Already a success, the Bulgari Octo is a classic for all gentlemen and now the Italian maestro reveals a new addition to the horology family – The Bulgari Octo Ultranero (which translates to “very black”).
Black is an inherently virile and elegant force in fashion, which when applied to the facetted octagonal architecture of Ultranero, sublimates its already distinctive Italian temperament.
But even on supposedly all-black watches, Bulgari cannot resist playing with precious pink gold accents – a touch either through the hands and hour markers on the dial or on the bezel for a more conspicuous contrast.
In the Octo Ultranero series, the Finissimo Tourbillon takes technical centre stage with its ultra-thin BVL 268 manufacture movement. The flying tourbillon continues to be the world’s thinnest contender in its category of complication at a mere 1.95mm of thickness, and is currently housed in an equally svelte 40mm titanium case dressed in black DLC (the livery of choice for all Ultranero models).
In addition to the pink gold crown with ceramic insert, the black lacquered dial, cut hands, and slimmed indexes all serve to enhance the sensational whirligig.
The Octo Ultranero also offers simpler content in the form of Solotempo (see video above), Bulgari’s glib way of saying “time only”. The three-hand watches come in two variations (differentiated by an all-black or pink gold bezel), and are driven by the BVL 193 automatic calibre that’s dedicated to measuring and reading off time.
Then there’s the Velocissimo chronograph, the sporty counterpart typifying the power and personality of Italian design. It flaunts an abundance of pink gold on the surface thanks to the presence of three additional registers, but remains classy in doing so.
Beneath its 41mm DLC-coated steel case (same as the Solotempo) is the high-speed BVL 328 calibre based on Zenith’s famous El Primero, featuring an integrated column wheel chronograph that’s capable of displaying the flow of time to the nearest tenth of a second. The ensembles are completed with rubber (Solotempo and Velocissimo) and alligator leather (Finissimo Tourbillon) straps.
The ensembles are finally completed with rubber (Solotempo and Velocissimo) and alligator leather (Finissimo Tourbillon) straps.
(Photos and video: Bulgari; Source: Men’s Folio Malaysia September 2016 issue)
