Bulgari, one of the most popular brands of luxury watchmaking, introduced the new models of Octo Finissimo to watch lovers and industry people in the LVMH Dubai Watch 2020 event hosted by the LVMH Group. The most popular part of the collection was the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater, where we keep our all ears (!) open.
Octo Finissimo, with its complications offered in ultra-thin cases, succeeded in having its name written in letters of gold as a record-breaking brand in the world of luxury watchmaking. In fact, the novelties that I was waiting impatiently before the event starts were from Bulgari and Octo Finissimo Collection. I was even more pleased to see that the most important piece of the entire collection has the minute repeater complication. At the end of the day, my favorite complication was in my favorite case. Let's move on to the details of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater, shall we?
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater (Ref. 103279) comes in a sandblasted 18K rose gold case with a sapphire crystal display case back. Let me answer the most asked question; the total height of the case is only 6.90mm. The case is also water-resistant to 30 meters. The winding crown and the pusher are also made of sandblasted 18K rose gold.
The record-breaking Octo Finissimo with minute repeater complication was introduced in 2016 with a titanium case. That particular model created a new paradigm shift in the ultra-thin concept, that is, a fundamental change to the traditional mode of action, and laid the foundation for a new approach to mechanics and classical complications while maintaining the legendary status. In this sense, we can say that Bulgari, which is based on jewelry, has revolutionized the luxury watchmaking industry.
The most striking part of the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater's dial, which is also made of sandblasted 18K rose gold like the case, is the cut shape of the sub-dial at 6 o’clock and the hour markers. I don't think we need to re-write that minute repeater is one of the most difficult and challenging complications of watchmaking. However, it is perhaps the most difficult of all to break its own record and apply this complication to an even thinner case. That's exactly why Bulgari used the cut design and thanks to these openings, they managed to optimize the sound effect by strengthening the resonance inside the case.
Let's get to the movement that makes Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater beat. The hand-wound movement Caliber BVL362, which is only 3.12mm thick, powers the model. The movement provides a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound.
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater is complemented with a matt alligator strap and an 18K Ardillon buckle.
