At Baselworld 2017 watch fair, Bulgari has unveiled Octo Finissimo Automatic, the slimmest ultra-thin self-winding watch on the market to date. After introducing its Tourbillon in 2014 and the Minute Repeater in 2016, the Maison unveils its new creation featuring a total thickness of just 5.15mm, while its self-winding movement is just 2.23mm thick for a 40mm diameter.
In this watch, the extreme thinness implies not only the parts of the mechanical self-winding movement, but also the entire set of elements composing the case and dial. So as to guarantee the legibility and the highly contemporary contrast effect, the hands and hour-markers are coated with a black PVD treatment.
Manufacture Bulgari has developed a new in-house movement to drive the Octo Finissimo Automatic: Calibre BVL 138. At just 2.23mm thick, it earns the much-coveted title of the slimmest self-winding movement currently on the market. An offset small seconds hand adds an additional to refinement. To ensure smooth energy regulation, it beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and has a 60-hour power reserve.
Automatic winding is accomplished via the platinum micro-rotor, a guarantee of efficiency. The watch is water-resistant to 30 metres. Despite the constraints involved in developing an ultra-thin watch calibre, the movement is hand-decorated with Côtes de Genève and circular-grained finishing, resulting in a watch that is extremely impressive in watchmaking terms, while maintain a chic and simple outward appearance.
The elegance of extreme thinness relies on mastery of volumes and shapes, and also stems from the subtle approach required in dealing with this field. Such extreme thinness is a bold move conveying a philosophy, a highly complex means of paring down to essentials, with a powerful design that vividly enhances this demonstration of minimalism.
After gold and steel, the case and dial are now attired in titanium, featuring a sandblasted surface that lends a highly contemporary note to this watch. Prolonging the sensual pleasure procured by the light feel of titanium, the watch comes in a version equipped with an alligator leather strap – in this instance with a matching titanium pin buckle, as well as an extremely beautiful titanium bracelet composed of supple and perfectly articulated links.
Technical details
Model: OCTO FINISSIMO AUTOMATIC
Movement
Mechanical Manufacture movement with automatic winding via a platinum micro-rotor; Caliber BVL 138 Finissimo, decorated with Côtes de Genève finishing, chamfered bridges and a circular-grained mainplate; 2.23mm thick, 36.60 mm in diameter, 21,600 V/H, 60h power reserve
Case and dial
Diameter: 40mm
Sandblasted titanium case
Transparent case-back
5.15mm thick
Titanium crown with ceramic insert
Water-resistant to 30m
Titanium dial, black hands with PVD treatment
Bracelet/Strap
Titanium bracelet with folding clasp or black alligator leather with titanium pin buckle
