The Roman brand’s Watches & Wonders roster includes it’s ninth title holder for the planet’s slimmest timepiece.
Ten years ago, Bulgari forever changed the landscape of ultra-thin watchmaking with the release of the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, marking the thinnest tourbillon movement and thinnest tourbillon watch at the time. Since then, the brand has gone on to break a total of eight world records for horological slimness with its Octo Finissimo collection. Now, a decade after that initial groundbreaking tourbillon, Bulgari has done it again—notched its ninth world record in 10 years. On Monday, the brand unveiled its latest, cutting-edge interpretation of the Octo Finissimo Ultra, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, and thinnest COSC-certified chronometer at just 1.70mm thick. The monumental model launches alongside a slew of other new watches within the Octo family as well as new additions to the brand’s iconic Serpenti collection.
Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC
Bulgari first unveiled the Octo Finissmo Ultra in 2022 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Octo Finissimo collection. The model gave Bulgari its impressive eighth world record, for the thinnest mechanical watch. At just 1.80 mm thick, it beat out the previous record holder—the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept—by 0.20 mm. Now, on the monumental 10th anniversary of shattering the first world record within the Octo collection, Bulgari further refines the Octo Finissimo Ultra with an even slimmer case design, measuring just 1.70 mm thick, and the added bonus of COSC chronometer certification. One of the key factors in achieving this monumental feat may surprise you: the optimization of the sapphire crystal. Through patient, meticulous, incremental steps, the engineers were able to shave off that critical tenth of a millimeter to set a new world record. The model debuts today in a limited run of just 20 pieces.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Titanium
Movement: BVL 180 manufacture manual winding mechanical ultra-thin movement with regulator display and COSC certification
Power Reserve: 50-hours
Straps: Sandblasted titanium bracelet with fully integrated folding buckle, 1.50mm thin
Price: $529,000
Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum
As if the record shattering slimness of the new Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC wasn’t enough, Bulgari has upped the luxury factor within the Ultra lineup with an all-new platinum model. This version retains the slightly thicker proportions of the 2022 model, measuring just 1.8 mm thick. However, like the new record-breaking model, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum offers the benefit of the BVL 180 movement with COSC chronometer certification. Bulgari officially unveils the Ultra Platinum today in a limited edition of 20 pieces.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Platinum
Movement: BVL 180 manufacture manual winding mechanical ultra-thin movement with regulator display and COSC certification
Power Reserve: 50-hours
Straps: Satin-polished platinum bracelet with fully integrated folding buckle in satin-finish titanium, 1.50 mm thin
Price: $546,000
Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual in DLC-Treated Titanium
Alongside the Octo notching Bulgari its astounding nineth world record, we get several new additions to the Octo lineup, including a trio of tourbillons. Two house the brand’s BVL 268SK manufacture manual winding mechanical ultra-thin skeletonized movement with a flying tourbillon. The first offers a thoroughly modern aesthetic thanks to a sandblasted titanium case with black DLC treatment. The beautiful rose gold hands and chapter ring leap off the blacked out watch, giving this otherwise sporty timepiece a subtle touch of sophistication.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Sandblasted titanium with black DLC treatment
Movement: BVL 268SK manufacture manual winding mechanical ultra-thin skeletonized
movement with a flying tourbillon
Power Reserve: 52-hours
Straps: Black rubber strap
Price: $127,000
Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual in Rose Gold
Bulgari’s second variation of its manual-wound Octo Finissimo Tourbillon offers a totally different look and feel than its modern-looking black counterpart. A stunning rose gold case frames the skeletonized dial, which takes on a gunmetal gray finish. We get additional contrast to the rose gold case with a deep brown alligator leather strap.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Satin-polished rose gold
Movement: BVL 268SK manufacture manual winding mechanical ultra-thin skeletonized
movement with a flying tourbillon
Power Reserve: 52-hours
Straps: Brown alligator leather strap
Price: $154,000
Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic
In addition to the two manual-wind iterations of the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, we get an automatic version. Once again, Bulgari gives this variation a bolstered touch of luxury with a platinum construction. This model also gets a playful splash of color with sandblasted blue plates, visible through the open work dial. A complementary blue alligator leather strap completes the cool colorway. Inside the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic you’ll find the BVL 288 manufacture automatic winding mechanical ultra-thin skeletonized flying tourbillon movement.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Platinum
Movement: BVL 288 manufacture automatic winding mechanical ultra-thin skeletonized
movement with a flying tourbillon
Power Reserve: 52-hours
Straps: Blue alligator leather strap
Price: $196,000
Octo Roma Automatic Steel DLC
Last but certainly not least among the new additions to the Octo family, we get two fresh takes on the Octo Roma. First, we have a classic three-hander that’s been blacked out with a durable DLC treatment. For Bulgari, the all-black concept transcends the recent trend. Historically, in the world of art and design, the color black has been used to absorb light and create depth. With that in mind, Bulgari has specifically designed every shape and texture of its new Octo Roma models to maximize the effects of black surfaces.
Case Size: 41 mm
Case Material: Stainless steel with full black DLC treatment
Movement: BVL 191 mechanical automatic in-house movement
Power Reserve: 42-hours
Straps: Black rubber and black alligator leather straps
Price: $8,050
Octo Roma Chronograph
Bulgari first introduced the Octo Roma collection back in 2012, and the collection was marked by its distinctive octagonal shape. The latest additions to the Roma family of watches continue to embody that original DNA with their case design and geometry, but with a modern, edgy full black DLC treatment. Alongside the traditional three-hander, we also get this chronograph powered by Bulgari’s BVL 399 mechanical automatic in-house movement. This Octo Roma Chronograph provides a sporty alternative with slightly larger 42mm proportions.
Case Size: 42 mm
Case Material: Stainless steel with full black DLC treatment
Movement: BVL 399 mechanical automatic in-house movement with chronograph
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Straps: Black rubber and black alligator leather straps
Price: $9,900
Tadao Ando Serpenti Summer
Bulgari also unveils four new Serpenti references—one for each season—but that’s not all. These new models mark the first-ever artistic collaboration within the Serpenti Tubogas collection. For the occasion, Bulgari has tapped Japanese architect Tadao Ando. You may remember Ando’s designs within the Octo collection back in 2020 and again in 2021. For the Serpenti collection, Ando found himself inspired by nature, giving us four unique models echoing the seasons. At the core of each is the art of colorful marquetry. For the summer edition, we get a green aventurine dial. The rich and verdant hue reflects the lush intensity of a sun-drenched forest. A warm yellow gold case is paired with a two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold bracelet.
Case Size: 35 mm
Case Material: Yellow gold/steel
Movement: Quartz
Straps: One twirl stainless steel and yellow gold bracelet, 135 mm.
Price: $16,800
Tadao Ando Serpenti Autumn
For Ando’s interpretation of autumn, we get a different combination of materials and metals. Here, the look is more monochromatic with a gorgeous brown tiger’s eye stone dial and a warm rose gold build. The color scheme of the dial and metal evoke the falling leaves that signal autumn and the coming of winter.
Case Size: 35 mm
Case Material: Rose gold
Movement: Quartz
Straps: One twirl rose gold bracelet, 135 mm
Price: $41,600
Tadao Ando Serpenti Winter
Speaking of winter, here we get a fittingly cooler color palette from the choice of stone for the dial to the metal of the case and bracelet. Ando selected a classic wintery white mother of pearl dial paired with a traditional stainless steel build. The combination instantly conjures the icy feeling of the first snow.
Case Size: 35 mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Movement: Quartz
Straps: One twirl stainless steel bracelet in either 135 mm or 145 mm
Price: $10,900
Tadao Ando Serpenti Spring
For the final season, we once again get a warmer combination of materials and metals, signaling the warmer days to come after a harsh winter. For this fourth and final version within the new Serpenti lineup, Ando opted for a pink mother of pearl dial and rose gold case coupled with a two-tone rose gold and stainless steel bracelet. The choice of a pink dial is a direct reflection of the architect’s roots, giving nod to the cherry blossom trees that create a cotton candy landscape across Japan each spring.
Case Size: 35 mm
Case Material: Rose gold
Movement: Quartz
Straps: One twirl stainless steel and rose gold bracelet in either 135 mm or 145 mm
Price: $16,400
