Back again! There is no denying that Bvlgari are one of the finest jewellery makers around and over the past few years have really established themselves also as one of the finest watchmakers around too. Bvlgari have been making watches for many, many years, though attractive men’s watches were probably not their best suit. Over the past few years, this has changed greatly. In 2017, Bvlgari introduced its newest ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Automatic in titanium, which set a new world record for ultra-thin watches at the time. In 2018, Bvlgari introduced the same piece in steel with some further iterations making an appearance in 2020 and 2021. But this latest piece is a 10th anniversary of the Octo collection.
To celebrate this icon of slenderness and style. Bvlgari have unveiled two more editions that quite literally scream Italian elegance. To further celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Octo collection, Bulgari is expanding its Octo Finissimo range with new variations in precious metal: the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT model in pink gold and the Octo Finissimo Automatic in pink and yellow gold. A brighter than ever new chapter in the saga of the Octo Finissimo!
It was ten years ago that the Octo collection made its mark on the world of Haute Hologerie technical prowess and its iconic design. Many of you may know that the thinness of the Octo Finissimo is partly due to the calibre BVL 138 Finissimo, which when released in 2017 was the world’s thinnest self-winding movement – just 2.23mm thick. Unlike AP’s calibre 2120 (which is still the world’s thinnest full-rotor automatic movement) the calibre makes use of the micro-rotor, which in my humble opinion affords a better look at the movement through the exhibition case back.
The satin finissage of the Octo Finissimo is quite something and of course let’s not forget it will now be available in both yellow-gold and rose-gold. The Octo Finissimo is very well-known for its genius design structure, where sharp lines and multiple facets meet the round radial brushed bezel. Another contrast seen for the first time in this collection lies in the alternating matt and polished effects on the case and bracelet, heralding a brilliant chapter in the saga of the Finissimo line.
The watch is 40mm in diameter and 6.4mm thick, which allows for an updated 100 metres of waterproofness. The dial has been given a rather interesting tone of colour with a highly noticeable sunray finish: featuring a brown-lacquered dial, giving these models a powerful personality. While the rose gold model is part of the regular collection, the yellow gold version, reserved for the American market, is offered in a 50-piece limited edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Bulgari boutique in the United States.
It sports sapphire crystals front and back, but what is quite abundantly obvious is that the case was designed in such a way that incorporates traditional appeal of ultra-thin watchmaking and at the same time wider audience – it’s a stroke of genius. Getting integrated bracelets right is a skill and the design of the triple-blade folding clasp bracelet is not only unique but accentuates the octagon shape of the watch head.
OCTO FINISSIMO CHRONOGRAPH GMT
The thinness of the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is massively owed to the calibre BVL 318, first introduced in 2019 and was and I believe still is the world’s thinnest chronograph movement. The calibre BVL 318 measures a mere 3.3mm in thickness and this a seriously thin but I think when you also realise it has a GMT function, then the penny drops. The calibre BVL 318 is quite something to look at but what is instantly noticeable is Bvlgari have made use of the solid platinum peripheral rotor. The horizontal layout of the components has afforded Bvlgari the luxury of an extremely thin but also very beautiful at the same time.
The only drawback to this is that they of course had to increase the diameter of the movement, which has a knock-on-effect on the case. The BVL 318 is endowed with 55-hours of power reserve and the GMT function is operated by pushing the push-piece set into the case at 9 o’clock, allowing the wearer to quickly change time zones on the move.
The Octo Finissimo Chronograph is very well-known for its genius design structure, where practicality and complexity are harmoniously blended together. The satin polished rose-gold case is 43mm in diameter and 8.75mm thick, which allows for 100 metres of waterproofness. The dial has been given the same brown lacquered dial with sunray finishing, rose gold applied indexes with Super-LumiNova – akin to the Octo Finissimo mentioned above.
It sports sapphire crystals front and back, but what is quite abundantly obvious is that the case was designed in such a way that incorporates traditional appeal of ultra-thin watchmaking and at the same time wider audience – it’s a stroke of genius. Similar to the monochromatic piece that was introduced a few years ago, this new piece comes on a rather cool integrated brown alligator strap with rose gold pin buckle.
The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronngraph GMT on a brown alligator strap, when available will retail for £29,700. The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in Satin Polished Rose-Gold, when available will retail for approx. £37,000. The The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in Satin Polished Yellow-Gold limited to 50 pieces and will only be available in the United States, and when available will retail for approx. £37,800. For more information, visit bvlgari.com
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