BVLGARI DIAGONO – my new love
Hi everyone!!
I am super excited tonight because I found the watch of my dreams! The BVLGARI Diagono!!! Sigh…isn’t it perfect? I wish I was wearing it right now.
Here is a picture of it:
BVLGARI DIAGONO
When I first saw it on the website, I wasn’t head over heels for it. A mere picture doesn’t do it justice! But that isn’t the watch’s fault 
. As with most watches, you can’t tell what they really look like until you see it in person and wear it and look at yourself in the mirror with it on. Once I held it and put it on, I was forever smitten. This watch looks amazing in real life and pictures can’t show off it’s awesomeness!!!!!!!!
Here are the specs:
| Movement | Mechanical with automatic winding. 42 hours power reserve. |
| Function | Hours, minutes, seconds and date. |
| Case | 38 mm titanium and aluminum. |
| Dial | Dark gray carbon fiber. |
| Bracelet | Rubber and titanium. |
One of the coolest things about the Diagono is that it is titanium and rubber and so it weighs nothing! It as so light that I couldn’t tell it was on; I’m used to wearing heavier watches. And the links on the strap make it fit my wrist so comfortably! The 38mm size it PERFECT for me, I cant even describe how great it fits. I will try to get a picture of it on me and post it. I haven’t bought the watch yet, so that might not be too easy .
The carbon fiber face gives it an awesome edginess that I am totally into, and very motorsport-esque . Amazingly, all the colors (titanium, rubber, carbon fiber face, black letters, and the dial) all match so beautifully. In the picture about it looks like there is a lot going on and it might be all over the place, but it is not. All of the colors and textures come together in a beautiful, refined, and amazing way.
AND, it is only $2,900.00! Holy %$&**@#$!!! That is CHEAP! I mean it is practically free . Ok, well not really, but it is WAY cheaper than my other top watch picks. Below are some of my former watches of my dreams.
IWC Classic Pilot’s Watch
I have been in love with this IWC for a few years, since the day I first put it on. It is so comfortable and the metal links are actually soft on my skin. I LOVE the black and white contrast on the face, and it is so easy to read. Also, the gray color of the metal really goes with my skin color. I have a hard time finding a watch that looks good on my, because I have really light skin, and this watch really looks great. I like that it is very flat, not as tall as my Spitfire Chrono that I currently have. Why I bought the chrono instead of this one….temporary insanity? I don’t know…it was a mistake .
The Pilot's Watch Mark XVI
Panerai Luminor Marina
This is a watch I have had a love-hate relationship with. Love because it is gorgeous and I love the way it looks and I love the contrast of the white face and black dials and the black band. It is stunning and it looks great on me!! And the hate part…well, I think you can figure it out. It is friggin huge! It feels like I am walking around with a full sized clock on my wrist. Keep in mind I am very small and skinny. So, on me this watch is ginormous… but I still want one . It has been moved to third down on my list though.
Panerai - PAM 00049
Which of the three watches do you like best? Which do you think would lool best on me?
This is a very good choice Izabel. It is at a glance clear what this watch is about, no-nonsense timekeeping in a no-compromise jacket. Really cool. You should definitely go for it if you can. I would probably go for the IWC myself (in my dreams anyway)
The BVLGARI is so amazing!!!!!!!!! I am seriously in love with it and the IWC too. I NEED those two, so they are on my critical watch “need list” for 2009. I am sure you understand how it feels. I really do want to get pics of me wearing the watches. It is hard to describe how awesome they look by themselves in real life, but with me wearing them they are just even hotter
.
Great watch selection, they are all great. The Bvlgari is my top pick
.
Great choice Izabel !
I would probably see you more with the IWC though…
Thanks Pascal. I do have a special connection with the IWC. I think about getting it everyday…really I do. Right now i am wearing the chrono version of it, but its not the same
. hehe
Hey Izabel… being in the business, I weigh a few things. I know you like the Bulgari, but it would be an unwise purchase. Once you own that one, forget it – it is a status symbol ONLY and no good for trade in or resale. Also, those fancy-pants designer watches usually have generic, mediocre movements – hardly worth throwing away your money on something so superficial (no offense, just trying to help!)
My first choice for you you be the IWC, it is classic, well made and will retain trade-in/resale value AND IS THE WISEST investment.
The Panerai is a good watch but, for you – NO. It would be a far trailing second choice.
Hope this helps!
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for leaving a comment
. I do understand from your perspective as a dealer that re-sale value is important, and i do agree there are some buyers of watches (and cars) who look at it as an investment and re-sale is top on their list. But, that is not how i am, not how i look at it. I am passionate about watches and love them and enjoy them in a different way. Re-sale value is a nice to have for me. I do understand what ur saying, my Tag Monza is worth very little and i am trying to sell it.
Also, I NEVER wear watches as status symbols, or to show off how much money i do or dont have. I dont think of watches or cars this way.
and thats a good thing for you.
But, i guess from your perspective as a dealer, you can capitalize (literally) on peoples insecurity
Also, I have to mention that BVLGARI is NOT a designer brand, like Chanel or Michele, etc. It is not in designer watch category. I am not that into watch movements or the technical specs from that aspect but i do know that BVLGARI movements are not worse than IWC. IWC uses “off the shelf” movements by ETA and Valjoux that they modify on my watches. Some of them are custom. I dont think that a movement is better or worse if it is custom made by the watch company, or if they buy off the shelf movements and integrate them. I think either way could work for a manufacturer. It depends on how they put it all together in the end, how well the integrate the parts (case, finish, bracelet, etc) regardless off their origins. Some of the most exclusive and expensive cars out there use parts from tons of other companies. Mac doesnt manufacture its laptops. Custom doesnt equal better. I spent 10K on a Titanium and Steel Panerai with a Zenith El Primo movement and the links on the bracelet didnt fit together on the case right and the pins didnt come in and out due to shitty workmanship. The tolerances were all wrong. It was sad…so expensive.
I don’t think BVLGARI are superficial at all, im not sure what that means. I mean…all watches are superficial IMO. Thats the whole point
.
Something really important you didnt mention is that IWCs have an extra steel cage on the inside which make them resistant to radiation (metal detectors in airports for example). This is a internal feature than makes IWC cool in my book. IWCs are going up in value, this is true. I shoulda bought one years ago when they were cheaper than now. That is good for me if i want to sell it
. But I dont really think about that when I buy a watch, its not a bad idea to, but i am just saying that i dont 
.
When you say IWC is “classic” and the BVLGARI is not, i challenge you to define “classic”. I think its all a matter of opinion. When I think classic i think Patek Philip, most of their watches kinda boring to me. The BVLGARI DIAGONO is more modern looking perhaps. BVLGARI makes very “classic” watches such as the BVLGAR BVLGARI line.,those are much more old people watches but I like those too
.
I have had 3 or so Panerai before but they were never in white. They look hella sweet on me
. I can pull of such things, but i agree they prolly would look funny on some women.
These are just my 2 cents on things…but I let my heart lead to me my next watch purchase. When i fall in love i fall hard, so the BVLGARI it is for me
.
All good points… and it is true, they are all ’superficial’. But I suppose any luxurious adornment is, whether or not it also serves a useful function, i.e., telling time… AND I should have mentioned that Bulgari is not exactly in the same ‘designer’ class as most – Bulgari tends to use Swiss movements, which are the best, although I have heard that they use Chinese in some, but I digress…
I am tainted by the business, for sure… AND it doesn’t help that I am also NOT a watch person. I am an estate jewelry gal, so I suppose that makes me even more ’superficial’. So it is my tendency to view watches only as investments and machines so that is how I arrive at my valuation of them. I can apply no emotion whatsoever when looking at them, so I suppose you are right, the customer always is, after all
I hope you enjoy your Bulgari – I am sure you will wear it well!
I also want to make a comment that is unrelated to watches… I use a MAC at work only. I AM NOT A FANBOY. I detest MACs. My computer at home is a PC. Just want to clear up any questions/judgments that may exist.
heheheehhe, ur so funny
.Thanks for clearing that up, i respect you for that. I am also a PC user and dislike Macs for anything other than photobooth and ichat 
. Those are the only things i do on Macs.
PS- I am a Porsche Fanboy and i am not ashamed
. hehe But then again…ive never driven a Ferrari so maybe I am lying.
I could be a Porsche Fanboy, no problem. But I would of course love the opportunity to knock Porsche out of favor by driving a Ferrari… operating under the assumption, of course, that Ferrari would kick the pants off of Porsche.
My husband is a software developer and has educated me on the pros and cons of PCs vs. MACs… guess what he likes…
And even for someone who lacks technological savvy, such as myself, the difference is clear and there is no contest.
LOL! There are worse things than being a Porsche or Ferrari fanboy… like being an Apple fanboy
. Just kidding 
.
While I like certain brands, and appreciate their history and marketing budget and efforts, I have to say, I always go for what I reckon works best for me, sometimes against the marketing effort of many a corporation
.
LOL! Great discussion
. Thanks for the clarification that you’re “not a Mac” 
. I detest Macs as well 
. I’m a software designer as well… Other than video editing and photoshop, OSX apps aren’t as good as the ones available on Windows for common/everyday tasks. However, you can dual boot a Mac, or run Bootcamp, or use virtualization software to run a OSX and Windows on the same machine… but I digress. I like Voodoo PCs. Very stylish, and they aren’t made by Apple 
. Too pricey though! But supremely customizable.
Take care
Nazmul
If you like estate jewelry, visit my company’s website…
http://www.davidandcompany.com
I will give you a good price on anything! I LOVE Art Nouveau and Edwardian pieces… my favs. The MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) here in Boston had the loveliest Art Nouveau display from June to November this past year! I adored it…
Ok cool, I will have a look and let you know. I have a quick meeting to go to now, still at work. I promise to look at your site in detail in a bit.
Thanks for the link,
Izabel
I understand. If you don’t LOVE watches then it all makes sense. I love estate jewelery too. I need more jewelery. Its sad i dont have much. Just one nice pair of pave earrings, some fancy brand i cant remember, and one ring by Favero and another by Charriol. Thats it. Here is a pic of my ring.
It isn’t estate but its still kinda cool. I was going to get more but i put it in watches. I have been through A LOT of watches. Bought sold, had stolen…etc.
What kinds of jewelery do you like? Any pictures? Any links to some of the stuff you like? I would love to see it. I went to a store in La Jolla, CA my FAVORITE vacation spot, and it was an estate jewelery shop. I tried on almost everything it was great. I didn’t wanna leave. I cant remember the name of it but its on Prospect St across from Alfonso’s Restaurant (quite possibly the best REAL Mexican food in the universe).
.
Courtney,
I saw your company’s website, it was very nice. I liked a lot of things on there but i am not in the market for anything just now. I am saving money now
. I will book mark it though.
Izabel,
I couldn’t agree more with Courtney’s comments on the watches, except for one thing (an important fact that dealers often forget): you should never buy a watch with an eye toward “investment.” They simply do not hold their value, only in very, very rare cases. These brands are too “normal” to be considered any type of investment. A watch should be bought because you love it. And if you have to watch your money, then reliability is a huge factor. I only buy reliable watches or — if they’re uncommon — only if I am close to the watchmaker who made it. I simply don’t like the trouble of keeping finicky movements happy.
That being said, happy wearing!
Hi Elizabeth,
Welcome to Drivelikeagirl!! Thanks so much for commenting, I am so happy to have another woman comment on the site! I totally agree with what ur saying about buying a watch because you love it. I totally agree with what ur saying about what kinds of watches are investments and which are not, so true. Also, reliability is very important for me too. I do plan in the future to get a few special watches as investments, I think they get a better rate of return than most investments.
What watch do you wear? What is your favorite brand?
Izabel
Elizabeth, I do agree with you… you probably skipped over the discussion that Izabel and I had explaining that I am not a watch person. I am somewhat fascinated with their inner workings, but beyond that, there is no emotional investment for me.
But, as a buyer/seller of fine luxury items, I can tell you this: if Izabel happened to fall on hard times (God forbid) and brought these three watches to me to sell, I would most likely, for the market I deal in, give her a cash price for the IWC and the Panerai. I wouldn’t even consider the Bulgari as a possibility. That was really all I was getting at. That being said, from a purely non-business minded perspective, yes indeed, buy what you love! That is what I always tell my clients (even though the clients I deal with tend to buy for beauty AND investment purposes). I see all kinds…
And I repeat… I hope Izabel enjoys her Bulgari watch – she has earned it and she loves it, so why not?
Hi Elizabeth,
Which watches have you had that had finicky movement? Just wondering which brands/models you have had issues.
Hi Elizabeth
Welcome to the DLG community
. Watches are like cars in that sense… they lose monetary resale value as soon as you walk them out of the showroom floor/dealer retail store 
.
Having said that, the current economic train wreck we are in is a sobering reminder that all investments, no matter how much we think are solid, can turn into dust… at least with a watch or car, if you enjoy it while you have it, you are getting an ROI
.
Sorry to hear about reliability issues with some of your mechanical watches. Would you mind sharing with us which movements/watches you had problems with?
Also, can you recommend any good watchmakers who can service mechanical watches? My IWCs need to be serviced in a year or so… so I’m collecting information about where to get it serviced.
Thanks
Nazmul.
Courtney and Elizabeth,
What are your favorite cars? Do you go to the track?
Amazing collection. I’m myself a great fan of watches and fortunately my friends and family who are well aware of that are showering watches on me on my birthdays. My latest watch is from my elder sister and it is a truly amazing watch. Check it out at Rolex Cellini