August 9, 1965, was a turning point. Singapore, expelled from Malaysia after violent racial riots in 1964 and stinging political tensions, emerged as a sovereign nation. Its birth, declared by Lee Kuan Yew alongside the Proclamation drafted by E. W. Barker, was a hard-won moment of independence. Yet, this newfound freedom followed years of colonial rule, Japanese occupation, communist unrest, and deep communal strife.

Lee Kuan Yew, Singaporean politician who ruled as the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. (Image: Business & Leadership)

Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, with critical support from Goh Keng Swee and S. Rajaratnam, steered the young nation through this chaos, championing national unity, meritocracy, and economic transformation. As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence in 2025, Bvlgari marks the occasion with a watch that’s more than just commemorative.

Bvlgari Octo Roma Worldtimer SG60 Edition

This special edition takes the form of a world timer, a fitting choice that speaks to the spirit of global connection. It draws a meaningful parallel between Singapore’s status as one of the world’s most interconnected cities and the cosmopolitan journey of Sotirio Bulgari himself, whose path began in Greece and led to the founding of a Roman maison. 

Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with a 42-hour power reserve, the BVL 257 caliber is also exceptionally slim at just 6.03mm thick

The 41mm sandblasted stainless steel case, coated in black DLC, gives the watch its stealthy, modern character. The matte black dial, luminous indexes, and PVD-treated hands create clarity and contrast, while a vibrant red lacquered seconds hand adds a purposeful burst of color. The Worldtimer shows off 24 global cities encircling the dial, but Singapore stands out in red. The bi-color 24-hour ring, split into black and red halves, indicating day and night time across the globe.

Over on the other side, the transparent caseback offers a glimpse into the in-house BVL 257 caliber, a self-winding movement first introduced in 2021. It’s built on the BVL 191, and the new movement currently provides an intuitive world time functionality via two rotating discs for the city and 24-hour time indicators. Two rubber straps — one red, one black — allow for quick switches, each one with a matching black DLC-treated steel pin buckle.

Given its upward trajectory, many brands have tailored exclusive timepieces for Singapore.

Read: These Are The Most Iconic Singapore-Exclusive Timepieces Over The Years, And Then Some

In 2023 alone, Singapore imported US $2.26 billion worth of Swiss-made watches, with precious-metal timepieces accounting for US $1.57 billion. It also exported an impressive US $1.38 billion in timepieces, solidifying its place as a top-six Swiss watch destination . This extraordinary ecosystem has attracted watches made exclusively for Singapore, tailored to its sophisticated collectors, reinforcing its standing as a priority for global luxury brands.

Where can you experience the SG60 Edition in Singapore?

To coincide with Singapore’s National Day celebrations coming up on August 9th, Bvlgari will debut the Octo Roma World Timer SG60 Edition at the BEYOND TIME exhibition, held at Paragon Mall Atrium from 18 July to 10 August 2025. This immersive pop-up offers a chance to explore the broader world of Bvlgari’s haute horlogerie, blending storytelling, innovation, and Italian design sensibilities. 

With Singapore highlighted in red on its world-time disc, and design accents echoing the national colours, the special Bvlgari watch is a wearable homage to a nation that has grown into global prominence.

Tech Specs: Bvlgari Octo Roma World Timer SG60 Edition

Reference: 104230
Movement:Self-winding BVL 257 caliber; 42-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds; world time function with 24 time zones; 24-hour day/night indication
Case: 41mm × 11.35mm; sandblasted stainless steel with black DLC treatment; black ceramic insert; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Matte black with PVD treatment
Strap: Red or black rubber straps with sandblasted steel pin buckle with black DLC treatment
Availability: Limited to 60 pieces
Price: SGD 14,150