Bulgari-Gérald Genta Collection: Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic
The Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic is a sports watch model born for intensive living. Witness the combination of materials chosen for its case: a steel middle, a satin-brushed “studded” ceramic bezel, and a crown set with an onyx cabochon. Secured to the wrist by a natural rubber strap, this is a watch clearly built to face the trials of daily life. Paradoxically, this decidedly sporty model houses a sophisticated movement powering a jumping-hour window display along with a retrograde-type minute and date indications by superimposed hands.
The Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic is driven by in-house made Calibre GG 7722, a mechanical self-winding movement epitomising the innovative spirit inherent to the Manufacture du Sentier: the jumping disc display through a wide aperture at 12 o’clock is a perfect match for the retrograde minute indication provided by a hand running over a 210° arc featuring a graduated scale divided into 10-minute zones. The “studs” on the bezel serve to read off the minutes in each of the zones, while the date can be read off on a 180° segment at the bottom of the dial.
This movement is endowed with all the refined technical and aesthetic touches one would expect from such an exclusive mechanism: a dedicated “old gold” finish, circular-grained surfaces and polished screw heads. The movement is visible through the sapphire crystal secured by eight screws with pentagonal heads.
Technical details
Self-winding movement, jumping hours, retrograde minutes and date; 28,800 vph, 45-hour power reserve
43 mm diameter steel case, black ceramic bezel, transparent caseback, crown set with an onyx cabochon
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Rubber strap, steel triple-blade folding clasp
About Bulgari, Daniel Roth & Gérald Genta Collection
2010 marks a decisive new step for Bulgari, with the unification of the Manufacture du Sentier Daniel Roth & Gérald Genta under the powerful and prestigious Bulgari image, as announced by the Group CEO, Francesco Trapani, on January 15th 2010. This strategic rapprochement, a first in the history of the Swiss watch industry, is now giving rise to a new resolutely high-end Bulgari collection. It highlights the cutting-edge expertise of the Manufacture du Sentier (in the Joux Valley) through its multiple references to the calibres developed there.
The new Bulgari, Daniel Roth & Gérald Genta models are powered by calibres developed in the Manufacture du Sentier. This set of seven models reinterprets creations characterised by a powerful style signature for each of the Collections. Featuring cases with a rugged octagonal or distinctive elliptical shape, the Bulgari, Gérald Genta & Daniel Roth Collections all testify to a boldly asserted identity. They are combined with an exceptional range of horological complications entirely in keeping with their respective traditions and specific codes.
