The Bulgari x The Rake x Revolution “White Light” Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is seriously lit
Zach BlassOne of the key pillars of a well-made watch is legibility. Consumers are always critical of how a dial is laid out and how strong and visible the luminescent material becomes once it’s in a darker setting. The Bulgari x The Rake x Revolution “White Light” Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT brightens up 2020 with its fully lumed dial. This watch is seriously lit.
The case
The Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is the world’s slimmest self-winding watch with a chronograph and GMT function, with a 42mm extra-thin titanium case that is only 6.90mm thick.
The case maintains the baroque faceted profile, but differs from the production version through the inclusion of a tachymeter scale etched into the bezel of the watch – which only increases the level of utility and functionality on an already complex watch. The titanium push-down crown is set with a ceramic element, and the watch has a depth rating of 30 metres.
The dial
The dial shares the same layout as the production model, but is taken to new heights with its “White Light” makeover. Like an F.P. Journe Élégante, the dial is entirely made of a luminescent material that creates a positive display, in favour of a typical negative display, that is incredibly legible in less-lit settings.
An Arabic 12 signals the 12th hour, with the remaining markers rendered in a baton format. The hours and minutes are displayed by skeletonised sword hands, with pencil hands conveying the running seconds at 9, elapsed minutes at 6, and second time zone at 3.
Upon closer inspection, it appears the numeral font and markers are slightly thicker than the print on the production model, likely to increase the legibility at night against the albino backdrop of the Super-LumiNova coated dial.
The bracelet
The bracelet is made of a sleek sandblasted titanium, with a flush folding clasp that helps maintain the thinner profile on the wrist. The links are compact in length, leading to more links being incorporated – which ultimately provides a greater level of adjustment. Once sized by a professional, or brave owner, the wearer should be able to achieve a perfect fit quite easily.
The movement
The watch is powered by the ultra-thin BVL 318 caliber. An astounding 3.30mm thick, through technical sorcery the in-house manufacture movement somehow manages to pack a chronograph and GMT into a sleek package. This is in part due to the use of a peripheral rotor, which self winds the caliber with 55 hours power reserve. Visible via an exhibition caseback, the wearer can enjoy a high level of finish with well-executed perlage and Côtes de Genève.
The Bulgari x The Rake x Revolution “White Light” Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT pricing and availability:
The Bulgari x The Rake x Revolution “White Light” Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is available now, in a limited edition of 25 pieces priced at $17,300US. The watch can only be purchased via The Rake or Revolution shops.