PARENTESI MODEL, REF. BJ01, CASE NO. G54651, CIRCA 1980s

A rare fusion of high‑jewelry elegance and watchmaking from the 1980s, the Bulgari Parentesi cuff bracelet watch reference BJ01 is a chic and iconic timepiece from the era. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the watch features an integrated cuff‑style bracelet that flows seamlessly into the case, and this particular version elevates the design further with a pavé‑diamond dial and additional diamond-settings in the bracelet. The result is a ladies’ timepiece that doubles as a bold ornamental bracelet, making it as much a piece of jewelry as a horological object.

The Parentesi collection itself has a distinctive heritage: introduced in 1982, it was inspired by the modular jewelry aesthetic that reflected the active, modern lifestyle of the 1980s and by the architectural motif of Roman pavements. The name “Parentesi” (Italian for “parentheses” or “brackets”) refers to the stylized link motif in the design, which in turn draws from the bracket‑shaped pavement junctions found in Rome’s cobblestones. The bracelet’s interlocking modules lent themselves to the notion of jewelry meant to be worn and lived in rather than locked away—something the Maison emphasized in that era.