Both pure and contemporary, the Octo collection embodies the dual identity of Bvlgari watches: a blend of rigorous Swiss watchmaking and Italian elegance. This refined and understated masculine interpretation has forged its reputation among both watchmaking experts and fans of minimalist design matched by absolute technicality.
To celebrate this icon of slimness and style, the House unveiled two anniversary editions that go back to the roots of its conception: the first sketches made by Bvlgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani. Pencil sketches that a few years later would give life to the unmistakable Octo Finissimo line and today adorn the engraved dials of two flagship models – Octo Finissimo Automatic and Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic – crafted in titanium.
These feather-light monochrome anniversary models fully express the Bvlgari approach to masculine elegance and pay tribute to two emblematic timepieces in the Octo Finissimo saga. Presented in 2017, the Octo Finissimo Automatic, the thinnest ultra-thin watch on the market, set the third world record for the collection, with a total thickness of 5.15mm housing a movement equipped with a micro-rotor and measuring just 2.23mm.
Two years later, in 2019, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic made its own mark with a fifth feat of extreme miniaturisation for the thinnest mechanical chronograph with GMT function in watchmaking history, at just 3.3mm thick.
Embodying the aesthetic signature of the Finissimo collection, the case, dial and bracelet are crafted from ultralight titanium, ensuring a modern look and peerless elegance. The strong and bold lines of the case, inspired by Italian architectural masterpieces, express Bvlgari’s Roman roots, while the play of light in its facets catches the gaze.
The sandblasted finish of the titanium contrasts with the black PVD-treated hands, the hour-markers, the Bvlgari logo and the engraved small seconds counter, reproducing Stigliani’s early sketches. The overall effect combines perfect legibility with an original style.
Topped by a ceramic-set crown, the sleek 40mm-diameter case is teamed with a smoothly integrated bracelet composed of supple links, prolonging the sense of comfort and lightness on the wrist.
Issued in 200-piece limited editions, these elegant and technically accomplished anniversary models once again demonstrate Bvlgari’s watchmaking and creative genius, merging design and cutting-edge technology within an extremely slim case.
IWC’s Big Pilot collection
IWC Schaffhausen presents the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry”. Limited to 100 pieces, it features a case and a crown made of 18 carat 5N gold, a brown dial, and a brown calfskin strap. The mechanical stopwatch is controlled via a single push-button which is discreetly integrated into the distinctive conical crown.
A Big Pilot’s Watch with a monopusher chronograph is a surprising, yet logical concept. In fact, it is the only approach that permits the integration of a chronograph without modifying the iconic Big Pilot’s design with its striking conical crown. After IWC unveiled the first Big Pilot’s Watch with a monopusher chronograph in November 2021, a second model has now been added to the collection.
The Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry (Ref. IW515204) features a case and a crown made of 18 carat 5N gold, a brown dial and a brown calfskin strap with white stitching and a folding clasp. The tobacco brown dial is inspired by the flight suits worn back in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s time, the famous French pilot and author of The Little Prince.
In addition, the gold-plated hands are coated with luminescence to facilitate reading the time at night. The monopusher chronograph is controlled via a single push-button integrated into the crown, making it exceptionally user-friendly and practical. When the button is pushed once, a new timing starts.
Pressing the button a second time stops the timing. Stop times of up to one hour are displayed on the totalizer at 12 o’clock. The chronograph is reset to zero when the button is pushed a third time.
The IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre is visible through the sapphire glass case back. It is the only IWC chronograph movement that is wound manually: 70 revolutions of the crown are enough to build up the maximum power reserve of eight days. A power-reserve indication on the back of the movement displays the energy remaining in the mainspring.
The Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry is available through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care programme and can benefit from a six-year extension to the standard two-year International limited warranty.
Information courtesy of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH)