The ultra-thin race in luxury mechanical timepieces may have started with the old guard but we can assure you, it’s going to end with Bulgari.
At Baselworld this year, the brand unveiled its new Octo Finissimo Automatique with a calibre that breaks the world record for the thinnest self-winding calibre at just 2.23mm thick and with a case to match, at just 5.15mm. The new timepiece joins joins Bulgari’s two other record holders – the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon (from 2014) and the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater (from last year).
All three record holders from Bulgari
What Bulgari has done different with its Octo Finissimo Automatique (and the Minute Repeater from last year) has been to introduce the timepieces in titanium, giving the collection a modern edge and one that will pique the interest of newcomers to the watch world.This year’s Automatique will go down in the annals of watchmaking not just for the record it holds but for how cool it is in design alone.
The titanium case also makes for a much lighter timepiece, that when combined with its thinness, keeps the watch feeling like part of the wrist. While most ultra-thin timepieces have an air of fragility to it, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatique puts those fears to rest. The titanium case (sandblasted for a gorgeous matte look) keeps the watch robust as well as highly resistant to scratches.
To power a timepiece like this while minimizing the thickness, Bulgari opted for a platinum micro-rotor. With approximately 60 hours of power reserve, the watch doesn’t see compromise anywhere for its thinness.