Fender’s celebrations for the Stratocaster’s 70th anniversary continue. Now, Bulgari is joining the party, partnering with the legendary guitar maker to produce a limited-edition GMT watch that borrows from the Strat’s signature design elements. Simultaneously, Fender’s own Custom Shop has delivered an even more limited run of similarly co-branded Stratocaster guitars that draw inspiration from the “inventive yet nostalgic design approach” showcased by Bulgari’s watch.
While these two brands couldn’t appear more dissimilar—one, a Californian icon that established the blueprint for high-quality electric guitars while simultaneously making them accessible to the public, the other, an Italian luxury fashion house that also makes fine Swiss watches—here, the unlikely pairing has collaborated seamlessly to celebrate the Stratocaster’s big anniversary.
Bulgari Aluminium GMT x Fender Limited Edition Watch
Drawing on the aesthetics of Fender’s legendary guitar, Bulgari has integrated elements of its design throughout this new timepiece. From the sunburst dial, which pays tribute to one of the Strat’s signature body finishes, to the 24-hour GMT track’s use of dark brown for nighttime and a creamy white reminiscent of the Strat’s scratchplate for daytime hours, the Strat connection is subtle but clear. Further, the rhodium-plated and polished indices and hands act as a premium nod to the guitar’s frets. Very nice.
As any musician worth their salt will tell you, timing is everything. This GMT keeps things on track via a B192 calibre automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, while the brown rubber bracelet featuring aluminium links and an aluminium pin buckle (or a redesigned velcro strap option) will ensure the watch stays in place as you recreate your favourite guitar hero’s signature moves. Saying that, with only 1,200 of these timepieces being made and an asking price of AUD$6,850, I imagine they’re more likely to wind up adorning the wrists of said guitar hero and those of their ilk than enthusiastic garage noodlers.
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Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Bulgari Stratocaster
Now for the main draw (watches are nice, but guitars are nicer — a controversial opinion around Man of Many’s office, but I stand by it).
This Fender Custom Shop edition, limited to 70 guitars, offers a two-piece select ash body boasting a premium example of the kind of sunburst finish Bulgari drew inspiration from for its watch’s dial. To be more specific, it’s a mid-‘50s wide-fade chocolate two-colour sunburst lacquer finish, and it’s quite something to behold.
The guitar features a quartersawn maple neck and flat-laminated rosewood fingerboard that we imagine feels delightful under the fingers, while the Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’54 Strat pickups are sure to sing like only a Strat can. I’ll confess that the one-ply parchment pickguard looks a little odd to me, but if you can’t try new things when partnering with an Italian luxury fashion house, when can you?
This Strat also features a five-way switch, synchronised tremolo, and a custom-engraved Bulgari neckplate. Plus, it comes with a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity. To secure one of just 70 of these being made, you can expect to hand over AUD$7,299.
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