To mark Bulgari’s 140th anniversary, the Manufacture is presenting new Octo Finissimo with a “Sketch” dial. In March 2022, Bulgari presented a “Sketch” dial for the first time as a limited edition. The three-hand watch and chronograph celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Octo Finissimo and featured a sketched design study by Product Creation Executive Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani for the dial. This same man has made another effort for the new edition, with the dials now showing a view of the movement as if you were looking through the case back. On the one hand, there is a rose gold version with a dial that picks up on the color of the precious metal. There is also a steel case with a matching dial. There is also the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch, which also features the complication.
Both versions measure 40 mm in diameter and an impressively slim 6.4 mm in height. The cases remain true to the collection and feature a complex composition of several geometric shapes. The surfaces are both satin-finished and polished. This is complemented by a wafer-thin bracelet made of case material. However, the sapphire crystal case back bears an engraved inscription “EDIZIONE LIMITATA” and “1884 – 2024”, thus celebrating the brand’s anniversary. The water resistance of both watches is 100 meters.
Despite the same design on both versions, the two Bulgari Octo Finissimo Sketch pieces evoke different emotions. The warm tones of the rose gold create a cultivated elegance that puts the focus on the craftsmanship. The gray dial of the steel version, on the other hand, exudes an urban look with pencil-like gray lines on an off-white canvas. In both cases, you can see a drawing of the movement as if you were looking through the transparent back. The positions and proportions of the parts correspond to the physical representation. The time is indicated by two blackened main hands together with a small seconds hand at the typical 7 o’clock position.
The movement that sets the hands in motion is the in-house BVL 138, which measures just 2.23 mm in height thanks to the platinum micro-rotor. The automatic winding system powers the mainspring barrel, which has a maximum power reserve of 60 hours. The balance lies securely in a bridge and operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour or 3 Hz. Meanwhile, the mechanism is finished with Côtes de Genève.
The model with chronograph has a 43 mm stainless steel case and measures 8.75 mm in height. The dial shows the construction of the BVL 318 caliber. The column wheel, the balance wheel and the three sub-dials, which offer a small seconds, a 30-minute counter and a 24-hour display, are all to be seen.
The rose gold case is limited to 70 pieces and costs 51,000 euros while the steel version is limited to 280 pieces and costs 17,800 euros. Last but not least, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Sketch will be released in 140 pieces at a price of 20,800 euros.
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