SpotlightPresenting Bulgari’s New Octo Roma Novelties For 2023
Bulgari expand their Octo Roma collection with the introduction of two new chronographs, three 41mm automatics, with new colours in dials with guilloche work, and four fantastic tourbillons that display the Italian-Swiss watchmaker’s haute horlogerie expertise
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Bulgari’s Octo Roma collection made its debut in 2017 as a somewhat toned-down version of their multiple award-winning Octo Finissimo line. This week, in Geneva, the brand released new iterations of their Octo Roma series, once again, displaying their expertise in haute horlogerie and their rich legacy of jewellery-making crafts. Here’s a look at what’s new within this more accessible Octo collection from Bulgari.
New Hues And Motif On The Automatic’s Dial
Bulgari add three new dial hues to the Roma 41mm automatic models—blue, white and anthracite, with a new three-dimensional clous de Paris guilloche motif on the dial. The rich blue best reflects light off the three-dimensional minute pyramids engraved on the dial, with metallic hour markers and Arabic numerals at 12 and six in contrast, while the crisp white and alluring anthracite dial look commanding and sophisticated, in true Bulgari style. Powered by the in-house calibre BVL 191, the timepieces offer a power reserve of 42 hours. The highlight, however, remains the easily interchangeable, integrated stainless steel bracelet—a hallmark of the collection.
Introducing The Octo Roma Chronograph
The brand introduce two chronograph models into their Octo Roma collection, the only popular complication that has been missing from this line. These watches are powered by the automatic in-house calibre BVL 399, which is visible through the exhibition caseback of each model. The highlight of this new 42mm chronograph are, undoubtedly, the pushers integrated into the Octo Roma’s octagonal case, seamlessly following directly from the lugs.
New Octo Roma Tourbillons
Bulgari’s 2023 Striking Papillon Tourbillon—based on the 2021 Papillon Central Tourbillon—now comes housed in a 44mm titanium case treated with black DLC, while the crown is fitted with a black ceramic insert. The second model, the Octo Roma Striking Tourbillon Saphir is an updated version of their Octo Roma Tourbillon Sapphire, also housed in a new case.
Bulgari also released two new ‘Mineral Art’ tourbillons—Precious Naturalia and Tourbillon Lumière. The Precious Naturalia timepiece, set in a 44mm satin-brushed rose-gold case, features a thin slice of tiger’s eye visible from the dial. The long, thin hour markers also feature this gem with brown and gold accents, skilfully cut to a ‘few tenths of a millimetre’. Since tiger eye is a natural mineral and each stone has a unique pattern, each timepiece featuring the stone will be just as exclusive.
The Octo Roma Precious Tourbillon Lumière is set in the 38mm case paved with 287 diamonds, showcasing Bulgari’s expertise as a jeweller and watchmaker. The timepiece features a stunning skeletonised movement in a lacework of rose gold, rubies as hour markers on a nonconcentric circular track filled with diamonds and suspended on the dial. All the while, the tourbillon looks as if it were floating at six o’clock.
