Bulgari’s Lvcea Notte di Luce turns Urushi lacquer into a field of light

For the Lvcea Notte di Luce references 104290 and 104243, Bulgari worked with Japanese Urushi master Yasuhiro Asai. Tiny fragments of mother-of-pearl are set into layers of black lacquer using the Raden technique, then polished until the dial appears to scatter light from within. Because the fragments are selected and placed by hand, no two dials are identical.

The 33mm case combines stainless steel and rose gold, with 1.075 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel and a pink-sapphire cabochon crown. An automatic movement provides hours, minutes, seconds and a stated 48-hour reserve, while water resistance is 50 metres. A polished and satin-brushed two-tone bracelet completes the watch. Each reference is limited to 80 pieces; pricing was not publicly listed.