It is ahead of its time yet shows the exact time. It is precious, yet does not sparkle. It is part of a well-known and admired range, yet it is novel and indeed unique. Its name? Diagono Ultranero. 

Intended for intensive daily use, geared towards efficiency yet without renouncing refinement and elegance, the three-counter Diagono chronographs are designed to accompany their owner to the highest levels of performance and precision. The name itself conveys a sense of destiny, since Diagono comes from the Ancient Greek root “agon”, synonymous with competition.

The first Diagono watch presented by Bulgari a quarter-century ago was already intriguing: above and beyond its classic dial design inspired by Myron’s Discobolus (Disc Thrower) statue, a universal sports symbol embodying the cultural heritage of ancient athletes, the case itself was made of aluminium. This light and sturdy material is a longstanding favourite in the world of competition such as motor sports, but had thus far been curiously absent from that of luxury Haute Horlogerie.

By actually spelling out its name on the bezel, as was its custom for the most emblematic watch creations from the famous Rome-based High Jewellery company, Bulgari gave this model an outstanding pedigree with a collection of distinctive chronograph watches – now rejuvenated in 2014 by four singular variations based on today’s high-tech carbon and ceramic materials.

The deliberately contemporary design features a 42 mm round steel case with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) surface treatment, known for its resistance to wear and tear including scratching, appears in a deep black shade for these four new versions. Fitted with rubber straps reinforced by satin-brushed steel inserts, these multi-purpose wristwatches that are water-resistant to 100 metres will be equally at ease on the wrist of a frogman in his diving suit as on that of a prince charming wearing a dinner jacket.

Each model takes on yellow, red, white or gold-toned  colour accents to enhance readability by creating subtle contrasts. The chronograph sweep-seconds hand, the minute track and the subdial graduations are distinctly different on each of the timepieces, yet without perturbing the characteristically harmony and visual unity of the Diagono line.  The Super-Luminova coating also enhances legibility of the measurement functions driven by steel pushers, as well as the date appearing in an aperture.

The four chronographs, produced in Switzerland by the Manufacture Bulgari, are powered by the same mechanism: Calibre B130, a 37-jewel self-winding movement with a balance oscillating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Available as of spring 2014, the Diagono Ultranero chronographs have a 42-hour power reserve: let the adventures begin!

Diagono Ultranero Chronograph

• Steel case with DLC treatment (Diamond Like Carbon), 42mm diameter ; 18ct pink gold bezel or black ceramics depending on the version; 18ct pink gold screwed-in crown or in steel and black ceramics, black ceramics or steel pushers ; 100m waterproof.
• Mechanical automatic winding movement, Caliber B130, 28'800 Vph, 42 hours power reserve; hours and minutes, chronograph central hand; seconds, hours and minutes counters. 
• Black dial with indexes and hands pink gold treated, or black dial with indexes and hands rhodium plated and Superluminova® ; chronograph hand, counters figures and second track respectively yellow, red or Superluminova® treated.
• Monoblock rubber bracelet with stainless steel links and ardillon buckle, DLC treated for the 18ct pink gold bezel version.