Signing Off On 2018 With The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton

Few watches have made such a mark on the industry in recent years as the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo. That it is a design statement is not so surprising, it is after all a Bvlgari, but it is also the watch that cemented the brand’s reputation as bonafide manufacture among the general watch-buying public. The fact that Bvlgari did this with a range of ultra-slim movements is very surprising, yet at the same time not so surprising at all. When most brands want to truly establish themselves as a manufacture, they start making complicated watches, not ultra-slim movements that only tell time. However, one of the benefits that ultra-slim movements provide is far more freedom regarding the design of the watch. That is of course when you are able to design and make a reliable, ultra-slim movement in the first place.

While the regular Octo Finissimo is a stunning creation, the skeleton version adds only to the magic. By showing the inner workings of the watch, the admiration for its movement only grows. Caliber BVL 128SK is 36mm in diameter and only 2.35mm thick. It is a very modern movement, not only in the way it looks but also in the way it is constructed. It runs at 28.800 vibrations per hour and its power reserve of 65 hours is more than even many movements with the same complications and twice the thickness offer.

Bvlgari gave the movement a very high-tech finish, which not only goes well with the design of the case but is also a reference to the technical accomplishment that this watch is. Even the asymmetrical design of the dial adds to that, with a small power reserve indicator placed just above the subdial dot the seconds; a pleasant addition to any manual wind watch.

The case itself is made from stainless steel which has been given a DLC-coating. This stands for Diamond-Like Carbon and is a very hard material with a deep, black color. To add a bit of contrast to the watch, Bvlgari opted for an 18k rose gold bezel. A stroke of genius, as this makes the watch, even more, an eyecatcher then it already is, yet at the same time give it also a bit more luxurious look. That’s why we consider it a great watch to pop open that last bottle of Champagne of the year, reflect one more time on all that happened in 2018 while looking forward to all that the new year will bring. From all of us at Haute Time; Happy New Year!