BVLGARI Octo Finisssimo. Eight Watchmaking World Records + Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic 10th Anniversary Edition

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BVLGARI Octo Finisssimo. Eight Watchmaking World Records. One video.

Apr 14, 2022

WatchAdvisor
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Since its emergence in 2014, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo collection has redefined traditional Haute Horlogerie, reinterpreting classic and sophisticated watch complications in a resolutely contemporary manner symbolizing Bulgari's own Estetica della Meccanica: the art of absolute innovation in form as well as in substance.

Going beyond established rules and pushing limits is in the very nature of the Octo Finissimo line, as proven by the epic saga of world records set by the collection. Unique in watchmaking history, it covers the full range of timekeeping, acoustic and astronomical complications: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual (2014, BVL Calibre 268, 1.95 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater (2016, BVL 362, 3.12 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic (2017, BVL 138, 2. 23 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic (2018, BVL 288, 1.95 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic (2019, BVL 318, 3.30 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic (2020, BVL 388, 3.50 mm), Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar (2021, BVL 305, 2.75 mm).

Finally, this year, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra – at just 1.80 mm thick – sets an eighth record and becomes the thinnest mechanical watch in the world!

Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO ULTRA

Movement
Mechanical ultra-thin Manufacture manual-winding movement – BVL Calibre 180. Winding and time-setting wheels in stainless steel; seconds display directly on the fourth wheel; ratchet wheel engraved with unique QR code that links to an exclusive NFT artwork. 50-hour power reserve; 28,800 VPH (4 Hz) frequency.

Case and dial
40 mm sandblasted titanium case and tungsten carbide plate with anthracite DLC treatment (1.80 mm thick); hours and minutes counters, black PVD-treated hands.

Bracelet
Ultra-thin titanium bracelet with integrated folding clasp.
Limited edition of 10.


“This fabulous benchmark that we are setting today with the Octo Finissimo Ultra is in fact for me and for all the teams an apparently impossible dream come true”, notes Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO Bulgari. “One that guarantees that Bulgari will forever be recognised as a company that has written some of the finest pages in Swiss watchmaking. And the fact that this is an Italian house makes us particularly proud.”

As its name suggests, Octo is the story of a lucky number, of an Italian identity, but also of the endless quest for new mechanical prowess, of records galore – and now of a door opening onto new worlds. Octo is of course eight facets, eight world records in eight years, but it is also about coming full circle, a chapter that is closing and new pages to be written – brimming with promise on this first day of spring.

TEN YEARS OF Bulgari Bulgari Octo Finissimo

2012
Bulgari OCTO L’ORIGINALE BVL 193

2014
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO TOURBILLON MANUAL – first world record BVL 268 – 1.95 mm

2016
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO MINUTE REPEATER – second world record BVL 362 – 3.12 mm

2017
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO AUTOMATIC – third world record BVL 138 – 2.23 mm

2018
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC – fourth world record BVL 288 – 1.95 mm

2019
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO CHRONOGRAPH GMT AUTOMATIC – fifth world record BVL 318 – 3.30 mm

2020
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON AUTOMATIC – sixth world record BVL 388 – 3.50 mm

2021
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO PERPETUAL CALENDAR – seventh world record BVL 305 – 2.75 mm

2022
Bulgari OCTO FINISSIMO ULTRA – eighth world record – 1.80 mm BVL 180






BVLGARI CEO Jean-Christophe Babin talks to us about 8 Octo Finissimo Watchmaking World Records.

Apr 14, 2022

WatchAdvisor

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BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Automatic + Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic 10th Anniversary Edition

Apr 14, 2022

WatchAdvisor
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In ten years, the Octo collection has made its mark on the world of Haute Horlogerie with its technical prowess, its iconic shape and its unmistakable monochrome style. Both pure and contemporary, it embodies the dual identity of Bulgari watches: a blend of rigorous Swiss watchmaking and Italian elegance. This refined and understated masculine interpretation has forged its reputation among both watchmaking experts and fans of minimalist design matched by absolute technicality.

To celebrate this icon of slimness and style, the House unveils two anniversary editions that go back to the roots of its conception: the first sketches made by Bulgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani. Pencil sketches that a few years later would give life to the unmistakable Octo Finissimo line and today adorn the engraved dials of two flagship models – Octo Finissimo Automatic and Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic – crafted in titanium.

These feather-light monochrome anniversary models fully express the Bulgari approach to masculine elegance and pay tribute to two emblematic timepieces in the Octo Finissimo saga. Presented in 2017, the Octo Finissimo Automatic, the thinnest ultra-thin watch on the market, set the third world record for the collection, with a total thickness of 5.15 mm housing a movement equipped with a micro-rotor and measuring just 2.23 mm. Two years later, in 2019, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic made its own mark with a fifth feat of extreme miniaturisation for the thinnest mechanical chronograph with GMT function in watchmaking history, at just 3.3 mm thick.

Embodying the aesthetic signature of the Finissimo collection, the case, dial and bracelet are crafted from ultralight titanium, ensuring a modern look and peerless elegance. The strong and bold lines of the case, inspired by Italian architectural masterpieces, express Bulgari's Roman roots, while the play of light in its facets catches the gaze. The sandblasted finish of the titanium contrasts with the black PVD-treated hands, the hour-markers, the Bulgari logo and the engraved small seconds counter, reproducing Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani's early sketches. The overall effect combines perfect legibility with an original style. Topped by a ceramic-set crown, the sleek 40 mm-diameter case is teamed with a smoothly integrated bracelet composed of supple links, prolonging the sense of comfort and lightness on the wrist.

Issued in 200-piece limited editions, these elegant and technically accomplished anniversary models once again demonstrate Bulgari's watchmaking and creative genius, merging design and cutting-edge technology within an extremely slim case.


technical characteristics

Octo Finissimo Automatic 10th anniversary
Ref. 103672

Movement
Mechanical Manufacture ultra-thin movement with automatic winding, platinum micro rotor, Calibre BVL 138 (2.23 mm thick); 65-hour power reserve; 21'600 VPH (3 Hz) frequency.

Case and dial
40 mm sandblasted titanium case, transparent caseback with personalization; matte grey sandblasted titanium dial with engraved indexes, Bulgari logo and small seconds display to replicate Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani’s first sketch; water-resistant to 3 ATM.

Bracelet
Sandblasted titanium bracelet with integrated folding buckle.

Limited edition of 200.


Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic 10th anniversary
Ref. 103673

Movement
Mechanical Manufacture ultra-thin movement with automatic winding, peripheral rotor, Calibre BVL 318 (3.30 mm thick). Chronograph and GMT functions. 55-hour power reserve; 28'800 VPH (4 Hz) frequency.

Case and dial
42 mm sandblasted titanium case, transparent caseback with personalization; matte grey sandblasted titanium dial with engraved indexes, Bulgari logo and displays to replicate Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani’s first sketch; water-resistant to 3 ATM.

Bracelet
Sandblasted titanium bracelet with integrated folding buckle.

Limited edition of 200.
 
OCTO FINISSIMO ULTRA - MAKING OF

May 16, 2022

Bulgari
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Creating the world’s thinnest watch demands revolutionary craftsmanship. At just 1.80mm thick, the Octo Finissimo Ultra required creative solutions and a reimagining of watchmaking customs — 3 years of research and development produced this landmark timepiece.

Witness the marvelous details of the first ever Octo Finissimo Ultra.


 
The octofinnisimo is a superbly made time piece and as integrated bracelet high end sports models go; I’d choose this ahead of the VC Overseas and maybe even the PP Nautilus (I like it a 1000x better than the Royal Oak- despite the tapisierrie dial)

Pardon my spelling

The watch has so many nooks and crannies some many little facets and it wears beautifully.

On this model however I do wish they didn’t include a QR CODE

I don’t know when but one day that will be very dated
 

The Bulgari Sketch Dial Limited Editions really draw the eye​

Aug 27, 2022

Time+Tide Watches
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Consumers in this day and age are all too familiar with the finished products of watch manufacturers. But, it is not always the case that we're offered a final product that leverages the origins of its design. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Octo collection, two new Bulgari Octo Finissimo 10th Anniversary Limited Editions were recently launched - each utilising dials that leverage the original sketches of Bulgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani.

As we saw with the recent auction of Gérald Genta's original design sketches at Sotheby's, collectors love owning the thought and artwork behind legendary designs. While a recent collection, the Finissimo is irrefutably a modern classic, and to have a sketch from Fabrizio is an honour and a privilege in of itself. With the new Bulgari 10th Anniversary Limited Editions, you get the best of both worlds - an Octo Finissimo watch and a dial that incorporates the original sketches from Fabrizio himself. Two limited editions of 200 pieces are available for purchase. The first is an Octo Finissimo Automatic, the second a Chronograph GMT Automatic.


Octo Finissimo Automatic 10th Anniversary – 103672

The Octo Finissimo Automatic 10th Anniversary – 103672 leverages the original design execution of the Octo Finissimo, utilising a 3 ATM water-resistant sandblasted titanium case, 40mm in diameter, 5.15mm thick, 45.6mm lug-to-lug. Many lauded the stealth monochromatic appeal of an entirely sandblasted watch, including its titanium dial, and this watch upholds this original design principle.

It also uses the same 2017 record-setting micro-rotor BVL 138 calibre that is a mere 2.23mm thick, and still manages to offer 60 hours of power reserve on a full wind off the wrist. It's an attractive calibre as well, with a full balance bridge, platinum micro-rotor, Geneva stripes, and chamfered bridges.

Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic 10th Anniversary – 103673

In the same vein as the Octo Finissimo Automatic 10th Anniversary, the Chronograph GMT Automatic 10th Anniversary – 103673 also utilises the more slender yet less water-resistant design framework of the earlier Octo Finissimo models - which, in fairness, is a more fitting choice for an anniversary design. The 1 ATM water-resistant sandblasted titanium case, outfitted on a matching bracelet, houses the fifth record setting calibre within the Octo collection: the thinnest mechanical chronograph with GMT function in watchmaking history, at just 3.3 mm thick. Overall, the watch clocks in at 42mm in diameter, 6.9mm thick, and 48.8mm lug-to-lug. It is an incredible feat of watchmaking, only further immortalised by its limited-edition Fabrizio sketch dial.

One small detail I personally love is the fact that the registers are clearly labelled, with the register at 9' labelled as "sec" for running seconds, the register at 6' labelled as "min" for elapsed minutes, and the register at 3' labelled as "24 H" to convey the GMT register. The BVL 318 inside, also visible beneath and exhibition caseback, is equally as appealing visually as the BVL 138. But a major difference, aside from its level of complication, is the usage of a peripheral rotor instead of a micro-rotor - affording a full view of the decorated GMT chronograph calibre which offers 55 hours of power reserve.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo 10th Anniversary Limited Editions pricing and availability:

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo 10th Anniversary Limited Editions are limited to 200 pieces. For more information on availability and pricing, please contact your local Bulgari boutique directly.
 

Octo Finissimo 8 Days Savoir-Faire | Bulgari Watches​

Aug 30, 2022

Bulgari
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Faithful to the signature innovation of the Octo watch saga, the new Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days watch features a hand-wound manufacture movement and extra-fine caliber with an extraordinary 8-day power reserve. Bulgari’s artisans craft the fascinating piece with intense skill, its modern style epitomizing the brand’s love of sophisticated design.

 
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