The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual Black Titanium

Although the star attraction at Bulgari’s will undoubtedly be the new record-breaking Octo Finissimo Ultra, the Italian brand will also be presenting three iterations of the watch that started Bulgari’s trailblazing campaign of ultra-thin winners. Unveiled in 2014, the record-breaking Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Tourbillon wowed the watchmaking world with the thinnest tourbillon movement (1.95mm) ever manufactured. One of the three models launching this week is this handsome black DLC titanium version of the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon with a skeletonised movement. 

Appearing in a variety of handsome suits, the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon stripped off in 2017 with a skeletonised version exposing the heart and soul of the ultra-thin movement in an expensive platinum case. When Bulgari set out to conquer the world with its ultra-thin Octo Finissimo watches, it understood that a collection could not survive on ultra-lean credentials alone. By dressing its watches with a bold, sexy, contemporary Italian look, the Octo Finissimo has positioned itself as a fresh, attractive alternative. This year, the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton returns in a dark matte suit, providing a high-contrast background for the mechanical showmanship.

The 2024 Octo FInissimo Tourbillon glides in with a 40mm sandblasted titanium case with a matte black DLC treatment and a profile of 4.85mm. Although the dark case somewhat attenuates the facets of the stepped geometry, it gives the watch a strikingly modern appearance. In a departure from an all-black look, the crown is polished rose gold with a black ceramic insert. In a similar vein to the 2019 carbon iteration that married the model’s record-breaking thinness with lightness (it weighed just 48 grams), this titanium model also ensures a featherlight sensation on the wrist.

In keeping with the contemporary style of the family, the skeletonisation is symmetrical and plays with volumes, transparency and contrasting materials. To highlight the diaphanous skeletonised movement, the bridges are treated with a black DLC coating and circular brushing contrasting with the rhodium-plated moving parts. While skeletonised movements tend to be quite difficult to digest, the tight symmetry of the Octo Finissimo is obtained with the exposed barrel at noon and the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Another touch of contrast is obtained with the rose gold-plated hands and the golden minute markings on the flange that echo the colour of the balance wheel that is regulated with the small collets.

Like all former manual-winding versions of the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, the watch is powered by Bulgari’s 268SK ultra-thin 1.95mm movement with a flying tourbillon, a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 52 hours.

Compounding the sleek black look, the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon comes on a black rubber strap with a sandblasted black DLC titanium pin buckle. The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual Black Titanium retails for EUR 145,000.

For more information, please consult bulgari.com.