Hot Take: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater In Sandblasted Rose Gold

One of the most popular models of recent years – the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater – gets treated to a new case in sandblasted rose gold. The result? A bonafide showstopper both technically and aesthetically.

The Octo Finissimo range from Bvlgari is refusing to rest on its laurels. It seems crazy to doubt that there is yet more to come from this impressively persistent manufacture, following a run of award-winning releases. There are many brands able to cause a stylistic stir. There are fewer, but still plenty of brands pushing the envelope on a technical front. Rarer still are brands combining the two with as much seamless grace as Bvlgari. Although still better-known to the wider world for its jewelry, Bvlgari’s investment in the watchmaking arm of the business has reaped rewards. It is no longer a fashion-first brand. It is fast becoming a mechanical master while remaining true to its aesthetic roots. The tide has surely turned for good. And as a result, we, the relative few that live and breathe this stuff, are braced for the flood. You’d better grab your big coat because the torrent of wonder pouring from Bvlgari HQ shows little sign of stopping.

For such a stand-out piece, a full review is warranted. Rest assured, it is on its way. In the meantime, however, we wanted to share with you the news of this fantastic addition, with a few “Hot Takes” from our seasoned team. This week, Balazs and Jorg take center stage and share their gut reactions to the new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in sandblasted rose gold. Enjoy!

Balazs Ferenczi

“Octo Finissimo – The icon of the 21st century.” While this quote from Bvlgari might sound a bit cheesy, it is actually very close to what I think about their Octo Finissimo line. Year after year they release a new model which is remarkable in its own way although it carries the typical Octo Finissimo DNA. It is not a watch for everyone, I get it. I’m a vintage guy at heart and while a 36mm round steel-cased Valjoux 72 quickens my heart, I can’t help but notice the effect Bvlgari has on me. Every time I see a new Octo Finissimo my jaw drops.

Just think about last year’s GPHG Chronograph Watch Prize winner, Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic. What an amazing watch that is. The design is not without precedent yet still very different from all the other contemporary timepieces out there. It’s modern but simple. One can even call it sporty and classy at the same time. Now, when I look at the new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater this statement immediately makes sense.

Behind this simple dial lays a breathtaking minute- repeater in-house caliber…

I love Bvlgari’s bold approach when it comes to materials (like black ceramic). The sandblasted gold case looks amazing. No sunburst finish, no shiny bevels, just a trendy matt surface. The matching leather strap gives a touch of elegance to the watch (if gold wasn’t elegant enough in the first place), although the Octo Finissimo’s size and shape are rather sporty in my opinion. The fact that behind this simple dial lays a breathtaking minute- repeater in-house caliber, is the icing on the cake.

Jorg Weppelink

In my opinion, Bvlgari struck pure gold with its Octo Finissimo line of watches. The design of the Octo Finissimo combined with the record-breaking technical achievements makes it the only new watch that has been introduced recently that has added something truly unique to the world of watches. Therefore, I think that the Octo Finissimo has the potential to become a future classic.

The rose gold Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater is in line with previous models so the sandblasted rose gold case and rose gold dial match one another. This creates the typically understated Octo Finissimo look. And housed within this unassuming skin? The technically brilliant Minute Repeater movement. Although I love the record-breaking thin movement, the incredible use of the sandblasted rose gold, and the overall looks of the Octo Finissmo, there are also some aspects about the watch that confirm some points of criticism I have.

The construction of the bracelet is phenomenal and really completes the overall package.

I love seeing the Octo Finissimo with a bracelet. The construction of the bracelet is phenomenal and really completes the overall package. I have always been less impressed by the versions with a leather strap. That’s especially true when it comes to this more classic looking Octo Finissimo with a brown alligator strap. It is probably my least favorite out of all of them.

Secondly, the simultaneously-introduced steel version with the black dial was the star of the show during the LMVH Dubai Watch Week. It shows that there is a fairly easy next step for the Octo Finissimo to take. We want to see more technical masterpieces from Bulgari, but the steel version showed me that I’m ready for a new step as far as color combinations go. Making these models more versatile will help to establish the Octo Finissimo as an all-time classic. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Conclusion

The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in sandblasted rose gold (reference 103279), and is powered by the ultra-thin caliber BVL362. The BVL362 has manual winding, a 42-hour power reserve, supported by a 21,600vph operating frequency. The dial layout has been conceived to increase the overall slimness by using a sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock. In total, the cased-up thickness of this model is a remarkable 6.9mm (thanks to the 3.12mm-thick movement). The water resistance is an understandable 30-meters, though nothing about this watch would suggest it has a penchant for swimming.

The movement finishing is, as always, exemplary, and the luxuriousness of the case and dial material continues the interior theme on the outside of the watch. To learn more about Bvlgari and its products, head here.