A new year brings a new breakthrough and yet another accomplishment by none other than Bulgari. This Baselworld 2018, the maison, set a new world thinness record for the fourth time in row with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic. Bulgari has had some sensational accomplishments. For example, back in 2014, when they first introduced the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, the thinnest watch at the time, followed by the the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in 2016 (The thinnest minute repeater on the market) and last year’s Octo Finissimo Automatic.
World Record Holders
At just 3.95mm, the new Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic is the thinnest watch on the market with a Tourbillon. And this time its skeletonised. How did they pull it off? Working on the basis of the Finissimo Tourbillon movement launched in 2014, this new development – Calibre BVL 288 – handles automatic winding via an innovative and attractive peripheral oscillating weight positioned on the back of the movement. It is made of white gold and aluminium, two metals whose contrasting density enables the circular weight to oscillate in a particularly regular manner. The movement also incorporates a flying tourbillon equipped with a ballbearing system contributing to the reduced thickness.
The movement itself is just 1.95mm and endowed with a 52-hour power reserve. Calibre BVL 288 Finissimo is housed in a sandblasted titanium case revealing the entirely openworked skeleton movement displaying all its internal organs. Octo Finissimo Automatic Tourbillon also indicates the hours, minutes and small seconds. An opening on the back of the watch, depicting the stylised motif adorning the entrance of the boutique on the Via Condotti in Rome, provides a chance to admire both the tourbillon and the oscillating weight in action.
The 42mm sandblasted titanium case and bracelet ensures total lightness and limited to just 50 pieces globally.