watch hidden in the snake’s mouth, which works beautifully as an accessory for the boardroom or a night out on the town. The hinged and partially-skeletonised snake’s head on the bangle is decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, and beautifully contrasted with amethysts with an elongated baguette-cut, set in a hexagonal snake scale-like pattern, with special tear-drop shaped amethysts for the eyes. This hexagonal pattern, set partially with diamonds, continues around the length of the partially-skeletonised bangle, giving the piece a glamorous yet subdued aesthetic.

The bangle is decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds and beautifully contrasted with baguette-cut amethysts in a hexagonal snake scale-like pattern

₹56,00,000

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In a matching hexagonal rose gold pattern is the mother-of-pearl dial, visible on flipping open the snake’s head

₹56,00,000

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The hinged and partially-skeletonised snake’s head has special tear-drop shaped amethysts for the eyes

₹56,00,000

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Also decorated with a matching hexagonal rose gold pattern is the mother-of-pearl dial, visible on flipping open the snake’s head. The case measures 36mm, which is slim enough to look almost-completely invisible on even a narrow wrist. The watch is powered by a quartz movement, which, given the overall aesthetic and gemstones on it, fits perfectly within the Misteriosi Secret Bangle. With rose gold hands and no markers, the only other decoration on the dial is the brand’s logo.

With the right number of diamonds and amethysts to draw enough attention to make a statement, but avoid the unnecessary kind, this Misteriosi Secret Bangle is the epitome of functional jewellery

In true Bulgari style, this slender snake makes a striking impression as it wraps itself seductively around the wearer’s wrist—just once. With the right number of diamonds and amethysts to draw enough attention to make a statement, but avoid the unnecessary kind, this Misteriosi Secret Bangle is the epitome of functional jewellery.