Bulgari unveils the Octo Finissimo Sketch
Three limited editions in celebration of Bulgari’s 140th anniversary.
“The sketch thus reveals the soul of a watch, just as its movement will become its mechanical soul. Hence the brilliant intuition of the Bulgari creative studio: to fuse the sketch and the back of the movement, art and technique, on the dial.”
Bulgari
Bulgari, a prestigious Italian luxury brand, was founded 140 years ago in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris, a Greek silversmith and businessman. An iconic luxury goods powerhouse, Bulgari is famous for its jewellery, timepieces, accessories, fragrances, cosmetics, leather goods and hotels. It is headquartered in Rome, Italy, and since 2011, has been part of LVMH.
LVMH or Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy is a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate, which owns brands in sectors such as wines and spirits, fashion and leather goods, perfumes and cosmetics, watches and jewelry, retail, luxury travel and few others.
Octo Finissimo
“Sleek, elegant, and technically at the cutting edge: Octo Finissimo revolutionizes watchmaking codes and conventions.”
Launched in 2014, the Octo Finissimo collection has given birth to timepieces that are horological icons. Renowned for its octagonal case design and ultra-thin case, it has become a superb platform and canvas for Bulgari to advance its watchmaking and design capabilities. It has set 9 records on the watchmaking front, feats that include the world’s thinnest three-hand timepiece and thinnest automatic chronograph. On the design front, it has allowed Bulgari to experiment with unique and unconventional designs such as these limited-edition Sketch timepieces.
“Sketch” Design
“Esquisse, from the Italian “schizzo”: sketch. It has been used throughout the history of art, particularly since the Italian Renaissance, in painting, sculpture and architecture.”
The Octo Finissimo Sketch is available in 3 limited editions:
– Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch in steel.
– Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch in rose gold.
– Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch in steel.
Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bulgari’s Product Creation and Executive Director, is responsible for the sketch on each of the dials.
On both the Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch in steel and rose gold, a sketch of the back or caseback view of its BVL 138 calibre is reproduced on its dial, illustrating features such as its micro-rotor, escapement, bridges, rubies, and finishing details such as Côtes de Genèva and circular graining.
On the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch in steel, a sketch of the front or dial side of its BVL 318 calibre is reproduced on its dial, illustrating key features such as its Tri-Compax chronograph layout, comprising of its GMT or second time-zone function at the 3 o’clock subdial, 30-minute chronograph counter at the 6 o’clock subdial, and small seconds at the 9 o’clock subdial. Furthermore, the sketch illustrates the calibre’s balance wheel positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, the chronograph’s column wheel at 8 o’clock, rubies, and finishing details, such as Côtes de Genèva and on its bridges and gears. As of now, Bulgari has only revealed a sketch for this timepiece.
Case, Dial, Bracelet and Calibre
Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch in Steel
The Octo Finissimo Automatic’s functions are hours and minutes on the centre of the dial, and small seconds on a subdial between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock.
The caseback view of its calibre BVL 138 is reproduced on its lacquered dial. The hours, minutes and small seconds hands are crafted in black bead blasted PVD.
The 40 mm dial is crafted in steel, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish. The ultra-thin case has a thickness of 6.4 mm. Its crown is crafted in steel with a black ceramic insert. Its bracelet is crafted in steel, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish, and a 3-blade folding clasp. It is water resistant up to 100 metres or 10 ATM.
It is powered by extra-slim mechanical manufacture calibre BVL 138, which features a micro-rotor crafted in platinum. It has a thickness of 2.23 mm. It has 36 jewels, beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph or 3 Hz, and has a power reserve of 60 hours. It is visible via a sapphire caseback. “EDIZIONE LIMITATA” and “1884 – 2024” markings are etched on its sapphire caseback.
Octo Finissimo Automatic Sketch in Rose Gold
The Octo Finissimo Automatic’s functions are hours and minutes on the centre of the dial, and small seconds on a subdial between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock.
The caseback view of its calibre BVL 138 is reproduced on its lacquered dial. The hours, minutes and small seconds hands are crafted in black bead blasted PVD.
The 40 mm dial is crafted in 18K 5N rose gold, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish. The ultra-thin case has a thickness of 6.4 mm. Its crown is crafted in 18K 5N rose gold with a black ceramic insert. Its bracelet is crafted in 18K 5N rose gold, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish, and a 3-blade folding clasp. It is water resistant up to 100 metres or 10 ATM.
It is powered by extra-slim mechanical manufacture calibre BVL 138, which features a micro-rotor crafted in platinum. It has a thickness of 2.23 mm. It has 36 jewels, beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph or 3 Hz, and has a power reserve of 60 hours. It is visible via a sapphire caseback. “EDIZIONE LIMITATA” and “1884 – 2024” markings are etched on its sapphire caseback.
Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch in Steel
The Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT’s functions are hours, minutes, and centre seconds on the centre of the dial. The subdial at 3 o’clock is for the GMT or second time-zone; the subdial at 6 o’clock is for the 30-minute chronograph, and the subdial at 9 o’clock is for the small seconds.
The front of its calibre BVL 318 is reproduced on its sandblasted dial. The hands are crafted in black PVD and satin brushed.
The 43 mm dial is crafted in steel, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish. The ultra-thin case has a thickness of 8.75 mm. Its crown is crafted in steel with a black ceramic insert. Its bracelet is crafted in steel, featuring both polished and a satin-brushed finish, and a 3-blade folding clasp. It is water resistant up to 100 metres or 10 ATM.
It is powered by extra-slim mechanical manufacture calibre BVL 318, which features a peripheral-rotor crafted in platinum. It has a thickness of 3.30 mm. It has 37 jewels, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz and has a power reserve of 55 hours. It is visible via a sapphire caseback. “EDIZIONE LIMITATA” and “1884 – 2024” markings are etched on its sapphire caseback, as well as the timepiece’s individual piece number.
Concluding Thoughts
These Sketch timepieces highlight Bulgari’s willingness to take bold risks with an iconic design. Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani has done a masterful job with them. They represent centuries of Italian art, culture, creativity, and flair all condensed into a timepiece, while remaining a tad playful and fun. Perfect for the collector who seeks timepieces that are both at the cutting edge of horology as well as design and art. The world of horology, design and art is all the better with them, and a superb way to help celebrate Bulgari’s 140th anniversary.
Pricing and Availability
Name: Octo Finissimo Automatique BVL 138 Sketch
Reference: 104163 (Steel)
Price: Euro (EUR): 17,800
Limited Edition of 280 pieces.
Name: Octo Finissimo Automatique BVL 138 Sketch
Reference: 104165 (Rose Gold)
Price: (EUR): 51,000
Limited Edition of 70 pieces.
Name: Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT BVL 318 Sketch
Reference: 104192 (Steel)
Price: Euro (EUR): 20,800
Limited Edition of 140 pieces.
Bulgari has a Boutique at The Dubai Mall, UAE.
Website: www.bulgari.com/en-ae/
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in News
