The new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra is now the world’s slimmest mechanical watch, measuring 1.8mm (a bit thinner than the thickness of a US nickel). In fact, the Octo Finissimo Ultra is the brand’s eighth record-thin luxury watch. The watch comes in a 40mm sandblasted titanium case with a bracelet crafted of remarkably thin links – also in sandblasted titanium.
Given how thin the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra is, the layout, design, way of fabrication, and material of every component one can think of in a mechanical watch had to be specially developed to support the ultra-thin goal and the structural integrity of the finished piece. Needless to say, the watch could not have a regular crown – it would either be too large next to the watch or too small and flimsy to allow for actual use. The front view reveals two rotating “knobs” on either side of the case and the complete absence of a regular dial reveals their connection to various parts of the Bvlgari BVL 180 movement. To the left, the “crown” is linked to the mainspring barrel to recharge the impressive 50-hour power reserve. The operating frequency is 28,800 vph (4 Hertz).
Time displays have been separated into two, with hours and minutes being shown on two subdials. When the goal is to achieve 1.80mm overall thickness, you can’t even afford to have overlapping hands over a single dial, you have to set them up separately, but in the same plane. The hands are black PVD-coated for better contrast against the gray background. This Bvlgari watch comes with a laser-engraved QR code on the ratchet wheel. It comes with an NFT to help with authentication and to make it more relevant. The QR code takes you to an exclusive NFT artwork plus access to the watch’s history, design, and production process. Bvlgari is producing only 10 Octo Finissimo Ultras.
In other horological news, Bremont releases the Bremont x Williams Racing Box Set, celebrating its partnership with Williams Racing.
