The clear caseback of the newly set Octo
Roma Grande Sonnerie with Perpetual
Calendar exposes Bulgari caliber 980, with
grand and petite sonnerie.
The Bulgari Octo
L’Original Blue Full
Baguette Diamonds.
Bulgari plans to make fifty pieces, each priced at $222,000.
Also newly framed in baguette diamonds, the newest version of the Octo
Roma Grande Sonnerie with Perpetual Calendar is very similar to the unique
rose-gold piece we showed you late last year, but is here made with a white
gold 44mm case. New Bulgari caliber 980 features a Grande and Petite
Sonnerie, a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar and moon phases.
Its many novel designs include the prominence of two separate power
reserve indicators, one for the chimes and one for timekeeping. The watch
is available in a limited edition of eight, very likely to appeal to collectors in
Asia where eight is an especially lucky number.
Bulgari has also re-introduced its ancient-coin-covered Octo Roma
Monete, another piece Bulgari debuted last year as a one-off watch that was
sold with a chain to convert the piece into a pocket watch if desired.
Where the earlier model was gold set with diamonds on the bezel, the
three new Monete unique pieces each boast a different metal (platinum,
titanium and pink gold) used to make up its 44mm octagonal Octo Roma
case. The Octo Roma Monete’s ancient Roman coin case top flips open at the
touch of the crown to reveal the world’s thinnest tourbillon (caliber BVL 268
SK equipped with flying tourbillon).
84 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2019
Several new Octo Roma Tourbillon Sapphire Skeleton model continue to
emphasize the depth and clarity of the watch’s dramatic design. These new
models, one with jade and one with lapis lazuli around the case and inside
with bezel and along several bridges, represent the first time these types of
stones have been used in watch’s aimed at men.
Rounding out the timepieces seen at the Shanghai presentation are
several Divas’ Dream models. The Divas’ Dream Finissima Minute Repeater
($187,000), yet another record-breaking debut (the watch is currently the
thinnest minute repeater set into a watch for women), is set with diamonds
around the blue aventurine dial that features the fan-shaped Divas’ Dream
charm/minute repeater lever. Two other Divas’ dream models, one for the
Chinese market (with a ‘paper-cut’ design) and one with a skeletonized dial,
are also new.
The addition of jewels to many of Bulgari’s complicated watches is another
step in understanding Bulgari as a brand, according to Bulgari CEO Jean-
Christophe Babin.
“It is important for Bulgari to emphasize its expertise as a jeweler,” Babin
says. “This goes a long way to let the consumer understand our brand, which
helps them better understand all our products.”