THINER THAN THIN
The Roman jeweler and watchmaker continues its exploration into the realm of extreme finesse with a titanium piece as thin as a sheet of tissue paper and certified as a chronometer, adding a new record to its already impressive list of achievements.
From the challenge Bvlgari set itself a decade ago, which now represents a procession of world records, the most spectacular is usually yet to come. With each new arrival, it seems impossible to do better, to make something thinner, more complex, lighter… and yet… the Roman brand, whose watchmaking workshops are based in Switzerland, successfully continues its exploration of the realm of extreme finesse. The Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC watch represents yet another feat: it’s as thin as a sheet of tissue paper, yet carries chronometer certification that guarantees performance and reliability.
To achieve this feat, everything has been skillfully studied to eliminate the superfluous and find new ways to retain the essentials to operate the ultra-thin 1.50mm hand-wound BVL180 caliber developed in collaboration with Concepto. Thus, the tungsten carbide plate serves as both backplate and dial, on which are set the main mechanical elements (escapement at 7 o’clock, barrel at 8 o’clock) and single-hand counters (hours at 2 o’clock, minutes at 4 o’clock, small seconds at 5.30 o’clock). The gray-dominated whole is treated with different finishes to sector the time information and make it easier to read, while maintaining the monochrome fluidity that is the charm of the Octo Finissimo collection. The movement, which provides a 50-hour power reserve and has passed all the tests imposed by the Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute or COSC), is framed by a sand-blasted titanium case 40mm in diameter and 1.70mm high, complemented by a bracelet with links machined from the same metal.
