Bulgari adds two chiming masterpieces to its Octo Roma collection

The new Bulgari Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon 103962 and Carillon Tourbillon 103933 featuring unique chimes based on tritone harmonic intervals

With the new Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon and Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon, Bulgari aims to reinvent soundscapes in chiming watches.

In fact, the chime of these timepieces is based on a musical interval that challenges the canon: the tritone, a musical interval known for its dissonance. Also called the augmented fourth or diminished fifth, this interval spans six semitones and divides the octave in half. 

Applying this unprecedented dissonance in acoustic watches gives them a unique tonal quality and a tension-filled sound, once considered disruptive in religious music due to its asymmetry.

Both models are housed in the iconic Octo Roma case, the reference for Bulgari’s Grand Complication watches. 

In Grande Sonnerie mode, the 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) BVV 800 calibre of the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon automatically chimes the hours and quarters as they pass and repeats the hour every hour. It can also repeat the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand. As a Grande Sonnerie, it chimes the quarters with its four gongs and hammers.

The other model, the rose gold Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon, chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes, striking the quarters on three notes thanks to the modified BVL428 calibre carillon, also operating at a frequency of 3 Hz. You can listen its sound in this short Instagram clip.

The Bulgari Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon 103962 is crafted from titanium and measures 45 mm x 11.85 mm. Its satin-brushed and polished case is equipped with a titanium push button and a titanium crown set with black ceramic insert. 

The sandblasted openworked dial in brass is enhanced by a grey DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treatment with satin-polished rhodium-finish brass hands and indexes.

The transparent case back reveals the fascinating intricacies of the movement, which offers a power reserve of 72 hours. This model is limited to 5 pieces only.

The Bulgari Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon 103933 in rose gold has a diameter of 44 mm and a total thickness of 12.60 mm. The lines are highlighted by alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces. The rose gold crown is set with black ceramic insert. 

The sandblasted openworked dial is made in brass with a black DLC treatment with polished rose gold-plated hands and indexes. 

Along with the movement, the transparent case back reveals the 75-hour power reserve indicator. This model is limited to 30 pieces.

The individual number of each watch is impressed on the sapphire crystal disc adorning the crown.

Both models are water resistant to 3 ATM and completed by alligator leather straps with satin-polished titanium or rose gold folding buckles. bulgari.com

Suggested reading:

- The history of Bulgari watches