When two iconic brands meet, the collaboration between Bvlgari and Fender brings together a fusion of luxury design and musical heritage. Spearheading this partnership is Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Fender Products at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). With over 20 years of experience in product development, Norvell has played a crucial role in ensuring the collaboration honors both brands' identities. In this article, we explore the inspiration, creative process, and challenges behind the Bvlgari x Fender watch.
The partnership between Bvlgari and Fender was born out of mutual admiration. As Norvell explains, “It came from mutual admiration of both of our iconic design languages and respect for each other’s craftsmanship.” Both brands share a legacy of precision and artistry—Fender with its guitars and Bvlgari with its luxury timepieces. This respect for each other’s expertise laid the foundation for a seamless collaboration.
Rather than an overt design, the Bvlgari x Fender watch features subtle elements that allude to Fender’s musical roots. Norvell elaborates, “The concept was to add subtle elements that nodded to the guitar, but keep the design from being ‘heavy-handed’... the polished indices that allude to a guitar’s frets.” The colorway was also designed to evoke the beauty of Fender’s instruments. These intricate details allowed the watch to appeal to both guitar enthusiasts and collectors, ensuring a balance between music and luxury design.
Ensuring the collaboration remained true to both brands’ essence required careful attention. “Our collaboration took place in our Custom Shop, which is the luxury arm of our products—highly skilled and crafted instruments that are made in very limited quantities,” Norvell explains. This careful approach allowed both brands to maintain their integrity and appeal to a shared audience. According to Norvell, “The Custom Shop customer and the watch collector are very similar—in fact, many collect both.”
One of the challenges the team faced was ensuring the watch would stand on its own even for those unfamiliar with Fender. “I think it was just making sure the piece stood on its own as a watch, even if you didn’t know it was a Fender collaboration,” Norvell says. This challenge was overcome by crafting a timepiece that blends seamlessly into the luxury world while still carrying musical DNA.
This collaboration opens new opportunities for both brands, introducing Fender to Bvlgari enthusiasts and vice versa. “I think this opens up Bvlgari lovers to the world of Fender and vice versa—but we are also finding the existing fans of both that already exist,” Norvell explains. The partnership taps into a shared passion for craftsmanship, appealing to collectors who appreciate fine artistry in both timepieces and guitars.
Norvell’s extensive experience at Fender, where he has worked closely with top artists and spearheaded product innovations, was instrumental in shaping the collaboration. “We on the Fender team really just served as guides, and let the Bvlgari team take all of the iconic elements we gave them and put it through their lens and interpretation,” says Norvell. His ability to translate Fender’s musical heritage into a luxury context was key in creating a product that honors both brands.
For Norvell, the watch isn’t just an accessory; it’s a personal statement. “Music and guitar playing are not merely a hobby—it’s a lifestyle… and this is a product you can wear every day that connects you to your passion, whether a music fan or an actual musician,” Norvell reflects. The timepiece embodies this ethos, connecting the wearer to both their love of music and their appreciation for luxury craftsmanship.
Reflecting on the partnership, Norvell emphasizes how naturally the two teams worked together. “This has been one of the most natural collaborations we’ve done,” he says. The teams’ shared passion for their respective crafts led to a smooth collaboration, setting a high standard for future ventures. “Everybody was aligned from the beginning, so it sets a high goalpost for future collaborations.”
As for future collaborations, Norvell is focused on ensuring each partnership feels special. “We take it one project at a time, and really only move forward when it’s right,” he explains. By focusing on quality over quantity, Fender aims to maintain the exclusivity and integrity of its brand, while continuing to explore unique opportunities in the luxury space.
The Bvlgari x Fender collaboration, guided by Justin Norvell’s expertise, exemplifies the blending of two distinct yet complementary worlds. By bringing together the craftsmanship of luxury timepieces and the heritage of musical instruments, this partnership has created a product that resonates with both brands’ audiences. As both Bvlgari and Fender continue to push boundaries in their respective industries, this collaboration serves as a benchmark for future cross-industry innovations.
