8 facts about the Bvlgari Octo Collection

Like many other high end fashion brands that dare to enter the world of watchmaking, Bulgari is initially underestimated by many for its watches.

Here’s eight pieces of proof that Bulgari is a heavy hitter in the horological world. Or more specifically, a look at its most popular collection, the Octo line.

1) It has several world records

Back in 2014, the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon took the world record for the thinnest tourbillon movement ever made. The tourbillon is already one of the most complex functions in all of watch making, but Bulgari managed to make such a function in a movement just 1.95 mm thick.

Two years later, they set the world record for the thinnest minute repeater, as the Octo Finissimo had a movement just 3.12 mm thick.

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Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton watch in sandblasted ceramic. 40mm extra-thin case. Mechanical skeletonized manufacture movement with manual winding, small seconds and power reserve indication (65 hours)

2) It was inspired by Gérald Genta

If you don’t know Gérald Genta, you definetly know his legacy. Genta was a watch designer responsible for some of the most popular watches in the world, including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Phillippe Nautilus.

Genta designed one of Bulgari’s most popular men’s pieces, the Bulgari Bulgari watch, which was then used as inspiration for the Octo line.

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Top: Bvlgari Octo L’Originale Chronograph watch. 41mm sandblasted steel and rose gold case. Bottom: Bvlgari Octo L’Originale Solotempo watch. 41mm sandblasted steel and rose gold case. Both with mechanical manufacture movement with automatic winding and date and rubber strap

3) The range was introduced in 2012

Bulgari may have been around since 1884, but it didn’t start making watches till over half a century later. In 1940 was when the first watch designs started to appear, but it wasn’t all the way till 2012 that the Octo line began.

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Bvlgari Octo Roma watch. 41mm steel and rose gold case. Mechanical manufacture movement with automatic winding and date. Steel bracelet

4) The Octo draws inspiration from Italian history

The watch’s iconic eight-sided bezel is in fact inspired by the ceilings and details of ancient Roman architecture. It is also a nod to Roman coin shapes and the Roman’s own focus on geometry in art and the consideration of light interactions.

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Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic watch in black sandblasted ceramic. 40mm extra-thin case. Mechanical manufacture movement with automatic winding and small seconds

5) It is the brand’s leading men’s collection

The Octo line sits alongside the Grandes Complications and Bvlgari Bvlgari collections, though it is by far the most popular and celebrated collection. It has the most variety and attention in releasing new models.

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Top: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic watch in sandblasted titanium 40mm extra-thin case. Bottom: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic watch in sandblasted titanium. 42mm extra-thin case. Both with mechanical manufacture chronograph and GMT movement with automatic winding and small seconds

6) There are a lot of Octos to choose from 

Ranging from exta-thins, to tourbillons, to skeletonised, to blue, black, gold, white, grey, there are over 40 Octos to choose from, all varying in price and style.

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Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater watch in carbon. 40mm case and skeletonized dial. Mechanical manufacture extra-thin movement, minute repeater, manual winding. Limited edition

7) It is the brand’s sportiest collection

With the use of the integrated bracelets, unusual design, and greater focus on matte finishing, they are the brand’s sportiest offering. They rarely use precious stones, making them more suited for everyday use. 

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Bvlgari Octo Roma watch. 41mm steel case. Mechanical manufacture movement with automatic winding and date. Black alligator strap

8) It’s a serious cult watch

Say Bulgari to many and the first thought will be handbags or jewellery, but if the world records and history has shown anything, it is that these are proper watches. That fact is not ignored by a select few that revere Octos as cult pieces. Celebrating Genta but in a less obtuse way than wearing a Patek or AP.

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Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic watch in rose gold sandblasted ceramic. 40mm extra-thin case. Mechanical manufacture movement with automatic winding and small seconds