Bulgari
Renaissance of the Bvlgari Octo Roma
Bulgari
Renaissance of the Bvlgari Octo Roma
The Octo Roma series was launched nearly two decades ago, in 2004. Its name, “Octo,” refers to the watch’s distinctive octagonal case, while “Roma” refers to the brand’s Roman heritage. The Octo Roma watch features a clean, bold design that has made it one of Bvlgari’s most recognizable and soughtafter timepieces.
Over the years, Bvlgari has continued to evolve the Octo Roma watch, adding new complications and features to enhance its functionality and style. For example, the brand has introduced minute repeater and tourbillon models, diamond-studded bezels, and colored dials, among other updates. Despite these changes, the essence of the Octo Roma remains unchanged — it is a timeless piece that celebrates the beauty and precision of fine watchmaking while embracing the bold, contemporary spirit of Bvlgari’s heritage.
Bvlgari Octo Roma is considered one of the most recognizable timepieces with Italian flair in the world. This year, the maison is refreshing the series by introducing two new models to the Octo Roma collection: a three-hand variation as well as the first chronograph of the collection.
The Redesigned Bvlgari Octo Roma
Tech Specs
BVLGARI OCTO ROMA
Movement: Self-winding caliber BVL 191; 42-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 41mm; polished and satin-brushed steel; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Blue, anthracite or white, with clous de Paris hobnail motif; metallic Arabic numerals and hour markers with luminescent coating
Strap: Polished and satin-brushed steel bracelet with interchangeability system
Price: EUR 7,900
Bvlgari Octo Roma Chronograph
The 42mm case is water resistant to 100 meters, making it suitable for a variety of activities, from casual wear to water sports. The chronograph function is powered by the Swiss-made BVL 399 mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Bvlgari has modified the base BVL 191 caliber and has added a chronograph module for the additional compliacation.
The case has satin-brushed and polished finishes for a look that is minimalistic with a subtle dynamic nuance. The chronograph pushers seamlessly integrate into the case and draw the attention to protective crown guards and the screw-down crown. The Octo Roma Chronograph case is a great design achievement in itself.
At its heart this is a sports watch, but the elegant finish and the polished and satin-brushed steel bracelet give it a luxury feel that will fit in at almost any occasion.
Bvlgari’s designs often follow the Estetica della Meccanica philosophy which is a tribute to the art of watchmaking and the beauty of mechanical movements. Bvlgari has a commitment to create only the finest timepieces, and the designs celebrate the craftsmanship that goes into each and every one of their watches. The maison’s high complication watches feature intricate mechanical movements that are meticulously finished and decorated, making each one a true work of art. These complicated movements are housed in the elegant and ultra thin cases of the Octo Roma series, crafted from precious metals such as platinum, rose gold and yellow gold.
Tech Specs
Bvlgari Octo Roma Chronograph
Movement: Self-winding caliber BVL 399; 48-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date
Case: 42mm; polished and satin-brushed steel; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Black or blue, with clous de Paris hobnail motif; metallic Arabic numerals and hour markers with luminescent coating
Strap: Polished and satin-brushed steel bracelet with interchangeability system
Price: EUR 9,900
Bvlgari Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar
The design was inspired by the work of the legendary watch designer Gérald Genta and was made in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first Grande Sonnerie developed by Genta in 1994. Genta was known for his iconic designs, which blended classic and contemporary styles to create timepieces that were both timeless and modern. More than 90 Grande Sonnerie watches have been created since 1994, and the new watch is an excellent update for the line.
Crafted from the finest materials, the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar is a masterpiece of engineering and design. Its 44mm case is made of carbon CTP and features a carbon middle part for an incredible sonic experience. The watch is powered by an in-house mechanical movement, the BVL 980, which is the result of years of research and development by the finest watchmakers at Bvlgari.
A highly complex mechanism chimes the hours and quarters, a feature that is usually reserved for only the most exclusive timepieces. The perpetual calendar function is no less impressive, automatically adjusting for the different lengths of the months and the leap year cycle and ensuring that the watch always displays the correct date. Bvlgari is a master of chiming watches and has crafted beautiful timepieces with two, three and four hammers (Grande Sonnerie).
The skeletonized black dial of the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar is complemented by rose gold indexes, hands, crown and push buttons for a complex design that is both elegant and functional. The perpetual calendar is indicated by subdials at three, six and nine o’clock, and it is fitted with a moonphase display at 12 o’clock. The watch also includes a power reserve indicator and a chime power reserve indicator.
Tech Specs
Bvlgari Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar Ref. 103195
Movement: Self-winding caliber BVL 980; 48-hour power reserve (28 hours for chiming)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon, perpetual calendar with moonphase, grande and petite sonnerie and minute repeater
Case: 44mm; carbon CTP; water resistant to 10m
Dial: Smoked sapphire with display of watch movement; rose gold indexes
Strap: Black alligator leather; black DLC-treated titanium folding clasp
Price: CHF 820,000
Availability: Limited edition of eight pieces
Bvlgari Octo Roma Emerald Grande Sonnerie
The dial of the Octo Roma Emerald Grande Sonnerie is a work of art, with its baguette-cut diamonds that are arranged in a mesmerizing pattern, adding a touch of glamor to the watch. The diamonds are perfectly placed to reflect light and add an extra touch of sparkle to the watch. The semicircular power reserve indicators — one for the chime (24 hours in grande sonnerie mode) and one for the watch — are positioned in such a way as to enhance the overall aesthetic of the watch. The Grande Sonnerie function, which chimes the hours, quarters and minutes is a true work of art.
The sapphire crystal on the caseback provides an unobstructed view of the intricate BVL 703 caliber that is composed of 732 individual components meticulously assembled over nine months by a dedicated master watchmaker. The watch features a melodious Westminster chime that can be silenced or activated on demand by the side pushers.
Tech Specs
Bvlgari Octo Roma Emerald Grande Sonnerie Ref. 103553
Movement: Self-winding caliber BVL 703; 24-hour power reserve in grande sonnerie mode; 28-hour power reserve in petite sonnerie mode
Functions: Hours, minutes, four- hammer Westminster chime, minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie
Case: 44mm; 18K white gold, set with 72 baguette-cut emeralds and 411 baguette-cut diamonds; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Fully paved with emerald-cut diamonds; green Arabic numerals and hour markers
Strap: Green alligator leather; white gold folding clasp set with baguette-cut diamonds
Price: EUR 1.6 million
Availability: Pièce unique
Bvlgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon
Bvlgari explains that for the complex case construction, “generous proportions of the case are designed to maximize sound propagation, enabling increased torque from the three-hammer construction and greater sound power production.” Specifically, the mid-case is designed to maximize sound and allow for the most volume and resonance. The case internals are also hollowed out according to design, to reduce the amount of metal between inside and outside. Then there are three openings that correspond to the three chimes, which allows for the sound to travel unencumbered outside of the case’s internal chamber.
Bvlgari goes on to say that the gongs of the BVL 428 are forged by hand before being annealed at a temperature of 900 degrees Celsius. The metal surface is then cleaned before another round of heating in an oven at 500 degrees Celsius, which at last gives it the physical qualities necessary for crystalline resonance. Adjustments to each gong is then made by a master watchmaker, carefully coaxing out the necessary notes for a Westminster chime. As stated by Bvlgari: “The melodic sequence of this chime with three hammers striking three tones plays the note C for the hours, the notes E D C for the quarters and the note E for the minutes.”
The blue skeletonized dial is a fascinating openworked design that showcases the intricate mechanical movement within. The blue color of the dial is eye-catching and adds an extra touch of sophistication to the watch. It is treated with an ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) process, which provides a highly resistant and long-lasting finish.
The Bvlgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon is a truly remarkable timepiece with its amalgamation of technical excellence, timeless elegance and craftsmanship. It is limited to 30 pieces.
Tech Specs
Bvlgari Octo Roma Blue Carillon Tourbillon Ref. 103627
Movement: Manual winding caliber BVL 428; 75-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, three-hammer carillon tourbillon and minute repeater
Case: 44mm; platinum with openworked titanium middle-case
Dial: Semi-openworked with blue grilles; blue Arabic numerals and hour markers
Strap: Blue alligator leather; platinum triple folding clasp
Price: USD 317,000
Availability: Limited edition of 30 pieces
An Evolving Collection
From the entry-level time and date model, to the Chronograph and the Grande Sonnerie, Bvlgari’s Octo Roma series offers a great value proposition to collectors. The series with its signature circle- within-an-octagon case shape has grown with the times, with updates to its design and style. It is also increasing in complexity — maturing, if you will, with references that include ultra high- end complications. Together, the latest models represent Bvlgari’s efforts to broaden the collection and are surely a sign of more exciting things to come for the ever-evolving Octo Roma watch.