BULGARI – Octo Solotempo, 38 mm

Alongside the version that laid the foundations of this family of 41.5-mm watches, Octo Solotempo is now available in a slightly smaller case that measures 38 mm in diameter. Its heart beats to the rhythm of the Solotempo calibre, a self-winding mechanical movement that displays hours, minutes, seconds, as well as the date in a window. It was developed and manufactured in Bvlgari’s own workshops.

When it was first introduced in 2012, the highly successful Octo line wrote a new chapter  in the horology industry with their unique and classically designed eight-sided architecture with a round bezel. Though reduced to a diameter of 38 mm, the Octo Solotempo’s case has kept its key original elements. With its sharp, taut lines, it expresses force of character and uncontested power. While its treatment is subtle, it requires a complex fabrication process for its component parts, the case middle, bezel and screwed caseback. Many successive operations are needed to give these three elements their final form before assembly.

This slightly smaller Octo contains the in-house Solotempo self-winding mechanical calibre. It was designed and developed entirely in-house by Bvlgari, and is a result of the integration and verticalisation process Bvlgari has been gradually undertaking in recent years.

The mechanical movement is wound automatically by a rotor mounted on ceramic ball bearings; in the future, this will serve as Bvlgari’s new basic movement. One of its special features is that, though the instant date change occurs over a short span of time, on the order of three minutes, it also has a stop-seconds device that blocks the balance wheel when the winding crown is unlocked. The calibre also has a clutch system to save both wear on the pinions, and energy when the winding mechanism is activated either by the crown, or by the movement of the oscillating weight.

Its constituent parts – main plate, bridges, and gear train – are made at the Manufacture Bvlgari in La Chaux-de-Fonds, while final assembly and adjustment of the movement take place in Le Sentier at Bvlgari Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie.

Beginning this year, the Solotempo calibre will feature, in addition to the BVLGARI BVLGARI line, the 38-mm version of the iconic new Octo collection. Offering typical performance for movements of this type, it was conceived and designed in such a way that modular components can be added in the future, making it possible to add another complication.

For the moment, four versions of Octo Solotempo 38 mm are available: steel or 18K pink gold on a leather strap, steel on steel and 18K pink gold bracelet, or steel with a solid steel bracelet. Each version of Octo Solotempo has a different personality, but they are all assertive.

Technical details
Model: Octo Solotempo

Movement
Solotempo calibre, Manufacture-made self-winding movement entirely designed, developed and produced in-house: 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 42-hour power reserve. 11.5 lignes
26.20 m x 3.80 mm, 26 jewels
Hours, minutes and seconds, date window at 3 o’clock
Bidirectional oscillating weight mounted on ceramic ball bearings
Instant date change; stop-seconds device serving to block the balance wheel when the crown is unlocked; clutch system that helps avoid wearing out the pinions and saves energy when the winding mechanism is activated, either via the crown or by the movement of the oscillating weight
Côtes de Genève, snailed and sandblasted décor; bevelled and polished bridge rims, circular satin-brushed wheels, burnished pivots, chamfered pivot- and screw-holes; polished convex screw heads

Case,dial and strap
Case in steel or 18K pink gold, 38 mm in diameter
Black lacquered or white lacquered dial depending on the version
Alligator strap, steel bracelet or gold/steel bracelet depending on the version