BASELREVIEW2017
Complications/Technical
BULGARI
OCTO FINISSIMO
AUTOMATIC
BULGARI’S ULTRA-THIN TIMEPIECE trifecta garnered considerable attention at
Baselworld 2017. Three years after debuting the thinnest tourbillon (the Octo
Finissimo Tourbillon) and just a year after showing the world’s thinnest minute
repeater, Bulgari this year expanded its ultra-thin bona fides with a third title
holder, the Octo Finissimo Automatic, now the thinnest watch available operating
with an automatic movement.
Measuring just 5.15mm thin, with an in-house caliber BLV138 movement
comprising only 2.23mm of that total, the 40mm diameter sandblasted titanium
watch is a lightweight, highly refined work of Italo-Swiss design. The watch’s case
design retains the Octo’s sophisticated circle-over-octagon bezel and case profile,
which clearly identifies the watch as the youngest member of the sleek Octo
Finissimo family.
But unlike late year’s repeater, which saw Bulgari cut slits into the dial to
enhance the chime’s sound, this watch bears black PVD markers and numerals on
its titanium dial to ensure peak legibility. The dial’s small offset seconds subdial
(directly connected to the seconds wheel underneath) underlines Bulgari’s well-
considered design sense.
Using a platinum rotor and with a 21,600-vph rate, the watch boasts a 60-hour
power reserve. The movement, visible from the back, is hand-decorated exercise in
minimal gearing with four bridges placed amid expertly applied Côtes de Genève
and circular-grained finishing. A simple ceramic inlay decorates the titanium crown.
Prices: $12,800 (leather strap); $13,900 (titanium bracelet).
CZAPEK
PLACE VENDOME
TOURBILLON SUSPENDU
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS UPSTART BRAND with historic roots has attracted
the attention of collectors and has already been awarded the the Public Prize in the
GPHG last year. You’re looking at a 43.5mm platinum (or gold)-cased watch with
in-house movement with off-center tourbillon, hours/minutes located at 12 o’clock,
second time zone, day/night and power reserve indication.
126 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2017