Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra

Once again we are presented with a record breaking timepiece by Bvlgari. This technological achievement is set with the new “Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra” which is officially the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. Since 2014 we’ve seen Bvlgari experiment with various complications and designs, all while beating their own previous records, just like now. Plus this highly limited timepiece even ventures into the realm of NFT’s.The octagonal case has a 40mm diameter and is made of micro-bead blasted titanium. But, the impressive measurements appear when we take a look at it sideways and confirm the 1.80mm thickness, which continues on with its integrated bracelet.On the flip-side is a solid caseback, which has been engraved with a cursive font that reads “OCTO Finissimo Ultra 180”. This portion of the case, as well as the exposed main-plate are made of DLC coated tungsten-carbide alloy.Mounted to the case is a bezel that along with the mid-case section are both fully fixed to the back with screws. To achieve such thinness, the watch had to be topped off by a 0.3mm-thin sapphire crystal, attached to the bezel. Plus instead of a standard circular or conical shaped setting-crown, they had to use a winding crown and adjustment lever located on the caseback. Water-resistance can only reach up to 10 meters (33 feet), but this limitation is not a deal breaker, given all the technical expertise at play here.Bulgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani explained that: "The challenge of this eighth record was the most difficult to overcome, since we had to break the rules not only in terms of movement design, but also of the case, the caseback, the bracelet and the folding clasp. To achieve this degree of thinness, you not only have to review your way of thinking, but you must also draw upon a wide range of skills, play with multiple materials and adapt to a multitude of new constraints".Time is exhibited on two off-set dials, one telling the current hour, while the other tells the minutes; both expressed with mostly index markers and a few Arabic numerals, while pointed out by black PVD hands. But, a small third wheel was also added as a small seconds, placed near the 6 o’clock position. This is not exactly an open-worked dial, although several of its internal parts are exposed, due to the record-breaking thinness of this timepiece.Meanwhile the biggest element of this dial is a QR code engraved on the barrel’s ratchet wheel. Scanning this code will give exclusive access to unique contents such as interviews, making-of segments, a virtual 3D tour of the movement, and an exploration of the visible/invisible concept linked to the watch. Plus each of the ten first Octo Finissimo Ultra timepieces will be delivered with an exclusive NFT artwork which, with the support of blockchain technology can guarantee the authenticity of each watch.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra

The “Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra” (Ref#: 103611) is powered by the in-house hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber BVL180 with 21 jewels, 170 components, and 21,600 vph. Power reserve can last up to 50 hours, when fully wound.Mounted to the watch is a bracelet made up of links with a 1.80mm thickness, which allow the perfect continuation of the case size. But, as a means of reference this bracelet is twice as thin as the previous Octo Finissimo bracelet. This is a limited edition of only 10 manufactured pieces, for more up to date information visit the official Bvlgari website here.

 

Bvlgari, Bulgari, Octo, Finissimo, Ultra, NFT, Luxury Watches