Bulgari says it has hollowed out the titanium case in order to reduce the amount of metal between the inside and the outside , thus enhancing the transmission of sound . The new case design includes three openings , each of which corresponds to a chime .
As Bulgari explains , “ Chimes are fixed directly on to the case body for most effective transmission of sound and the case is crafted in titanium to ensure the clearest possible diffusion of sound . The back is also hollowed and revamped with a meticulously crafted titanium grid that protect this resonance zone and allow sound to be transmitted to the outside .”
Bulgari ’ s new , manually wound Caliber BVL428 , which includes 432 components , features hand crafted gongs that Bulgari artisans harden at high temperatures , which gives the metal a bright sound . The melody of the Carillon plays the note C for the hours , the mid-re-C notes in sequence for the quarters , and the mid note for the minutes .
THE SOUND Listening the Bulgari Octo Roma Carillon digitally , and not in person , is pleasing , even uplifting . Given Bulgari ’ s history of making exceptional chiming watches , I strongly suspect a live performance of the chime will live up to the brand ’ s grand descriptions .
Bulgari has equipped the movement with one classical barrel ensuring a power reserve of at least seventy-five hours for the movement at full charge . The functioning of the sound mechanism is ensured by a spring that the watchmaker has placed into a barrel-shaped container drilled directly in the bridge .
The watch comes on a black alligator leather strap with a three-blade folding clasp treated with DLC Titanium . Bulgari will offer the Octo Roma Carillon available as a limited edition of fifteen , with each piece engraved individually on the crown . Price : $ 259,000 .
68 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2021