A Closer Look at the Exclusive Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition

The new Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition marks a noteworthy collaboration between the Roman luxury brand Bulgari and the long-established Swiss jeweller Gübelin. This special edition combines the octagonal case shape of the Octo Finissimo collection with blue accents created exclusively for this edition. The skeletonised dial offers a clear view of the delicate hand-wound BVL 199 SK movement, which measures just 2.50 millimetres in height and nonetheless delivers an impressive power reserve of eight days – that is, 192 hours. Here are all the details of this discreet special edition.

Case

The case of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton – Gübelin Special Edition measures 40 millimetres in diameter and is crafted entirely from lightweight titanium. The distinctive octagonal silhouette that gives the collection its name has been retained, complemented by subtly satin-brushed surfaces and polished edges that create dynamic light reflections across the material. Titanium offers the advantage of high corrosion resistance while remaining exceptionally light, enhancing long-term wearing comfort. The crown features a black ceramic insert that not only provides a visual contrast, but also improves the tactile experience when winding the watch. Furthermore, the case features a water resistance of 30 metres.

Dial

The skeletonised dial forms the centrepiece of this special edition: it grants an open view of the finely decorated BVL 199 SK calibre, including its bridges and the interplay of gears and mainspring barrel. In place of a solid dial, numerous components have been removed to place the spotlight on the mechanics. Bright blue hour and minute hands, along with matching hour markers, provide a subtle colour contrast developed exclusively for this edition. While skeletonised dials can occasionally compromise legibility, Bulgari addresses this with generously proportioned, faceted hands that offer sufficient contrast against the background. The small seconds display, featuring a matching blue hand, is positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock.

Movement

At the heart of the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition is the hand-wound BVL 199 SK calibre. Measuring just 2.50 millimetres in height, it is among the thinnest skeletonised movements available today. Bulgari is renowned for its ultra-thin movements and this year set its tenth world record since 2014 with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon. The new Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition has a remarkable power reserve of eight days (192 hours), thus manual winding is required only around once per week. At the same time, the skeletonisation demands exceptionally precise machining of all components to ensure both stability and timekeeping accuracy despite the movement’s extreme thinness.

Bulgari has also applied refined surface finishes and chamfered edges, which are especially visible through the transparent caseback. This crystal caseback reveals a discreet detail that highlights the watch’s uniqueness: the engraving “Gübelin Special Edition” in the same shade of blue as the hands.

Bracelet

The bracelet of the special edition is made from the same titanium as the case and features a folding clasp. The flat, satin-brushed links echo the aesthetic of the case. Titanium is also known to prevent common metal allergies and reduces the overall weight of the watch compared with stainless steel. Furthermore, the folding clasp allows for notable adjustment in length, accommodating a variety of wrist sizes.

Price & Availability of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition is limited to a strictly small number of pieces and is available exclusively through Gübelin boutiques. The retail price for the Gübelin Special Edition is CHF 27,900.

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