Bulgari presents two versions of the Octo Roma WorldTimer, which can display 24 time zones. The Italians have housed the watch in the typical angular case. The version with a blue dial is joined by a watch with a black DLC coating. With the double disc on the dial, the time of various places on earth can be checked with ease.
The Bulgari Octo Roma WorldTimer appears in an octagonal case made of 904L stainless steel. Brushed surfaces alternate here with polished edges. The company also presents a black version with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating. Both, however, measure 41 mm in diameter and a slender 11.35 mm in height. Meanwhile, a screw-in crown enables water resistance of 100 metres. On the back, the sapphire crystal case back allows a view of the movement inside.
The dial of the Bulgari Octo Roma WorldTimer is blue with a sunburst finish while the black version has a matt black, sandblasted dial. Only on this version do the hands, numerals and hour-markers have a Super-LumiNova coating – the blue dial has to manage without luminescent material. The main time is indicated from the centre, while the other time zones are displayed on the periphery.
Around the dial, the watchmakers place 24 reference cities that represent as many time zones. Bulgari chooses the cities according to its own measurements. Rome, for example, stands for Central European Time, while luxurious St. Barth indicates the time in the Caribbean. With the crown, the time zones can be adjusted together with the 24-hour disc according to the main time. This way, the wearer has all 24 main time zones in view.
The BVL257 calibre enables the world time function. This movement comes from the manufacture in Le Sentier in the Vallée de Joux and is therefore “Swiss made”. The automatic winding mechanism recharges the watch to a maximum power reserve of 42 hours. The crown, which is also used to adjust the two discs, is sufficient for operation. The manufacture decorates the movement with Geneva stripes and also provides smooth edges. Last but not least, the Bulgari lettering can be seen on the rotor.
The Octo Roma WorldTimer with blue dial appears on a matching steel bracelet with folding clasp. In contrast, the black version has a textured black rubber strap with a pin buckle. Both are available immediately at a price of 8,600 euros.
