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A Closer Look at The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar

Bulgari

Bulgari announced the pending release of a new model it's adding to the collection of exquisite timepieces. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar is arguably the thinnest wristwatch ever produced in the history of watchmaking. The new watch is stirring excitement in the watch community. It signals a tremendous achievement in horologic technology and innovation. This watch deserves more than a glance or a casual nod. We take a closer look at Bulgari's Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar and the engineering that has gone into the development of this very special wristwatch.

A modern marvel in technical expertise

Hodinkee points out that Bulgari as a brand has undergone an evolution in its innovation and watchmaking expertise. The brand has long been held in high regard, but it's now advanced from a somewhat well-known yet sidelined brand to one of the emerging innovators in watchmaking technicality. This is perhaps one of the greatest achievements a watchmaker can accomplish as it cements their place in the history books, or at least, it should. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar is an example of the evolution of the watchmaker with its ultra-thin design and the miniaturization the engineers have accomplished without compromising the integrity of timekeeping. In a society that values more with less in terms of size, it's an overall winner. The watch speaks to the skill of the technicians employed at Bulgari. When we speak of complications in watch movements, depth qualifies in this category when it takes the bulkiness out of the watch and delivers the ultimate in thinness and comfort on the wrist, breaking its own records.

A close look at the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar

The first and perhaps most exciting feature of the watch is its thickness. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar comes in at a depth of just 5.80 mm. Its ultra-thin profile is one of the things that catches the eye at a glance because it is so uncommon. This aesthetic is possible because of an ultra-thin movement that is just 2.75 mm in thickness. It's a feat to accomplish this with a perpetual calendar complication. There is absolutely no waste of space within the mechanical components of the movement.

The case

Quill and Pad takes us through the unique specifications of the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar. The case measures 40 mm in diameter with a depth of 5.8 mm in a wafer-thin size offered in a choice of either brushed platinum or blasted titanium metals. The unique shape of the case is where the Octo portion of its name originates. The round-shaped bezel is a fixed style that sits atop a series of beveled steps. The angles give the watch the ultra-thin platform its octagonal shape. An exhibition case-back reveals a few aspects of the movement, yet the intention of this feature is not to create a showpiece. There are no skeletonizations, just the compactness of this movement for the sake of conserving space.

The dial

The dial is another noteworthy feature of the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar. It's available in a choice of blue or white backgrounds, depending on the variant you choose. Bulgari has bypassed the traditional date window and has instead gone with three subdials placed at the lower third of the timepiece, separately indicating the months, the day, and the numerical date with round subdials that use hands to point to the date features. The hours and minutes appear in the upper part of the dial.

The movement

Bulgari describes the movement as an ultra-thin 2.75 mm caliber BVL 305 automatic movement with an auto-correcting perpetual calendar with retrograde date including date, day, and month. There is also a retrograde leap year indication. The auto-correction happens at the end of a 30-day month. The watch even autocorrects during a leap year and at the end of February. Other functions are hours and minutes with a power reserve of 60 hours. The powerplant beats at 4 Hz or 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The strap

The platinum version of the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar with the blue dial features a strap made of genuine alligator leather. The closure for the leather version is a pin and buckle, made of the same materials used for the case. The titanium version features a metal bracelet made of the same material as the case with a folding clasp-style closure that keeps the timepiece firmly affixed to the wrist.

Other facts about the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar

The titanium version of this watch is Reference number 103200. The Platinum is listed as reference number 103463. The dial is protected with a flat sapphire crystal lens that keeps dust and moisture out of the timepiece, with a flat sapphire crystal protecting the backside of the exhibition case. This watch is resistant to water up to 30 meters.

Pricing and availability

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar catch is available directly from Bulgari's online shop, or from authorized retailers and boutiques who carry the brand. The price for the titanium version is set at $59,000, and $89,000 for the platinum version.

Final thoughts

Bulgari has done it again with yet another record-breaking example of its continually evolving technological advances in watchmaking. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar has set a new record with its ultra-thin profile. The brand has maintained a strong record for setting and breaking its own records in watchmaking innovations. It's a brand that has earned a place of respect in the watchmaking community. Although not as prolific as some of the other high-end brands, it's time that the world stands up and takes notice of Bulgari's significant contributions to horologic innovations. This is one for the history books and Bulgari has just raised the bar to an incredible height for rivals who seek to design the thinnest timepieces. The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar may be one of its most impressive variants to date, no pun intended.

Lily Wordsmith

Written by Lily Wordsmith

Lily Wordsmith is a freelance writer who has had a love affair with the written word for decades. You can find her writing blog posts and articles while sitting under a tree at the local park watching her kids play, or typing away on her tablet in line at the DMV. In addition to her freelance career, she is pursuing ebook writing with an ever-growing repertoire of witty ebooks to her name. Her diversity is boundless, and she has written about everything from astrobotany to zookeepers. Her real passions are her family, baking desserts and all things luxe.

Read more posts by Lily Wordsmith

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