Some things need to be seen to be fully appreciated. But even though we’re not one of the very fortunate (and affluent) 20 wrists set to be graced by the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC – recently crowned the world’s thinnest mechanical and chronometer watch – the photos of this record breaking timepiece elicit jaw-dropping disbelief.
Looking at the watch from certain angles brings up memories of playing Paper Mario for the first time.
Swiping the title away from the already ridiculously ultra-thin and previous record holding 1.75mm Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari, Bulgari’s stunning amalgamation of titanium, carbide tungsten, topped with a sliver of sapphire crystal is a horological design feat that would even impress microchip fabrication specialists used to working with components measuring nanometers.
Just like designing a microchip, the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC required its designers to seek novel methods to push mechanical watchmaking to the limits. Noting watch components like dials, barrels, and bezels in normal circumstances lay claim to their own distinct layers within the watch architecture, in the case(back) of the 40mm Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, the sum of 170 components tasked to generate the watch’s 50 hours of power reserve have been rearranged into a single horizontal plane across the back of the watch.
If the watch itself isn’t impressive enough in its audacious feat of engineering, take note of the special box that comes with it. Dedicated to the purpose of winding and setting the time on the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, placing the watch into its case and programming the desired time sets into motion an adjustment cycle launched at the touch of a button. According to Bulgari, “in a matter of seconds, the watch is perfectly adjusted and wound with impeccable precision.” Seems about what one should expect for a $529,000 watch.
The 2022 version of the Octo Finissimo Ultra; the 2024 new Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC; platinum edition Octo Finissimo Ultra.
If you’re willing to add back another .1 millimeter and covet platinum, Bulgari is offering Octo Finissimo Ultra in that even more precious metal with blue hour and minute dials to distinguish it from its record breaking sibling. In either case, these mechanical marvels exist as the (current) apex of technical precision.
For more information on the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC watch, visit bulgari.com.