Marking 10 Years, Bulgari Expands Octo Finissimo Range with Four New Designs
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the collection premiered in 2012, Bulgari is expanding its Octo Finissimo range at this year's Geneva Watch Days, now introducing three new variations of the collection in pink and yellow gold, as well as special limited edition in steel.
Leading the commemorative debut is the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days. This open-worked high-horology timepiece is presented in a 40mm pink gold case with a height of 5.95mm. It boasts a new manual winding manufacture movement, the extra-thin calibre BVL 199 SK, just 2.5mm thick, with an exceptional 8-day power reserve and a gauge-shaped indicator above the small seconds counter at 7:30. This timepiece will retail for $37,300.
In addition to the leading skeletonized timepiece, Bulgari has announced new variations of existing models: the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT model, now available in pink gold, and the Octo Finissimo Automatic, now available in pink or yellow gold.
Octo Finissimo Automatic
Purity, shape and material choice are consistent signature features of the Octo Finissimo collection. Now also available in yellow gold, the new version of the Octo Finissimo Automatic brings together all these aspects. Whether in rose or yellow gold, the play on contrasts between these gleaming shades and the brown lacquered dial lends these models an expressive appearance. This is highlighted by the alternating matt and polished effects on the case and bracelet, a first in this collection.
The Octo Finissimo Automatic, which has a diameter of 40.0mm and a svelte height of 6.4mm, beats to the rhythm of the optimized self-winding manufacture movement, BVL Calibre 138. With its 208 components and 31 jewels, the new version retains its record slimness of 2.23mm.
However, the movement features a new automatic winding system, a closed barrel and a newly designed escapement and balance. While the rose gold model is part of the regular collection, the yellow gold version, which is 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. Retail is $45,500 for the yellow gold and $44,800 for the pink gold iteration.
Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic
The intriguing combination of a pink gold, satin-brushed case and a subtle brown-lacquered dial also comes to life in the new version of the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic. Launched in 2019, its movement set a world thinness record at just 3.3 mm thick. Representing the easily identifiable signature of the Octo Finissimo collection, the ultra-thin 43 mm-diameter octagonal case is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Controlled by pushers on either side of the case, the chronograph and GMT functions are driven by BVL Calibre 318, an integrated automatic manufacture movement that amasses a power reserve of 55 hours and can be admired through the exhibition case back. This ultra-thin yet sporty high-end chronograph will retail for $35,800.
Octo Finissimo Automatic Sejima Edition
Last but not least, there is a special edition in stainless steel with a diameter of 40mm and a height of 6.4mm designed by Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, and appropriately dubbed the Octo Finissimo Automatic Sejima Edition. Limited to 360 pieces, its monochromatic dial with subsidiary seconds is characterized by a mirror effect and a play on transparency.
Sejima, winner of the 2010 Pritzker Prize – the highest distinction in this field – and the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2004, delivers her very own vision of the Octo Finissimo. Working on the contrast between material and transparency, the visible and the invisible, she designed the timepiece with an expressive mirror-like effect on the sapphire crystal dial, enriched by an enticing dot pattern.
Sejima's signature is inscribed on the sapphire crystal case back revealing the self-winding manufacture movement, BVL Calibre 138. The Octo Finissimo Sejima Edition will retail for $14,100.
To learn more, visit Bulgari, here.
