BVLGARI Aluminium GMT X Fender Limited Edition Watch and Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition BVLGARI Stratocaster
Bvlgari, a Swiss watchmaker with a deeply Roman soul, and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation’s (FMIC) Fender Custom Shop (FCS), have partnered to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Stratocaster with the launch of the BVLGARI Aluminium GMT x Fender® Limited Edition watch and the Fender® Custom Shop Limited Edition Bvlgari Stratocaster® guitar.
Bvlgari captures the essence of Italian style through exceptional timepieces. Fender, the world’s leading guitar manufacturer, takes the art of customisation to the highest level through the craftsmanship and innovation of the Custom Shop. These two iconic Maisons have naturally united around their passion for creating unique objects, with meticulous skill and precision, and their shared ability to inspire and connect through extraordinary instruments passed down through generations. Bvlgari and Fender Custom Shop celebrate BVLGARI Aluminium and the Stratocaster®, two timeless design icons that have become cultural symbols, in homage to the 70th anniversary of the legendary Stratocaster® guitar.
To mark this 70th anniversary, Bvlgari has created a special BVLGARI Aluminium GMT x Fender® Limited Edition watch set, and Fender® Custom Shop has crafted a limited series of just 70 Fender® Custom Shop Limited Edition Bulgari Stratocaster® guitars – exceptional creations intended especially for their historic collector communities.
“The Fender® Stratocaster® has been at the forefront of musical progress and sonic exploration for the last 70 years, and to celebrate its anniversary, we wanted to partner with a brand with a similarly rich history in its respective field,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product, FMIC. “With that in mind, we couldn’t be prouder to unveil this collaboration with BVLGARI. The resulting Stratocaster® and watch are stunning, and we’re sure fans of both brands will be very excited by the prospect of adding them to their collections.”
“As enthusiasts of both horology and music, we naturally joined up with Fender for a collaboration that transcends aesthetics; it’s a celebration of heritage, design and innovation,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari. “This collaboration is the fusion of two iconic legacies. The BVLGARI Aluminium GMT x Fender® Limited Edition watch is a precision instrument, close to a finely tuned guitar. It features advanced GMT functionality for tracking time across time zones, reflecting the dynamic lifestyle of musicians and travelers alike. Housed in our iconic aluminum and titanium case, this limited edition symbolizes a harmonious journey through time and sound.”
In tribute to the legendary Stratocaster®, the BVLGARI Aluminium GMT takes the stage in the original colors of this iconic guitar. The sunburst finish – a nod to one of Fender’s signature lacquered looks – and the same creamy white hue bring this limited edition of 1200 watches to life. The brown rubber bezel, the second time zone – dark brown for nighttime and creamy white for daytime hours – and the rhodium-plated and polished indices and hands, reminiscent of guitar frets, attune the BVLGARI Aluminium GMT to with the legendary Stratocaster®. Backstage, the Swiss mechanical calibre keeps time across the world. Bvlgari also redesigned the model’s Velcro strap, for a perfect fit even during the most intense riffs. The ‘Fender®’ inscription on the DLC-coated titanium case back underscores the incredible power of music to unite and resonate, day and night, across the globe.
The Limited Edition Bvlgari Stratocaster® celebrates the 70th anniversary of the instrument by artfully embracing the inventive yet nostalgic design approach showcased on the limited-run Bvlgari Aluminum GMT x Fender® Watch. From the quintessential mid-‘50s Wide-Fade Chocolate 2-Color Sunburst lacquer finish, to the quartersawn maple neck and flat-laminated rosewood fingerboard, this guitar highlights some of the most sought-after and notable “Golden Era” Strat® features. The direct-mounted Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’54 Strat® pickups and uniquely shaped 1-ply parchment pickguard provide more modern-facing designs—mirroring the essence of Bvlgari’s watch collaboration, evoking a sense of refreshing new aesthetics with a timeless look and feel.
Additional premium features include NOS lacquer finish, 2-piece select ash body with off-center seam, 07/54 Soft “V” back-shape, Vintage Compound 7.25” to 9.5″ (184 mm to 241 mm) radius, 21 medium vintage (47095) frets, Modern Stratocaster® wiring, 5-way switch, Fender® Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, wing string tree, custom engraved BVLGARI neckplate, deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity.
On August 30th, 2024, Bvlgari will launch the limited series BVLGARI Aluminium GMT x Fender® Limited Edition with 140 sets (70 for each of the two time zones on the BVLGARI Aluminium GMT). These will comprise the limited edition BVLGARI Aluminium GMT watch, its bespoke case whose design was inspired by iconic guitar cases, and a book tracing the 70-year history of the Stratocaster®. Fender will produce 70 custom Stratocaster® guitars at its Fender® Custom Shop in Corona, California.