Bulgari - Octo Roma Striking Papillon Tourbillon 103748

Bulgari launched the Octo Roma Striking Papillon Tourbillon 103748, combining a central tourbillon with a jumping hour display. Price € 130,000

With its large octagonal case, the Octo Roma is one of Bulgari's favourite plaftorm for accommodating complications and watchmaking feats that showcase the exceptional Haute Horlogerie expertise of the brand.

The new Octo Roma Striking Papillon Tourbillon certainly proves Bulgari’s excellence in fine watchmaking. 

The flying tourbillon positioned at the centre of the dial immediately catches the eye performing one complete rotation in 60 seconds. 

Rather than being supported by a bridge on the dial side and a bridge on the movement side, the flying tourbillon is cantilevered, i.e. is only secured to the plate on one side thus offering an unobstructed view of the mechanism on the other side.

The jumping hour can be read through a fixed window at noon, while the minutes are displayed on a semicircle graduated from 0 to 60 and alternately traversed by two independent, retractable, diamond-shaped hands which recall the flight of the butterfly (papillon in French), hence the name of the model.

When the first "butterfly" counts down the 60 minutes, it is deployed and easily readable with its luminescent white double tip. Meanwhile, its opposite counterpart is in its resting off-duty' position at 180° so that it no longer points to the timer. 

At the end of 60 minutes, the ballet is reversed: the hand that was in use until then moves to the horizontal position, while the other begins to move back to the vertical position. 

Combined with the vivid green tones of the dial, the black-DLC treatment of the titanium case gives the timepieces a contemporary and bold look. 

Water-resistant to 50 metres / 165 feet and measuring 44 mm x 11.9 mm, the case features a sapphire case middle to offer a full view of the mechanisms within. 

Compared to past models, the whole case is now characterised by softer curves for a more refined and lighter feel. The black DLC titanium crown is embellished by a black ceramic insert.  

The transparent case back reveals other elements of the of 3 Hz (21,600 vph) manufacture Calibre BVL 332, including the green display of the 60-hour power reserve.

Completed by a rubberized black alligator bracelet with green stitching and a black-DLC titanium folding buckle, the new Bulgari Octo Roma Striking Papillon Tourbillon ref. 103748 has a price of Euro 130,000. bulgari.com

Suggested reading:

- The history of Bulgari watches