Bulgari weaves golden threads into their new Octo Finissimo CarbonGold collection
Borna Bošnjak- The new CarbonGold variants go back to 1993, the first time Bulgari combined high-tech with traditional luxury
- Extremely light due to their full carbon construction, the models are highlighted in 18k rose gold
- Ultra-thin is the name of the game, with both the automatic and perpetual calendar movements measuring in under 3mm
For Geneva Watch Days 2023, it’s looking like black and gold is a bit of a running theme. For a watch with such contemporary appeal, it was just a matter of time until Bulgari released another composite-cased Octo Finissimo. We’ve seen it in steel, titanium, and precious metals, but the brand new Octo Finissimo CarbonGold looks back to 1993, the year Bulgari first launched the CarbonGold colourway. It’s not just your bog-standard carbon weave either, as Bulgari opted for a swirly finish, similar to the chopped stuff that the likes of Lamborghini and Aston Martin use for their trim and carbon fibre aero components.
The dial, case, and bracelet are all rendered in carbon fibre, with just the right amount of gold highlighting the otherwise monochromatic look. On both the Automatic and Perpetual Calendar variants of the CarbonGold, the signature typeface, indices, hands, and crown are rose gold, with further solid gold used for the caseback screws and small plate screwed into the side of the case.
As we’ve come to expect from Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo, the 40mm cases are incredibly slim, measuring in at 6.9mm and 7.6mm in height for the Automatic and Perpetual Calendar, respectively. Impressively, the Octo Finissimo CarbonGold Automatic still manages 100 metres of water resistance and the Perpetual Calendar acheives a 100-metre depth rating for the first time as well.
The reason for the Octo’s amazing slenderness are Bulgari’s in-house movements. For the Automatic, Bulgari opted for the BVL 138, a 2.23mm thin movement equipped with a platinum micro-rotor and golden Geneva striping. It beats at 21,600vph and has a 60-hour power reserve. The Perpetual Calendar’s BVL 305 somehow increases only to 2.75mm in height, sporting very similar decoration but with many added features. Not only can it keep track of leap years, but the displays for the date and leap year are also retrograde.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo CarbonGold collection pricing and availability
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo CarbonGold collection is available now. Price: A$41,900 (Automatic), A$145,000 (Perpetual Calendar)
| Brand | Bulgari |
| Model | Octo Finissimo CarbonGold Automatic Octo Finissimo CarbonGold Perpetual Calendar |
| Reference Number | 103779 103778 |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 6.9mm (T) (Automatic) 40mm (D) x 7.6mm (T) (Perpetual Calendar) |
| Case Material | Carbon, rose gold and ceramic |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres (Automatic) 100 metres (Perpetual Calendar) |
| Crystal(s) | Flat sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Carbon |
| Strap | Carbon bracelet with folding clasp |
| Movement | BVL 138, in-house, 2.23mm thickness (Automatic) BVL 305, in-house, 2.75 thickness (Perpetual Calendar) |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar, retrograde date and leap year |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$41,900 (Automatic) A$145,000 (Perpetual Calendar) |