LEGO Icons 10328 Bouquet of Roses Review

What's Included

The set contains 822 pieces organized across six numbered bags, accompanied by three instruction booklets corresponding to the different flowering stages. Builders construct twelve roses total: four in full bloom showcasing layered petal arrangements, four mid-bloom roses with partially opened petals, and four elegant buds just beginning to unfold. Four sprigs of baby's breath featuring clusters of small white flowers provide textural contrast. The instruction manuals facilitate concurrent building, making this an excellent collaborative project. Notable exclusive elements include 32 red wheel arch mudguards for inner petals and the first appearance of Indiana Jones's whip element in red, used cleverly to suggest inner petal tips.

Building Experience

The construction process delivers approximately 90 minutes of building time, structured around three core designs repeated four times each. While inherently repetitive, each rose type employs distinct techniques that maintain engagement. The full-bloom roses utilize SNOT construction with bracket pieces from 1979 forming the framework, bound by vertical clip plates and T-bars. Mid-bloom roses feature overlapping mudguard elements creating natural petal curves. The buds repurpose shoulder pad elements from action figures, demonstrating impressive parts usage. Assembly proves straightforward yet satisfying, with each flower teaching valuable botanical building techniques applicable to MOC creations.

Design and Accuracy

LEGO's commitment to botanical realism shines through every aspect of this set. The varied bloom stages create natural visual depth, mimicking an actual bouquet where flowers open at different rates. The glossy finish of LEGO elements surprisingly enhances rather than detracts from realism, suggesting morning dew on petals. Stem construction employs flexible Technic axles allowing authentic positioning and arrangement. The baby's breath adds essential negative space and texture variation. From a distance, only the uniform coloring and slight sheen betray these as brick-built rather than genuine roses, achieving near-perfect trompe-l'oeil effect when properly arranged.

Play Features

While traditional play isn't the primary focus, the set offers substantial interactive value through customization and arrangement possibilities. Each stem measures over 12 inches, providing flexibility for various vase heights and display configurations. The robust construction allows frequent handling without degradation, enabling seasonal rearrangement or combination with other Botanical Collection sets. The educational aspect teaches botanical structure and flower anatomy through building. Social interaction emerges through gifting potential and conversation-starting display presence. The set functions equally well as solo mindfulness activity or shared building experience, particularly suited for couples seeking screen-free bonding activities.

Value Analysis & Investment

At $0.073 per piece, the set delivers exceptional value within LEGO's premium adult range. Market data shows strong performance with sales ranks consistently between 117-754 across major retailers. Review counts averaging 125-155 indicate solid consumer interest. Historical pricing reveals fluctuation between €38.45-€56.58, suggesting waiting for sales maximizes value. The set maintains 2-4 marketplace offers consistently, indicating healthy secondary market activity. Investment potential appears promising given Botanical Collection's track record—predecessor 10280 Flower Bouquet shows 15-20% annual appreciation post-retirement. Limited seasonal demand spikes around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day create arbitrage opportunities. Long-term prospects remain strong as adult-oriented display sets historically outperform play-focused themes in retirement appreciation.

Editor's Verdict