Bulgari Welcomes Spring With Alluring Time-Telling Novelties
Including a new Octo Finissimo Ultra with a record-breaking 1.7mm case thickness.
In tandem with the annual Watches & Wonders event in Geneva, Bulgari also unveils its latest time-keeping novelties. Comprising four new models, the lineup includes two stunning iterations of the Octo Finissimo, sleek and bold Octo Roma watches alongside a beguiling Serpenti collection co-designed by renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando.
Tadao Ando Serpenti Tubogas Collection
Although Tadao Ando has lent his artistic vision to Bulgari’s timepieces before, this is the first collaboration between the two parties that centers on the Serpenti. An ode to the four seasons of the year, this new creative partnership consists of four limited-edition references, each representing a different season and the mood it evokes. Measuring 35mm in case width, each timepiece is presented in a distinct build that frames its unique precious dial, all encircled with a dazzling bezel that’s set with 38 diamonds.
Spring arrives in various delicate shades of pink, materialized through a pink mother-of-pearl dial housed in steel, rose gold and topped with a cabochon-cut pink rubellite set crown. Capturing the intensity of summer in sun-drenched forests, the Summer edition spotlights a green aventurine dial, encased in yellow gold and steel. Continuing on a warm-hued palette, Autumn is clad entirely in rose gold, while its pink rubellite-set crown accentuates the luscious brown tiger’s eye stone dial. Coming in steel, the Winter edition boasts a white mother-of-pearl that echoes an icy landscape. Each edition will be released in its respective seasons, starting with summer through to spring 2025.
Octo Finissimo Ultra
Setting a new bar in mechanical watchmaking, Bulgari’s newest imagining of the Octo Finissimo Ultra features an astounding thinness of merely 1.7mm — earning its title as the world’s thinnest COSC chronometer to date. Significantly evolved from its past iterations, the new model was brought to life through collaborative efforts between experts at Concepto along with the Maison’s in-house R&D department.
To achieve this new limit of case-thickness, the 40mm watch case has been drastically reworked. The caseback functions as the mainplate for the BVL180 Manufacture caliber, which despite its delicate appearance, offers up to 50 hours of power reserve. A limited edition of 20 examples, the new Octo Finissimo Ultra is packaged in an exceptional case that sets and winds the timepiece via an inbuilt digital display. The watch is available in a titanium materiality for $529,000 USD as well as a platinum edition with a retail price of $546,000 USD.
Octo Finissimo Tourbillon
This time around, Bulgari has prepared a trio of Octo Finissimo Tourbillon models in unprecedented configurations, spanning builds in platinum, titanium and rose gold. Priced at $196,000 USD, the platinum edition comes in a 42mm case with a satin-polished finish. Sandblasted in blue, its BVL 288 automatic caliber provides a continuous running time of 52 hours. It’s accompanied by a blue alligator leather strap, while its hour and minute hands come in a matte black for a pop of color contrast.
Attired in a black DLC treatment, the titanium model sports a satin-brushed open dial and has a price tag of $127,000 USD. Also arriving in a 40mm case size, the rose gold variant spotlights an openworked dial in sandblasted gray, accented with rose gold-plated hands, retailing for $154,000 USD. Both variants are equipped with the BVL 268SK manual-winding and ultra-thin skeletonized movement that’s fitted with a flying tourbillon.
Octo Roma Steel
Comprising a three-hand wristwatch and a chronograph, two new renditions of the Octo Roma have also been revealed. Crafted from DLC-treated steel, both references are dressed in a tonal black, interplaying light with depth through textured and lacquered Clous de Paris dials. Arriving in a 41mm case size, the three-hand Automatic variant will retail for $8,050 USD and is powered by the in-house BVL 191 mechanical automatic movement.
Measuring slightly larger with a case diameter of 42mm, the Octo Roma Chronograph boasts a price point of $9,900 USD. Its quintessential timekeeping functions, along with its three chronograph subcounters are powered by the BVL 399 Manufacture caliber. Both timepieces are fitted with see-through sapphire casebacks that overs a peek into their inner workings, while textured rubber straps add to their sporty-chic appeal.
For more details regarding Bulgari’s new time-tellers, visit its official website.
