Bvlgari Serpenti Secret Watch Ref. 102869

The Bvlgari Serpenti Misteriosi Pallini, reference 102869, is a secret watch: a serpent that coils twice around the wrist, its head lifting to reveal a diamond-set dial hidden underneath. Bvlgari has been making Serpenti since the 1940s, and the secret watch is the purest expression of the idea, a jewel first, a watch only when you want it to be.

Pallini means little spheres, and that is what makes this version move: the snake's body is built from mobile gold spheres in 18kt rose gold, so it flexes and catches the light with every movement of the wrist. The head, dial and tail are 18kt white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, and the eyes are emeralds, Elizabeth Taylor's stone and a long-running Serpenti signature. The 40mm curved case runs a quartz movement, keeping the piece slim enough to sit as jewellery rather than hardware.

The design looks back to the 1980s, when Bvlgari's Roman confidence was at its loudest, and it wears with that same irreverence. At Konesseur, every piece is authenticated and inspected in Dubai before listing, and the UAE's 5% VAT is a meaningful advantage at this level. See more watches or the wider jewellery range to compare.

• Reference and model: Bvlgari Serpenti Misteriosi Pallini secret watch, Ref. 102869, 40mm
• Materials and movement: 18kt white gold case, head, dial and tail set with brilliant-cut diamonds, pear-shaped emerald eyes, 18kt rose gold sphere-link bracelet, quartz movement, dial concealed beneath the serpent's head
• Condition and authenticity: authenticated by Konesseur (confirm condition, box and papers against the listing)