Italian watch-and-jewelry giant Bulgari has gone all-in on going thin. Its six world record-holding timepieces include the world’s thinnest tourbillon, introduced in 2014; the thinnest minute repeater, in 2016; and the slimmest self-winding automatic watch, the Octo Finissimo Automatic, in 2018. This year, Bulgari refreshes its lineup with new Octo Finissimo Automatic references whose hallmark octagonal-shape cases are in satin-polished steel with increased water resistance and new dial colors.
Inside the three new models, whose Octo cases measure 40 mm in diameter and 6.40 mm thick (just slightly taller than their predecessors) is the ultra-thin automatic BVL138 caliber, powered by a platinum micro-rotor. Each new watch features a transparent caseback and a water-resistance of 100 meters thanks to a screw-down crown, the addition of which necessitated the few extra millimeters of thickness. As on previous Octo Automatic models, the dials’ off-centered small seconds subdial appears at 7 o’clock. The dials are either black- or blue-lacquered, with a sunburst finish.
The entire movement measures 36.6-mm in diameter and 2.23-mm thick and is on display through the transparent caseback. Developed in-house by Bulgari, it beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and stores a 60-hour power reserve. It is decorated by hand with traditional haute horlogerie finishes including a côtes de Genève motif, chamfered edges on the bridges, and circular graining on the mainplate.
The screw-down crown that ensures the Octo Finissimo case’s 100-meter water-resistance is set with a ceramic insert; the dial’s hands are faceted, diamond-polished, and rhodium-plated. Both the black lacquered dial model (Ref. 103297) and the blue-lacquered dial model (Ref. 103431) retail for $11,900 presented on satin-polished stainless steel bracelets. The 18k rose gold Octo model (Ref. 103286) retails for $22,100 and comes mounted on a black-looking alligator bracelet.
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo collection is available online, with an expected delivery date of August 20. For more information on Bulgari’s 2020 novelties, click here.
