At this year’s Geneva Watch Days, Bulgari is literally pulling out all the stops, demonstrating its technical prowess in the field of chiming and repeater complications.
The Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon, a minute repeater with a Grande and Petite Sonnerie, is one of the most impressive introductions to the signature Octa Collection. Limited to five pieces, the titanium-cased grand-complication timepiece automatically strikes the hours and quarters. It also repeats the hours, quarters and minutes on demand. The hammers are on full display on the dial side.
A sophisticated grande sonnerie, it strikes the quarters with its four gongs and hammers. The conductor of this concert is the BVV800 manufacture manual winding caliber with a power reserve indicator for the movement and the chime mechanism.
The Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon, on the other hand, holds the record as the thinnest chiming watch, with a case thickness of just 6.85mm.
In addition to these rare and expensive masterpieces of high watchmaking, the Roman brand is presenting the more down-to-earth Bulgari Aluminum GMT X Fender Limited Edition, which, as its name suggests, is also rooted in the world of music. A collaboration with the guitar maker, the timepiece is inspired by and pays homage to the Stratocaster, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
The brown gradient dial with a sunburst finish is a nod to one of Fender’s signature lacquered looks. The same is true for the 24-hour scale on the flange that indicates the second time zone, with dark brown for the night hours and a beige hue for the day. The rhodium-plated and polished hour markers are reminiscent of guitar frets.
As befits a sports watch, the dial is luminescent. Not to be missed is the signature bezel with the double Bulgari logo, here in a brown colorway. The Bulgari Aluminum GMT X Feder Limited Edition is housed in an ultra-lightweight 40mm aluminum case, water-resistant to 100 meters, and is attached to a matching rubber strap. Limited to 1,200 pieces, it is powered by the B192 self-winding caliber with a 48-hour power reserve. Pricing is marked at $4,200.
At the end of August, 140 exclusive anniversary sets will be available, as well as 70 custom guitars handcrafted by the artisans of the Fender Custom Shop.
To learn more, visit Bulgari, here.
