Baselworld 2017 – Shine a Light – The Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire

In early 2017, Bulgari unveiled a new addition to its emblematic Octo collection. True to the designs codes of the collection, (in particular a circle framed by an octagon), the lines of Roma have been smoothed featuring only 58 facets instead of the traditional 110 of the regular models. The Roma captures the traditional chic of the collection with urban, universal appeal. Inspired by a bold and nonconformist vision of watchmaking, the Roma is now enhanced with a luminescent tourbillon movement, revealing its inner workings in complete transparency. Meet the Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire.

With the Octo Tourbillon sapphire, Bulgari has broken away from the traditional codes to create a non-conformist, futuristic style (somehow reminiscent of some of the brand’s daring Magsonic designs). The contrast of colors and materials, depth and 3D architecture of the movement are indeed striking. Shadow and light effects transform our perception. Its skeletonized movement is regulated by a tourbillon and comes in a sandblasted finish. Ten bridges radiates from its center serving as indexes. These bridges are enhanced with green luminescent material bars crafted from Superluminovaâ and ITR2â (a hard composite material with carbon nanotubes particles – the acronym stands for Innovative, Technical, Revolutionary Resin). Hovering above the movement, the openworked arrow-shaped black hands with luminescent tip seem to be suspended in mid-air.

A fascinating piece of ingenuity, the in-house caliber BVL206 with manual winding, is regulated by a flying tourbillon making a full rotation every 60 seconds. Defying gravity, its regulator is cantilevered, secured to the plate only, with no upper bridge and thus provides an unimpeded view of this captivating ballet. Its cage is hand finished to the highest standards. Running at 21’600 vibrations per hour, its power reserve is rated at 64 hours. The BLV206 caliber also incorporates a smart time-setting indicator: pressing the crown displays a red dot in a tiny aperture at 3 o’clock, thereby signalling that the time may be set by simply turning the crown. Once the operation is complete, another press causes the dot to vanish and locks the time-setting mechanism.

To complete this modern, futuristic style, the Octo Tourbillon sapphire case is forged from titanium coated with black DLC; its ‘sandwich’ construction features a middle part made of sapphire with green ITR2 and Superluminova cylinders. At 44mm, (versus 41mm for the ‘regular’ Roma watches), its diameter is in line with the overall bold style. The scratch resistant sapphire crystal sapphire has double sided anti-reflective treatment.

The Bulgari Octo Tourbillon sapphire is worn on a black rubberized alligator strap closed with a titanium folding buckle. Price: CHF 65,000. More information at www.bulgari.com.

Technical specifications Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire

• Case: 44 mm diameter x 12.45 mm thick – black DLC titanium – sapphire crystal on the front and on the back with antireflective coating. Water resistant to 50m.
• Movement: BLV206 with manual winding – 34.00 x 5.00 mm – 64h power reserve – 21’600 vibrations/h – 20 jewels – hours, minutes, flying tourbillon.
• Strap: rubberized alligator strap with titanium folding clasp.
• Price: CHF 65,000