Bulgari Etches New Milestone In Time With The Thinnest Mechanical Watch Ever
By Alexa Heah, 22 Mar 2022
In the brand’s 8th world record, Bulgari has unveiled the Octo Finissimo Ultra, the thinnest mechanical watch in the world.
The stunning timepiece measures just 1.8mm (0.07 inches) thick, comparable to that of an American dime.
Previously, the record had been set by the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept in 2018 with a thickness of 2.0mm (0.08 inches).
According to Forbes, the watch was launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Octo collection. It is now awaiting eight patent applications to be passed.
Interestingly, the Octo Finissimo Ultra comes with a QR code engraved on the barrel’s ratchet wheel, and will be sold together with an exclusive non-fungible token (NFT) artwork.
Only 10 of the wristwatch will be manufactured, and will be the final installment of the Octo Finissimo World Record series, making it all the more covetable for collectors.
Naturally, such a valued piece will set you back a hefty chunk, with the watch going for a staggering €400,000 (US$440,000) each.
Robb Report described the watch as a blend of “industrial chic” with “dressy sophistication,” noting that the hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed in three sub-dials alongside visible gears and cogs showcasing the intricacy of the design.
Due to how thin it is, the timepiece does not include a conventional crown for adjusting the time. Rather, it comes with a custom-made box that recharges its 60-hour power reserve and regulates timekeeping.
“The challenge of this eighth record was the most difficult to overcome, since we had to break the rules not only in terms of movement design, but also of the case, the casebook, the bracelet, and the folding clasp,” explained Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bulgari’s Product Creation Executive Director.
“In this sense, the Octo Finissimo Ultra is unquestionably the ultimate complication in this vast field of possibilities represented by ultra-miniaturization.”
[via Forbes and Robb Report, images via Bulgari]