The NEW Bulgari Octo is WOWED..and is damned good.

Oct 02, 2012,02:44 AM
 

I didn't see it till about 10 days ago..first, it is MUCH MORE slim.

The crown is VERY finely cut, and I am a bloody stickler for detail.

The crown is the ONLY rival challenge to Vianney Halter's incredible crowns of tubular and pin contruct.

See also:

bulgari.watchprosite.com

But here, I took the watch fresh from Bulgari to Beijing where to my surprise, it got AMAZING attention, when it was partnered with the HM 3 from Max Busser.

I guess it was also the GOLD and that it was a Bulgari and that it was 8 sided several times over.

The FIRST thing...it is damned tough and hard to get a scratch into it, altho it may seem that the round bezel over the octo's original was a scratch magnet, it was NOT.

I slept with the watch ON my wrist inside the cattle class cabin (6 hours) not to waste money...better spent on an upgrade on car performance!

I ha a temporary faux leather strap as the real thing had not yet arrived, but the "rubber" like material was VERY well put together.



The MOST impressive was the regulator arrangement and to my surprise, the rotor.

The regulator has a STAR like revolving click, which is VERY well finished...the entire collar and kiv shock absorber (I think it is a kiv) is VERY well assembled after finish, as one can see the degree of polish that went into the parts that form this original arrangement.

You can see the rotor has a fine, and subtle curve and that the joint between the steel and solid gold weight is pieced together after a fine finish, again a sign of very careful attention to details.

The plates have a varied and deeper cut to the Geneva stripe style, here it may have been hand finished...not sure, but it is VERY VERY good.

ALL screw heads were FLAT and totally polished to a high degree.

If you look at the regulator collar, you can SEE the new arrangement, which is no small feat, as it will probably have taken sometime to test the fit and assembly process.

I am looking at a Patek Nautilus alternative, and I really like it.

It is different without being too obtuse from a perspective of using thickness, and a reduction of ALL the three to four levels of the Octo case.

VERY daring in a move against the tide of enlarging watch cases worldwide...including LV, Cartier and Patek.

But in the end, the case work and the total case presents a design statement that will allow ALL watch designers to relook at a thinner case...and to use design to protect the metal from damage.

Here, I learnt from first hand experience that if you bash the watch against the door, table edge, handle of airplane seat, the blow will go straight to a side VERY close to a corner, and slide off and away...no scratch.

Of course, asmall "bash"...but in any other watch, you would have a deep gash.

Also...NO MORE scuffing from the shirt sleeve..the design protects that.

Next, the aesthetic flow of EACH angle to angle, and from each step to step on the case is damned well thought out..it reflects light from all angles but in a different color and tone..both the steel and the gold.

I highly recomend this watch.

It will prove to become an icon in design, and a step forward.

It was the same feeling I had for Lange 1, when I saw and felt the use of weight, brush and polish surface interaction on the Lange's caseband.

The same feeling I had for Richard Mille when I saw his first RM01 and RM02.

The same for Panerai's case way back when.

you get the idea.

I hope this proves to be a REALLY good thing...and it is honest, and affordable, and no BS.

Affordable, and risk level is low.

 

 


















More posts: Lange 1Max Busser and FriendsnautilusVianney Halter

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Very nice review Bernard!

 
 By: pingtsai : October 3rd, 2012-21:57
Thank you for this personal review of the the new Octo. It is indeed a watch that is much more impressive in person. I am very glad....and envious...that you are enjoying it. Thanks for the detailed review of the watch and the excellent photos.

Thanks...I have to get to learn more about lighting these watches, they are more beautiful

 
 By: bernard cheong : October 4th, 2012-17:56
In the metal, especially THIS watch.

Good to read your posts

 
 By: Cookies : October 3rd, 2012-22:28
Nice pics and well written. Pls post here more often because your articles are entertaining

Thanks...I think I am mellowing with time though.

 
 By: bernard cheong : October 4th, 2012-17:53
But not to worry, I found a way beack to youth...friends!

The Octo is certainly intriguing...

 
 By: jporos : October 4th, 2012-06:18
the change in geometry of the case gives it a great deal of visual interest from the photographs. It is good to hear from your experience, Bernard, that this is a tough watch as well. However, I do not see it as a Nautilus/Royal Oak alternative until Bulg... 

OH YES..making a bracelet for this would be the best thing ever.

 
 By: bernard cheong : October 4th, 2012-17:55
This case has never had a "deserving" design yet for a bracelet, and I agree.

Thanks for your sharing your experience with the new smaller sized Bulgari Octo

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 5th, 2012-10:14
Looks like an awesome dress watch and can't wait to see one in person myself and strap it on. Btw, have you had a chance to look at the Bulgari Endurer Chronosprint? If so, what are your thoughts on that? Cheers, Anthony

Hi Anthony..not yet,

 
 By: bernard cheong : October 12th, 2012-16:49
Soon after dec...I think in KL.

Thank you for your impressions!

 
 By: patrick_y : October 29th, 2012-10:56
Interesting notes about it being scratch resistant by design.

Touch wood..but the protrusions have 'worked" well so far.

 
 By: bernard cheong : October 31st, 2012-01:41
Being rough, having to reach into deep pockets of my emergency bag, has caused zero scratches so far.

Got the Blue Dial 38mm yesterday

 
 By: jker008 : April 14th, 2015-06:19
finally got the watch after reading through all the review n report about this fabulous watch as the design is really different from other watch design. Was actually thinking of getting the Rolex Datejust II but after thinking of few days decided to favou... 

Not really that good after all ...

 
 By: jam2 : February 15th, 2016-03:08
Help!!! Can anybody help me where to contact the correct person to lodge my complaint. Any contact info for Bulgari main customer relations? Our AD here doesn\'t seem to care for their clients here. I know Bulgari being one of the prestigious watch brands...