Serpenti
Bulgari's most iconic jewellery-watch line, conceived as a coiled serpent whose scales form the bracelet and whose head opens to reveal the dial. First appeared in the 1940s as a gold tubogas creation and formalised into the Serpenti collection from 1962. Beloved by Elizabeth Taylor and still the purest expression of Italian haute joaillerie fused with timekeeping.
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Serpenti is Bulgari's snake-motif jewelry watch for women, originating in the 1940s. The watch movement is concealed within a sculptural snake-form bracelet or case. It is a jewelry-first, watch-second object. Evaluated in the jewelry-watch category, not the mechanical watch category.
- 1Open
Serpenti Seduttori -- jewelry watch category; evaluated as wearable art, not as a horological instrument.
- The case for it:
- The Serpenti is Bulgari's oldest design archetype and one of the most recognizable jewelry watches in the world. For buyers in the jewelry-watch category, it is the genuine article.
- Consider instead if:
- If you are buying this as a watch, you are buying the wrong object. Mechanical watch collectors looking at the Bulgari catalog should look at the Octo Finissimo instead.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.