Watches and Wonders 2021: Bulgari has broken another record. Again. For the 7th time...
They have broken another record. Yup, Bulgari has only gone and broken another record this Watches and Wonders with a new release officially labelled as the thinnest in its class. Let’s not waste any time and jump straight into it…
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar - Image Credit: Bulgari
Seven years, nearly 60 international awards and a seventh world record for Bvlgari with the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar for Bvlgari.
Octo Finissimo has definitely made its mark on the Haute Horlogerie landscape in a very short space of time. After exploring ultra-miniaturisation in the fields of the automatic movement as well as the minute repeater, chronograph and tourbillon, Bvlgari presents Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar, the slimmest in the world. This new record is available in two variations: the “signature” titanium like all Bvlgari’s World Record, and a platinum version.
Stats breakdown
Reference: 103200 / 103463
Case width: 40mm
Thickness: 5.8mm thick
Movement: Automatic in-house caliber BVL 305
Functions: indication of hours, minutes, retrograde date, day, month and retrograde leap year
Power reserve: 60-hour power reserve
Case: titanium / platinum
Water-resistance: 30m
Dial: Sandblasted titanium / Blue lacquered
Strap: bracelet / leather
Price: $59,000 / $89,000
Thoughts
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar - Image Credit: Bulgari
And just like that, they have done it again! As many of you will know I adore the Octo Finissimo work from Bulgari, ever since we went hands on with them and more specifically the Chronograph GMT in 2019 ( Link to article). There is nothing quite like it that feels like this on the wrist but also provides you with such information - well apart from this new perpetual calendar.
For a moment just consider this new perpetual calendar is under 6mm in height. Give me a blue platinum model on a matching bracelet and I’m all in.
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando - Image Credit: Bulgari
Tadao Ando has forged his international reputation through the use of cement and glass combined with the creative use of light in his architectural projects. These three elements are the common thread running through his architectural work, in perpetual search for absolute purity, the essential. Tadao Ando’s work is now part of contemporary architectural history. Among his major achievements are the Church of Light in Osaka, the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth (Texas) and the 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo. After a first Octo Finissimo limited series jointly created by Bvlgari and Tadao Ando, in which the architect – impressed by Octo Finissimo pure shape – expressed time by means of a spiral engraved on the dial, a symbol of the black hole from where time is born, this second special edition picks up this theme dear to the Japanese construction specialist and based on the Mikazuki concept (三日月). While the theme of time remains central, this new model embodies a different approach.
Stats breakdown
Reference: 103534
Case width: 40mm
Thickness: 5.5mm
Movement: Calibre BVL 138
Functions: hours, minutes and seconds
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case: Sandblasted black ceramic
Water-resistance: 30m
Dial: blue lacquered dial with special pattern and yellow gold moon
Strap: Sandblasted black ceramic bracelet with ceramic folding clasp
Price: $18,100
Availability: 160 pieces now via Bulgari boutiques
Thoughts
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando - Image Credit: Bulgari
This third instalment in Bulgari’s collaboration with Japanese architect Tadao Ando looks to be as impressive and unique as #1 and #2. Zooming in on images of this dial and case relationship is fascinating to me; I can't help but stare at it.
Okay sure there are only 180 pieces and it's the best part of $18,000, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another watch on the market that looks like this.
Overall thoughts on Bulgari
7 years, 7 seven broken... - Image Credit: Bulgari
Bulgari likes breaking records. It’s a niche they’ve been chasing for seven years now and they are very very good at it. With every record, they break it simply reminds me of just how incredibly underrated they are as a brand. Slowly but surely, with every record broken this attitude towards them is changing in people’s minds, which makes me very happy.
They also released some crazy jewellery pieces just to flex on us how they’re still jewellery makers at heart.
