Bulgari sets a new world record with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon at Watches and Wonders 2025

Bulgari sets a new world record with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon 103834 unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025. Price on request.

At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, Bulgari reaffirms its mastery of ultra-thin watchmaking with the unveiling of the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, ref. 103834. Setting a new world record as the thinnest tourbillon watch, this remarkable timepiece integrates a skeleton tourbillon within a movement and case measuring just 1.85 mm in total height.

Showcasing the expertise of Bulgari’s watchmaking division, it pushes the boundaries of mechanical innovation while remaining true to the brand’s distinctive design language.

With its mesmerising motion echoing the rhythm of a beating heart, the tourbillon stands as a symbol of Haute Horlogerie and has long held a special place in Bulgari’s history. The brand’s journey toward ultra-thinness began with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon in 2014, featuring a hand-wound movement just 1.95 mm thick, which was the world’s thinnest flying tourbillon at the time.

Since then, Bulgari’s horological achievements have earned ten world records and more than 60 international awards, including the prestigious Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix “Aiguille d’Or” in 2021. The Octo Finissimo remains the most awarded timepiece and collection of the 21st century to date.

 

The new Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon has been skeletonised to maximise light diffusion within the movement and highlight the decorations applied to key visible components: the bezel flange’s polished slope, the rhodium-plated tourbillon balance and inertia blocks, and the sunburst-finished, rhodium-plated tourbillon bridge. 

Each skeletonised component must strike the right balance between efficiency, aesthetics, resistance, reliability, and ornamentation.

The exposed nature of a skeleton movement demands absolute perfection in design, execution, and finishing. 

Measuring 40 mm in diameter and 1.85 mm in thickness, the new Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon is powered by the BVF 900 tourbillon calibre. 

This hand-wound mechanical movement beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offers a 42-hour power reserve.

The defining element of the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon is its tungsten carbide main plate, which houses the mechanical movement, while the bezel, case middle, and lugs are crafted from microbead-frosted titanium.

Subtly extending from the case sides, the two planar ‘crowns’ serve distinct functions: the left one (at 8 o’clock) winds the mechanism, while the right (at 3 o’clock) sets the time. Both are crafted from stainless steel and feature a circular-grained finish.

The ratchet wheel, adorned with engraved geometric decorations, is rendered in circular-grained steel. 

For optimal legibility, the hour dial features rhodium-plated hour and minute hands set against a sand-blasted brass surface with an DLC anthracite coating, unlike its predecessors, the Octo Finissimo Ultra and Ultra COSC, which featured separate hour and minute dials.

The Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon between the Octo Finissimo Ultra and the Ultra COSC

The microbead-frosted titanium bracelet is seamlessly integrated, measuring only 1.5 mm thick, including the folding clasp.

The price of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, ref. 103834, is available on request. bulgari.com

Suggested reading:

- The history of the Bulgari watches

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