The Bulgari Octo Case Has Global and Cultural Appeal We’ve
seen Bulgari take liberties with design in the integration of the Gerald Genta
Octo with its own interpretation. But one thing they did remain true to
original form is the case. The case has retained its original eight-sided
octagonal shape the way that Genta had originally designed it and is the main
feature that sets the identity of the watch. With an elegance that befits any
setting or occasion and a significance that delves deeper than its angular
edges, the Bulgari Octo case transcends personal tastes as well as cultural
appeal. Taking a
Closer Look When the
Octo was released in the summer of 2012, Bulgari took an iconic case and
infused their own design elegance and classicism to create a new watch that was
more relatable to Bulgari’s core market base. The result was an incredibly
successful one gaining nods of approval even from non-Bulgari fans. It was
quite obvious that whatever they did, they did it right and it prompted Bulgari
to develop the line further, releasing a stainless steel band version and this
year, the Octo Chronograph. The
original Octo has a simple dial with only hour, minute, second hands and a
small date display window. The minimalism tends to emphasize the character of
the case even more. With 110 facets made up of separate angular surfaces, edges
and planes which have all been hand-finished, the watch has a dynamic look
while the circular bezel anchors and balances all the action in the case.
Viewing the case at any angle, you will see cuts, shadows and flat surfaces that
give you constantly changing view depending on your vantage point. The
angular shaped lugs are more streamlined and provide a seamless extension of
the case as well as keep a close fit of the strap or band. The black ceramic
crown has a functional octagonal grip that makes winding the watch an
effortless task. The backside of the watch consists of a sapphire crystal
caseback which displays the movement, the BVL 193 Caliber, fitted with twin
barrels, a 50 hour power reserve. This
entry level Octo sports a smaller thinner case at 41.5mm wide and 10.55mm thick
in size compared to Bulgari’s previous Octo models and is available in
stainless steel as well as rose gold but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in
other metals in the future. Assembly of both case and movement plus case
polishing are all carried out in-house. Geometry
of Perfection The
octagon shape embodies a great deal of meaning throughout various cultures and
disciplinaries. It’s symbolic of themes like rebirth, infinity and totality. In
baptisteries, the octagon was a shape that represented the idea of eternal life
since the number eight is symbolic of renewal. Many of the architectural
elements found in religious buildings such as churches and temples consisted of
octogonal structures supporting a dome above. The interplay between the circle
and square which makes up the octagon reflects a symmetrical balance between
the elegance in fluidity and the starkness and strength of angularity. In
engineering terms it is known as the geometry of perfection, where curved edges
meet straight edges. “In Eastern philosophy the circle historically represents
heaven and the square earth, with the octagon being the perfect balance between
the two and where the eight pillars of personality meet.” Significance
in the Chinese Culture It is no
surprise that the number eight has cultural significance and appeal in Asian societies. Eight is
symbolic of good fortune and prosperity and is often sought out in various
forms from license plates, house numbers and phone numbers. Bulgari
is a brand that has a great deal of prestige and popularity in Asia so there
were added advantages to expanding the Octo line over Genta’s other models like
the Arena or Gefica. By emphasizing the watch’s 8-sided attribute in its descriptions
and marketing scripts, Bulgari likely figured that it had a good chance of
gaining appeal from one of its strongest markets. It will be interesting to see
how Bulgari intends to further develop
the Octo case and line of watches in a creatively captivating manner.
Without a
doubt, the octagonal theme that started in the 1970s and is a central feature
in this new extension of the Octo line will ensure that the watch is a sure
success in the vast Chinese market. However Bulgari’s elegant and modern
approach in styling the case will give the watch universal appeal as well. Stay tuned for reviews of the dial and bracelet!