All about the Bulgari Octo Finissimo’s fit and feel, how does the watch actually wear?

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Responding to the admittedly fair criticism of offering a sports watch with just 30-metre water-resistance , Bulgari created the S line, with a slightly thicker steel case and screw-down crown, upping the water resistance to 100 metres. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo S Silvered opts for an exercise in supreme subtlety, as the dials adopt the sublime brushing the Octo Finissimo case is well-known for. Andrew went up-close and personal with the Octo Finissimo S and the Chronograph GMT, his excitement quickly apparent in the video review below.
The dials of the Octo Finissimo S silvered are clearly the biggest development for the releases. Where the previous models used inky black and sunburst blue dials, the vertically-brushed dials of these new models are reminiscent of the tonal titanium pieces seen in the very first release of the Octo Finissimo in 2017. On the Chronograph GMT, Bulgari opted for applied indices and Arabics that echo the finish of the dial, while the crisp printing of the sub-dials and minute track offer legibility and contrast.
The time-only model opts for polished steel highlights throughout, matching the Bulgari script above the pinion, with an impressively clutter-free dial. While off-centre sub-seconds often arise as a topic of debate, I find it giving charm to the otherwise slightly sterile nature of the watch - surely due to the golden ratio or the rule of thirds or something - even Zach, who's tourb is normally tweaked by this, agrees with me!
When the Octo launched in 2014, its design and horological chops impressed many - its only potential pitfall the negligible water resistance. Bulgari sought to remedy this with the 2020 introduction of the Octo Finissimo S, rendered in steel, combining brushed and polished surfaces more in line with traditional luxury sports watches, and most importantly, offering 100 metres of water resistance. It came at a slight cost in terms of thickness, though if you're complaining about 6.6mm in height, you don't have enough problems in your life.
The Octo S measures in at 40mm in diameter and 48.4mm lug-to-lug, along with the aforementioned 6.6mm thickness. It's slimness, combined with the supreme articulation of the bracelet makes for a large, yet comfortable experience on-wrist. The Chrono GMT, on the other hand, brings more significant wrist presence. While Bulgari claims it measures in at 43mm, the chrono pushers which form a part of the architectural case increase that to 47mm. Combined with a 53.7mm lug-to-lug size, its a sizeable proposition for any wrist circumference.
Flipping over the Octo Finissimo S, we see the BVL 138 movement, beautifully decorated with Geneva striping and perlage. It fills out the caseback as one would expect from a watch of this calibre, though I can never not look at the teeny-tiny balance wheel nestling in near the crown. At only 2.23mm in thickness, it still offers an impressive 60 hours of power reserve.
The Chronograph GMT does away with a micro-rotor, instead going for a peripheral one to conserve height, with Geneva striping and circular brushing of the gear train. At 3.3mm, the BVL 318 is the thinnest chronograph in the world, while offering a GMT complication and 60 hours of power reserve.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo S Silvered pricing and availability:
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo S Silvered and Octo Finissimo S Chronograph GMT are available now. Price: $19,100 AUD and $26,100 AUD, respectively.
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[@med-3000]

I accidentally got to try on a titanium skeleton and they are stunning. Disappears on the wrist and the design is even better in real life. The fine angles and lines are sublime in such a thin watch.

[@DavidDatura]

I used to be a bit of an Octo Finissimo fanboy. Until I saw one in an ADs window. Despite knowing the basic specs…40mm diameter, 48mm lug to lug etc…it still looked huge! And with the blue sunburst dial of the variant I was looking at, rather gaudy too. I reckon it might have to do with the square shape. Square/rectangular watches always wear quite a bit larger than their round counterparts, and the Octo in particular, has a lot of extra metal around its dial. So, unfortunately I don’t fancy owning one anymore. But if I had to, I’d go with the slightly more subdued grainy black dialed variant.

[@Augustus_Imperator]

This watch is so elegant it's surprising, I never took a proper look at it, but watching it closely, even on video, it really struck me as elegant and as classy as it gets

[@morganstrapco]

I’ve missed you my friend!! Love you all out there at TimeandTide!!!!

[@m.e.p.r]

Usually I'm not a fan of thin watches, but this really is thin done right. Killer watch and a nice video

[@bobill2169]

I‘m a great fan of Bulgari watches , owning booth shown in the video plus a Octo Solotempo 41S and Ergon 41S I can say that these watches are one of the most underrated in the market. Built quality , finish , technology and of course the service are exceptional ! For me these are the most innovating watches today .

[@frank327]

Great video, very engaging and well presented

[@craigdlazarus]

Time only blue dial for me! Thx T&T keep 'em coming

[@jerry_bridge80]

The Octo is a fantastic watch! Over the last few years Bulgari proved itself as a true high end watch manufcaturer winning many innovative prices! Bought my Octo Skeleton full ceramic in April of this year and never looked back! Amazing art on your wrist and I often get compliments or questions about. I like my version of the Octo better than the steel versions, as mine is more stealth and less in your face, yet still the obvious Italian genta design style embedded in it! I tried the steel GMT version in the boutique but because of the white metal, it really looks bigger than a 40mm watch. Recommend for the average wrist to go with a black or dark grey color version of the Octo. Thanks for the great video!👍

[@ronniep9272]

Congratulations on your purchase. That ceramic skeleton is my dream watch but way out of my budget!

[@mt24Carson]

Amazing watches, thanks Andrew. 👍⌚

[@roycedot]

Fantastic video. I've been in love with the GMT but the size has been questionable.

[@dominickcolasanto6582]

Why choose, both amazing! Especially for me and a physical match large and in charge if only had to have one.

[@seaweed719]

Gorgeous watch

[@ronniep9272]

One measurememt which hasn't been mentioned is the diagonal distance, which is huge due to its square shape.

[@davidmulligan42]

Time only for me. There's a Bulgari AD not too far from me. I should (or maybe I shouldn't) go try this on one day.

[@mikec6323]

Is it just me or is the 9o'clock marker misaligned on the time only?

[@stephen9609]

You're absolutely right. And there are spots on the polished hands as well. Absolutely unacceptable for a watch at this price point

[@bobj8877]

@time+tide Love this watch, but is this a prototype? I'm shocked to see how crooked the 9 o'clock hour marker is on the time only model in this video. It should be perpendicular to the bezel and in a straight line parallel with the 3 o'clock hour marker....but from every camera angle shown it looks like it's significantly off. If you extended the 9 o'clock marker across the dial, it would hit the other side of the dial around 2:30 or 2:40. I'd hope a production watch at even 1/10th this price wouldn't be so far off.

[@themanuman]

The steel Chrono is actually bigger than the titanium and ceramic versions which is listed at 42mm. I've got large wrists and the titanium is perfect for me but the steel was just too big

[@Ppf9000]

A shame you didn’t also compare the various materials. The original titanium is even thinner and lighter and, in the case of the chrono, smaller in diameter. The steel variants are very shiny and an easier transition from a typical steel sports watch, however in titanium or carbon the weight, or lack thereof, is just as surprising as the thinness and broadness.

[@Timeandtidewatches]

An excellent point - more guilty of being too broad than too specific, so this one is an attempt at a sheer spec breakdown, but all good points well made on the Ti vs the steel. The Ti is infinitely more wearable in the chronograph, this is 100 percent true. I wore it for a month straight and didn't take it off, absolutely superb.

[@courtpaul9334]

Each & everytime I view Your Channel I suffer from I Really Want that"new watch"when it should be i just need one...You see when I was very young Boy attending school I used to be the ONLY child who couldn't be satisfied with just 1 quality watch...& for many yrs.I used to be purchasing⌚ as if I watch an addict ! & I was worried & I thought something was wrong with ME ?!!! Then when I became an adult I started traveling internationally & it was there I saw so many different brands from around the world 🌎 & it blew my mind 🤯 in a good way.Now that I'm 51yrs.old who is still in ❤ with over 30 watch brands,do you think I'm a watchalcoholic who's thirst may never be quenched ? 🤔😃

[@Timeandtidewatches]

The system works 🤙

[@davidc5191]

I've heard people say that the sharp angles on this watch's lugs cut into the wrist.

[@fmcdomer]

how much?

[@BEM_01]

They should make a smaller/36mm version of this watch.

[@ronniep9272]

It has to be this big for the flat movement to fit.

[@shaq6772]

Why is there durt and dust on the hands and dial? This isn't the first review I see with such problems on bvlgari watches ...

[@kongywkelvin]

Beautiful watch Andrew but I absolutely cannot pull this off; it looks like I'm trying to cosplay as an Amazon.

[@Timeandtidewatches]

A commenter above made the excellent point that the Ti version of the chronograph is totally different on account on material (weight) and also dimensions, so don't give up and don't go to the Amazon just yet!

[@kongywkelvin]

@@Timeandtidewatches you know what I was thinking of the other kind of Amazon, like Wonder Woman rocking an Octo Finissimo on each wrist and defecting bullets with aplomb!

[@kongywkelvin]

@@Timeandtidewatches that said, my interest in the Ti is piqued and I feel like I need to check it out in person to be fair

[@matthewmccord99]

Beautiful watch. Man oh man. I love it but think it'd look ridiculous on me. #NotReady

[@m2watchchannel]

Bvlgari becomes a new representative of the thin watch!!!

[@kjakan79]

Index at 9 is bad on the time only

[@MysteryKmt]

Like a square dinner plate on the wrist

[@relaxfoo]

make a 36mm and I am in

[@theetherealwatch2609]

I need to watch your older videos on this watch. I’m not sure - is it time to take Bulgari seriously as a watchmaker? It’s a really beautiful watch (especially the time only) - but it’s a Bulgari. At that price you’re in the range of some of the old standbys. Just can’t seem to stop thinking of Bulgari as a “fashion” watch - kind of like an Ebel from back in the ‘80s.

[@doriangrey9935]

I know your comment is meant as a compliment, but it's a bit weird nevertheless. Bulgari broke several world records with the Finissimo and the watch has been universally praised since its launch years ago. And you are asking now, if Bulgari is a serious watchmaker?

[@theetherealwatch2609]

@@doriangrey9935 yes, exactly. Bulgari was created in the late 19th century as a jeweler, and has existed for most of its history as such. I think it has made a strong showing for the last decade or two in the watch sector. I’m not sure this recent history as yet qualifies the brand in the top tier of horology - my guess is that most serious collectors would say not (I expect this statement will elicit the next inquiry - “who would you consider a ‘serious’ watch collector?”). Per my original post, I think it’s a beautiful watch - particularly the time only model. Whether you (or anyone else) considers my post a “compliment” isn’t really of tremendous concern to me - I have no incentive to promote Bulgari nor any other brand. This remains my view.

[@doriangrey9935]

@@theetherealwatch2609 The question is less about "serious collectors" but about what you consider "top tier of horology". Bulgari isn't automatically part of the holy trinity because of its world records and probably doesn't have the brand reputation of Rolex, Omega etc. in the public, but for anyone interested in watches the answer to "Is Bulgari a serious watch maker?" should be yes.

[@theetherealwatch2609]

@@doriangrey9935 great video and nice chat! 🙏🙏

[@ronniep9272]

They're not fashion watches since Bulgari don't make clothes or bags. They are not Gucci. As you stated correctly they are Jewellers. Maybe a good comparison is Cartier, who like Bulgari have made watch making history. I believe the Cartier Santos was the first wrist watch for men. In the last 10 years Bulgari have innovated more than the holy trinity combined.

[@CokeWithIceAndLemon]

Too large no one can pull this watch off, weirdly shaped but has potential, maybe a 38mm case?

[@skzion2]

These are waaaaay too expensive for what you get.

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

disagree. these are all GPHG award winners with fine hand finished movements and amazing case and bracelet design and quality. these are underpriced and i believe the prices will shoot up in the next few years as more people experience them.

[@skzion2]

@@timeisahumanconstruct9251 Disagree all you want.

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

@@skzion2 i laid out my reasoning. what's yours?

[@skzion2]

@@timeisahumanconstruct9251 Well, you started off claiming that "these are all GPHG winners," which is false but also irrelevant. My point was that these watches are overpriced. I compare them to JLC and Grand Seiko, and find the hand finishing of the Bulgari underwhelming. Regarding the designs, the major difference among watches is the thinness of the watch, which I also don't care about. I would be pleased to own one, but not at $15,000 plus. My favorite brand is probably Grand Seiko, which I feel does give great bang for the buck. I'm wearing my Omiwatari right now.

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

@@skzion2 Alright, good explanation.

[@palaublue]

So thin yet so clunky.

[@wongtran6408]

Sorry but it’s hideous