Baselworld 2014: Bulgari Octo Finissimo is New “World’s Thinnest Tourbillon”


Bulgari Octo Finissimo TourbillonRecently, we ran a list of record-setting ultra-thin watches. At Baselworld 2014, Bulgari went for the title of “world’s thinnest tourbillon movement” with its new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, a new timepiece with a movement thickness of only 1.95 mm — thinner than a Swiss five-franc coin — and a case thickness of a mere 5 mm.

To achieve this horological milestone, Bulgari’s watchmakers had to devise a number of technical solutions to reduce the overall thickness of the movement. The one-minute flying tourbillon cage, the thickest part of the entire construction, determined the design of the complete movement once it was incorporated into the plate. The ultra-slim movement has two bridges, one for the minute wheel and one for the gear train of the tourbillon cage, and uses ball bearings — instead of jewels — for many of the moving parts. The base movement uses seven ball bearings and the tourbillon cage pivots on a peripherally driven ball-bearing mechanism. The timing is adjusted directly on the balance wheel, which eliminates the need for a traditional regulator assembly and enabled the movement to be even thinner. Three ball bearings also serve to guide and keep in position the barrel, which enabled the length of the spring to be doubled, resulting in an impressive power reserve of nearly 55 hours.

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon caliber is made up of 249 components and boasts a number of decorative finishes: plate and bridges are bevelled and decorated with côtes de Genève, gears are bevelled and circular satin-brushed, screw heads and slots have bevelled edges and polished ends. The watch’s octagonal case — a hallmark of Bulgari’s flagship Octo collection — is made of platinum and measures 40 mm in diameter (the movement’s diameter is 32.6 mm). The black dial is lacquered and polished. The watch comes on a black alligator leather strap with a buckle of platinum. Prices for the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon have yet to be set.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon - front

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon - back
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbllon movement - exploded
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  1. Narayan Prasad Gurung

    I am interested to The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon caliber, so appreciate if I could know more about this watch with its cost too.

    Reply
  2. IndyKalia

    I was privileged to hold the the Bulgari, Gerald Genta Black & Red, Octagon Watch, the other day, in London. What a tribute and what a colossus, in the field of time pieces. I doubt there will be another Gerald Genta. Sublime genius, engineer and micro-designer. What a legend and what a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  3. MrTissot

    Wow!! This is Bulgari at its best. This really ups the ante! What a magnificent horological accomplishment! This timepiece has a very classy look to it and at a total case thinkness (or thinness fo that matter) I can only imagine how amazing it must look on the wrist. I like it very much!!

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  4. Fabio Anderaos

    It would very useful for the readers a picture with the watch on the wrist to show how thin it looks.

    Reply
  5. David Jackson

    A fantastic horological achievement, but why does it have to be so ugly?

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