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2019: OCTO FINISSIMO CHRONOGRAPH<br />
GMT AUTOMATIC<br />
It’s funny that the world went from having almost no inhouse<br />
automatic chronographs with a prevailing reliance<br />
on the Zenith El Primero, the Valjoux 7750, the Dubois-<br />
Dépraz module or the Frédéric Piguet 1185 to almost<br />
everyone having an in-house chronograph. Much of this<br />
was made possible by the advent of CAD/CAM (computer<br />
aided design and manufacturing) and CNC (computer<br />
numerical control) machining. However, in every instance,<br />
regardless of which manufacture, the resulting movements<br />
— regardless of their technical fireworks, comprising<br />
column wheels and vertical clutches — are extremely<br />
thick. In a world that has suddenly reverted to more classic<br />
proportions, many of these manufactures find themselves<br />
caught out because their movements necessitate watches<br />
that are too thick for consumers’ tastes. So it was with a huge<br />
smile, a palpable sense of relief and absolute exuberance<br />
that the watch world greeted Bvlgari’s 2019 Octo Finissimo<br />
Chrono GMT. Powered by the caliber BVL 318 which is a<br />
scant 3.30mm in depth, the resulting 6.90mm-thin grade 5<br />
titanium watch is a revelation on the wrist.<br />
It must be said that each time Bvlgari adds a<br />
complication to its arsenal, it does so with a seamless and<br />
perfect design integration of the new functions. This is<br />
certainly the case with the minute repeater that adds a<br />
single, barely noticeable yet totally functional push-piece<br />
to the side of the case. And that is certainly the case with the<br />
Octo Finissimo Chrono GMT. The chronograph pushers<br />
of the watch are so perfectly placed and integrated that, at<br />
first, you think that Bvlgari has just added a subtle pair of<br />
crown guards. Ditto the push-piece on the left of the case<br />
that operates the super functional GMT indicator, which<br />
can be read off the 24-hour scale in the subdial at three<br />
o’clock. The rest of the dial offers supreme ease of use,<br />
with a continuous seconds indicator at nine o’clock and a<br />
30-minute chrono totalizer at six o’clock. So what could<br />
possibly be a dream version of this chronograph? Well, I’m<br />
glad you asked. Because celebrating the 15th anniversary<br />
of Revolution, we’ve decided to make an exclusive 15-piece<br />
edition of the Octo Finissimo Chrono GMT.<br />
Right<br />
The Octo Finissimo<br />
Chronograph<br />
GMT Automatic<br />
in sandblasted<br />
titanium.<br />
The caliber 318<br />
is a horizontally<br />
coupled, column<br />
wheel controlled<br />
movement with<br />
peripheral winding<br />
and a second time<br />
zone function,<br />
atrulypractical<br />
and sophisticated<br />
movement for<br />
today’s consumers<br />
Assembling the<br />
BVL 318 caliber,<br />
one can see just<br />
how brilliantly<br />
the movement<br />
is designed.<br />
Opposite<br />
The Octo Finissimo<br />
Chronograph<br />
GMT Automatic<br />
in sandblasted<br />
titanium.<br />
Red cotton double<br />
breasted jacket<br />
with high waisted<br />
wide leg trousers,<br />
The Deck.<br />
Rose des Vents<br />
medallion necklace<br />
in 18k pink gold,<br />
diamond and red<br />
ceramic lacquer,<br />
Dior Joaillerie.<br />
40 COVER STORY
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