For several years now, Bulgari watches have occupied another dimension, and the Octo range has become an iconic collection with its own distinctive personality. The new bold and elegant styling owes nothing to other watch brands; it is a tribute to masterpieces of Italian architecture, subtly blending refinement and masculinity and combining a confident Roman aesthetic with the technical mastery that has enabled this jewellery brand to beat the big boys at their own game. Bulgari is now one of the few watch brands to create a genuine buzz at Baselworld. The Octo Finissimo Automatic has won the coveted record for the world’s thinnest automatic watch: its 2.23 mm deep movement is perfectly designed to fit into its ultra-thin (Finissimo!) 5.15 mm case.
Exit 6 and 12, enter 16
While the model launched at Baselworld 2017, which is available this summer, logically features a figure 12 at the 12 o’clock position and a 6 at the bottom of the dial, the titanium dial of the one-off piece created to celebrate WorldTempus’s 16th birthday is an even more stripped-down. The only Arabic number on the dial is a 16, at 4 o’clock. The result is aesthetically balanced, as it mirrors the position of the small seconds counter. It’s very rare for Bulgari to modify its dials. But Guido Terreni, CEO of Bulgari watches, agreed to create this unique piece in honour of WorldTempus’s 16th anniversary because the concept, as well as being original, was also a good fit with the DNA of the Octo Finissimo.
An intrinsic complication
Ultra-thin movements are a complication in their own right. As Guido Terreni points out: “Each element, down to the smallest, must be designed and calculated from the outset in terms of its place in the extremely slender body of this exceptional timepiece. This means not only the components of the automatic movement, but also all the case and dial elements.” As one would expect at these extremes of watchmaking excellence, the new 2017 model available this summer is driven by a manufacture movement fitted with a platinum micro-rotor, which despite its thinness is powerful enough to provide a 60-hour power reserve. The movement decorations can be appreciated through the sapphire back of the titanium case, whose harmonious fusion of volumes and shapes is one of the standout features of this icon of contemporary watch design. The sensuality of the Octo Finissimo Automatic extends to its undeniably tactile appeal, particularly in the version with a titanium bracelet. The amazingly supple articulated links feel light and playful on the wrist. The obvious value for money this watch represents serves only to enhance its seductive appeal.
Anyone interested in purchasing this unique watch should send an email to WorldTempus’s director, Brice Lechevalier (brice.lechevalier@worldtempus.com), co-creator of this one-of-a-kind model and your personal contact for all requests.
Octo Finissimo Automatic
case: sand-blasted titanium, titanium crown with ceramic insert, sapphire back, water-resistant to 30 m
diameter: 40 mm (5.15 mm thick)
movement: automatic mechanical movement (calibre BVL 138 Finissimo, 60-hour power reserve), Geneva striping, chamfered bridges, circular-grained baseplate, 2.23 mm deep
functions: hours, minutes, small seconds
dial: titanium, black PVD hands, number 16 at 4 o’clock
strap: titanium bracelet with folding clasp or black alligator strap with titanium pin buckle
