D.C. Hannay
Bulgari continues to set the standard in slim, elegant timepieces with the newest releases from their iconic Octo Finissimo lineup.Their new yellow gold version is now available with a blue lacquered sunburst dial, and the special edition steel model comes in a salmon Tuscan Copper colourway.Both feature a stunningly slim 6.4mm case height, along with a micro-rotor movement just over 2mm thick.Bulgari made a huge splash with their introduction of the slender, sculptural Octo Finissimo nearly ten years ago, and have continued to refine the lineup, breaking records in thinness year after year. Their latest releases, the 18k yellow gold version with a deep blue dial, and the new Tuscan Copper edition in 904L stainless steel continue that tradition of avant-garde elegance.Despite a slight case height of just 6.4mm, the Octo Finissimo features both a sapphire display caseback and a full 100 metres of water resistance. The 40mm case's unique stepped construction shows off lovely satin brushed and polished finishing on both the gold and steel versions, showing a greater presence than the stealthier titanium and ceramic versions, yet retaining a perfect balance of bling and sophistication. A distinctive black ceramic insert caps off the crowns on both models.Yes, Bulgari has released even thinner watches in the Octo line, but this time-only model manages to hit the sweet spot in terms of wearability for most wrists. It's not so absurdly thin as to feel fragile, nor is it overbulked with complications. As the fairy tale goes, this one is just right.The dials are, of course, wonderful to behold, and exceptionally finished, as you'd expect from Bulgari. The combination of yellow gold and blue is a tried and true classic, and this one is no exception. The blue lacquer gets a shimmery sunray finish, and sports gilded hands and applied markers, with their signature big numerals at 12 and 6. A small seconds display also gets the gold treatment, again, jumping off the deep blue dial.The special edition steel model looks fetching in Bulgari's salmon-adjacent Tuscan Copper', which offers the opportunity for some amazing pop from the silvery rhodium-plated hands and indices. Salmon dials are always a popular choice among the watch cognoscenti, and this one gets the hue exactly right. Bulgari's Executive Director of Product Creation (and Octo Finissimo designer) Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani credits the 16th Century Italian Mannerism movement as the inspiration behind the distinctive dial colour.Speaking of movements, Bulgari continues to impress with their beauty and trim dimensions, utilising the manufacture BVL138 in both models. Of course it's lovely, with a visible balance wheel and its plates adorned with some fine Geneva striping. Just 2.23mm thin, it features a platinum micro-rotor, 31 jewels, a beat rate of 21,600 vph, and a substantial 60 hour power reserve.Bulgari Octo Finissimo Yellow Gold and Tuscan Copper pricing and availabilityThe Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic is available now. Price: 48,700 (Yellow Gold), 14,800 (Tuscan Copper)BrandBulgariModelOcto Finissimo Yellow GoldOcto Finissimo Tuscan CopperReference103812103856Case Dimensions40mm (D) x 6.4mm (T)Case Material18k yellow gold904L stainless steelWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBlue lacquered sunburstTuscan Copper sunburstBraceletFlat link, case-matching bracelet, folding claspMovementBVL 138, in-house, platinum micro-rotorPower Reserve60 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small secondsAvailabilityNowPrice48,700 (Yellow Gold)14,800 (Tuscan Copper)
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