Bulgari
Bvlgari Adds to the Octo Roma & Re-Introduces the Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse
Bulgari
Bvlgari Adds to the Octo Roma & Re-Introduces the Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse
The Octo Roma is as much a creation of the twenty-first century as its sibling, the Octo Finissimo. The timepiece is however a much more rounded expression of the Octo’s elegance when compared to the sharp lines of the Finissimo. We can even point this out on a practical note, in that the Finissimo’s sharper, angular outlook can be attributed directly to the 110-odd facets that form its case. The Roma on the other hand expresses a rounder and softer outlook with drastically fewer facets, 58 to be precise. Regardless, what can be said for certain is that the Roma very much retains the signature Octo silhouette.
Octo Roma WorldTimer
For the world time indication on the face of the watch, Bvlgari has taken a rather novel approach, with central hours, minutes and running seconds and the city ring paired with a 24-hour ring. Interestingly, in line with Bvlgari’s mantra for luxurious living, some of the traditional cities representing the different time zones on city ring have been replaced with luxury destinations frequented by globetrotters or are cities where a Bvlgari hotel is located or is marked to be the site of a future Bvlgari hotel. One such instance is the placement of St. Barts on the city ring, in place of Bermuda.
Tech Specs
Case and dial: Case in 904L stainless steel, 41 mm diameter with satin-brushed/polished finish, satin-brushed/polished bezel, 11.35 mm thick, transparent back, screw-lock steel crown set with a ceramic decoration and serving to set the time as well as the cities indication; water-resistant to 100m; blue sunburst dial and indicators, applied brushed rhodium-plated gold hour-markers OR case in 904L steel, 41 mm diameter, black sandblasted DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) finish, 11.35 mm thick, transparent caseback, screw-lock crown in DLC steel set with a ceramic decoration and serving to set the time as well as the cities indication, water-resistant to 100 m; matt black sandblasted dial and indicators, hour-markers enhanced with Super-LumiNova® (SLN), hours and minutes hands with SLN
Bracelet: Satin-brushed/polished steel bracelet with triple-blade folding clasp for all steel version and black textured rubber strap with DLC steel pin buckle for black DLC coated version
Octo Roma Tourbillon Central Papillon
For 2021, the complication has been reprised within the Octo Roma as a 41mm rose gold piece with a matt black dial serving as the stage for all of the Papillon drama. The movement enabling the timepiece is the Calibre BVL 332, which has a total power reserve of 60 hours.
Tech Specs
Case and dial: 41mm rose gold case, transparent sapphire back, rose gold crown with black ceramic insert; black matt dial with opening revealing the tourbillon cage and the Papillon system
Strap: Matt black alligator strap, rose gold folding clasp
Gerald Genta Arena Retro Mickey Mouse Disney
But the idea he had in mind was not a banal one, rather he wanted to incorporate the characters on his dials in a way that would involve time indication. Thus you have instances where Mickey Mouse is pointing out the minutes with his retrograde hand, or is wielding a retrograde golf club to indicate the minutes. The indication of hours on the retrograde pieces were always achieved with Genta’s jumping hour indication. And it wasn’t always Mickey on the dial, there were instances featuring Minnie, Donald, Goofy and etc.
This year, Bvlgari is adding to the fold, the Gerald Genta Arena Retro Mickey Mouse Disney. What is great about the timing of this announcement is that Bvlgari has chosen to do so just as the vintage versions of these watches are becoming a lot more sought after and are on an upward price trajectory. For those who are unsure of navigating the world of buying vintage, Bvlgari is therefore offering these individuals with a contemporary option that can be purchased with confidence.
For now, the 2021 Gerald Genta Arena Retro Mickey Mouse Disney is being offered in a 41mm steel case, featuring Mickey, of course, set on a rhodium-plated sunburst dial joyously kicking up his heels and pointing out the minutes with his retrograde hand. The hours are indicated using a jumping mechanism placed on the right side of the dial.
Last point to note is that the Gerald Genta Arena Retro Mickey Mouse Disney will be produced in a limited run of just 150 pieces.
Tech Specs
Case and dial: Polished steel case, 41 mm diameter, water-resistant to 100 m; LIMITED EDITION OF 150 engraving the caseback; fast time-corrector at 9 o’clock. Rhodium-plated sunburst dial with minute markers and Mickey Mouse. Lacquered minutes hand with Mickey Mouse arm
Strap: Red textured padded rubber strap; Gerald Genta folding clasp in polished stainless steel
Limited edition of 150 pieces