Bulgari, a storied name in the jewelry industry since the 19th century, has dramatically shifted its focus over the past decade. Known primarily for its exquisite jewelry, the Swiss-Italian brand gained prominence in the horological world with the 2014 debut of the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual, the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch. The company’s reputation for innovation continued with the 2022 release of the Octo Finissimo Ultra, briefly holding the title of the world’s thinnest watch. Bulgari’s latest collection reaffirms its position as a leading watchmaker with three new releases that blend advanced engineering with artistic flair.
Octo Roma Grand Sonnerie Tourbillon
The Octo Roma Grand Sonnerie Tourbillon represents a significant achievement in watchmaking, created in collaboration with Italian-Swiss conductor Lorenzo Viotti. This timepiece features a grand sonnerie complication, which allows it to chime automatically at regular intervals throughout the hour, a notable advancement from the traditional minute-repeater. The watch is equipped with four gongs and hammers, doubling the standard number found in conventional minute-repeaters. In grand sonnerie mode, it chimes the hours and quarters, and can also repeat these intervals on demand.
Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon
Building on the complexity of the minute-repeater, the Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon incorporates three gongs to produce a richer, more layered sound. This model also benefits from Viotti’s expertise, featuring chimes tuned to create a “tritone” or ‘Devil’s Interval,’ a dissonant chord used by composers from John Coltrane to Stravinsky and Metallica. Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bulgari’s Executive Director of Product Creation, emphasizes that this new approach to horological musicality represents a break from traditional Westminster tones, introducing a novel auditory experience.
Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon
The third watch in Bulgari’s new collection, the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon, revisits one of the brand’s boldest designs from the past decade. Retaining the original’s remarkable 6.85 mm thickness, the new iteration swaps the titanium case for an ultralight carbon composite. This update also features a cutaway dial crafted from carbon, adding depth and texture to the watch’s ultra-modern design.
Bulgari Aluminum GMT x Fender Limited Edition
Continuing its musical theme, Bulgari introduces the Aluminum GMT x Fender Limited Edition, inspired by the renowned guitar maker Fender. This limited-edition timepiece, restricted to just 1,200 pieces, merges the practicality of a GMT watch with a color scheme reminiscent of the iconic Fender Stratocaster. Its design reflects Bulgari’s commitment to blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Bulgari’s latest releases demonstrate its ongoing commitment to innovation and artistry, cementing its place among the world’s elite watchmakers.
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