Bulgari: The Octo Finissimo collection proves to be one of the best and most complete on the market

Man, as even Aristotle said, is a social animal by nature. This does’t only mean that he craves relationships but, above all, that he looks for people similar to him in order to share common attitudes and interests, to leverage aspects that – since the dawn of time as well as in the era of social networks – inevitably make us feel better, such as, for example, a gratifying sense of approval.

TREASURING WHAT WE FASTEN AROUND OUR WRISTS 

Niches always pursue the same language, and even more specifically in our passion for watchmaking. This explains why the great vintage watch dealers, at the most prestigious specialized kermesses, all wear the same super-classic strictly featuring a particular dial. This is their way of speaking – to colleagues, usual and potential customers – without the need to talk but rather by showing a tacit sign that they belong to a very rare and exclusive club. The same was true last summer, in a certain ultra-chic context in Forte dei Marmi, where a high percentage of only a handful of models (the usual ones) from three brands (the usual ones), that’s it, were seen on the visitors’ wrists. Once again this is a form of visual communication establishing a sense of belonging, a bond between initiates. The same, historically, happens in the various watchmaking salons, where experts wear watches – which they often don’t even own, but that were lent for the occasion by different friendly brands – for the same reason: a dialogue between connoisseurs or, more prosaically, “guerrilla marketing for ourselves.”

BULGARI OCTO FINISSIMO, WORTHY OF EXHIBITION

It goes without saying that, on all these occasions, the watches on display are very trendy and qualify the bearer as a healthy wearer of a watch worthy of exhibition. That is to say, without adding more examples bordering on social anthropology, that last October 2nd, on the first day – dedicated to insiders – of the historic “Mercante in Fiera” in Parma, in the usual pavilion dedicated to watchmaking, a swarming number of Bulgari Octo Finissimo could be seen on the wrists of visitors and important dealers.

A SUCCESSFUL WATCH, WITH PEOPLE AND ON THE MARKET

What does this mean? That this is a watch which, as an effective advertisement from a century ago stated, “is successful with successful people.” In short, it’s not the usual watch with the perfect qualities to win in one of the categories of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – the Oscars of the sector – that will then remain, inevitably and sadly, gathering dust in some flagship boutique’s windows, or in those of official dealers who are eager to dispose of their stocks by offering “Black Friday” prices. Octo Finissimo is successful as it is appreciated and sells well. An aspect that nowadays, in the high-end mechanical watchmaking collections of the big luxury conglomerates, is not trivial at all, believe me.

FROM MULTI-COMPLICATED TO “TIME ONLY” – WITHOUT EVER GETTING A MODEL WRONG

In this sense, paradoxically, the incredible number of six records set by Bulgari’s ultra-thin watches in the past six years with the Octo Finissimo collection – including the last two ultimate pieces: first the phantasmagorical Minute Repeater (the thinnest minute repeater in the world with a height of 3.12mm) and then the stratospheric Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic (with a movement only 3.50mm thick) – isn’t so important! Or rather, it is important to understand how seriously the company based in Rome has taken its role in the world of high-quality mechanical watchmaking. On the other hand, it is also important to underline the market’s appreciation for the “only time” Finissimo.

OUR FINEST FINISSIMO PODIUM

Even when considering the fierce competition between the usual models (those seen at Forte dei Marmi), the Octo Finissimo collection’s time alone not only competes greatly but can also count on the originality of its design and superfine mechanics. Mentioning only three models is enough: the Automatique Ref. 103077 in sandblasted black ceramic with manufacture mechanics and platinum microrotor (16,300 euros) is by far one of the most successful ceramic models ever. Same for Ref. 103286, pink gold case, matt black dial and black alligator strap version: difficult to think of an alternative from the competition offering similar features and with the same appeal (moreover, at a very attractive price: €22,400). And then there is the one and only Ref. 102713 entirely made of titanium (case, dial and bracelet), one of the models with the bracelet integrated in the case – and therefore a legacy worthy of Gérald Genta, the Octo collection’s inventor, who Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani (responsible for the design of Bulgari watches) is honouring admirably with his excellent work – among the most beautiful on the market and, considering the technical-aesthetic aspects, offered at a truly competitive price (€14,800).

In conclusion: Bravo! Keep it on, Bulgari!

By Michele Mengoli