Bulgari Octo Finissimo Review: Good Not Great

[@abdullaharmoozi4311]

It’s a high horology movement my friend , on par with AP royal oak

[@strapped2time]

This isn’t Genta-esque. It IS a Genta design. Beautiful watch. Wears like a dream. I own the blue with the sunburst dial. Under loop, looks exquisite.

[@theknightswatch]

Fair enough I thought he sold the company before this watch and had nothing to do with this design directly but the more you know! Glad yours is better finished.

[@strapped2time]

@@theknightswatch Design is his (look up Gerald Genta Octo and you’ll see the original), the thinness and movement were brought to the table by Bulgari after their purchase (though probably the same team that worked under Genta).

[@strapped2time]

@@theknightswatch I decided to reacquaint myself with the origins of the Octo line…. Funnily enough, the part you like least (the dial) is not part of the Genta design ethos. The case is his, but Bulgari went with a simpler dial than what Genta did in his earlier Octo’s (he liked to have more interesting dials). Me thinks design may be in your future 😉. Genta himself would have probably agreed with your evaluation of the dial.

[@theknightswatch]

@@strapped2time fair enough! Doing a quick search I do prefer the genta dial designs much more, but of course that’s all down to personal taste

[@gwier001]

The hands on my Octo F. Automatic are flawless. Same on my Octo F. S Chronograph GMT. Not a spot of dust, not a smudge or scratch on any of the hands (viewed with a loupe). Any idea what happened to hand on the example you've got? The Octo Finissimo line has completely rekindled my interest in watches. The Octo Finissimo line (not the Roma so much) is bold, masculine, unique, innovative, technically elevated and very, very elegant. In my opinion, the design of the Octo Finissimo line is simply unmatched right now, at any price point. You're wrong my friend, these are GREAT watches, not good watches!

[@KC-bv9kf]

Decent reviews with the facts pointed out. However, does need to read and have an understanding of the history of high horology and how this watch came about. The fact that BVLGARI kept every component in-house and the 7 world records and many design awards that this line has accumulated are oblivious to this reviewer are serious detractors of his credibility.

[@theknightswatch]

The history is impressive but impressive on paper and impressive in person are different things. Thin and comfortable aren’t always interchangeable terms. This watch is not for me and the qc is not up to par for any high horology watch. I don’t know everything and for some, this may be their perfect watch. For me, it wasn’t up to par.

[@michaelfierman3256]

I gotta say I’d love that in a bigger size as a desk clock. And I’m not being sarcastic. I adore the design but let’s face it, I’m not gonna get a wrist implant for those filthy hands. ( those were a shocker, eh?). Ok on to the Astor Banks

[@theknightswatch]

Ya it would be interesting to see a desk clock, I think it would need to retain some of the links to complete the look but haven’t seen a clock like that…yet. Always a watch that interested me but thankfully it doesn’t fit me and there’s far better value out there.

[@kw.7142]

I have the exact same Octo Finissimo and my dial side including the hands is pretty spotless. The movement finish is also quite impressive, with hand bevelled bridges all around. I think the sample you reviewed may be a one off?

[@georghelpenstein-michels6586]

I would take the Bulgari over all the other Gentaesque approaches of the watch geometry any day. Especially the AP and Patek variations, For me a pefect dress watch, just loud enough to be present, but no screaming no look how expensive I am, understatement with a ballanced but not invisible presence. Regarding the movement, AP, Patek and Rolex wish they had a high horology movement of this caliber in their everyday watches. Thanks for your content 🙂.

[@seaweed719]

This watch is stunning.

[@curious5557]

I love this watch...but, the finish of the hands etc. on this specific watch, questions the QC of Bulgari, especially at this price point. Nice review - thank you.

[@theknightswatch]

Completely agree, appreciate you watching

[@DarrenSugiyama]

As I shared with you in your shop, I LOVED this watch... but when you showed the hands under macro, it was such a let down. A good friend of mine just picked one of these up and I still love this design, but those grimy hands! How is that possible? Back on the Credor bandwagon now :)

[@theknightswatch]

Ya very much so disappointing to see, but nothing is perfect. At least the design itself stand on its own two feet!

[@KC-bv9kf]

Clueless wonder

[@matthewhelm3035]

Genta designed this watch. Bulgari bought his company before he passed This is HIGH horology that is on par with the holy trinity.

[@theknightswatch]

Just my opinion. Finishing isn’t great and watch isn’t comfortable.

[@bobj8877]

​@@theknightswatch calling it Genta-esque is an opinion, saying it is designed by Genta is a fact.

[@Rainism969]

Those specks of dust and imperfection on the dial are definitely a QC issue. Such a shame to the brand though.

[@201950201950]

OMG those hands look terrible. Was this watch poorly serviced?

[@theknightswatch]

Was never serviced, was bought new from a boutique so a little surprising.

[@kenflip]

The owner should take it back. This looks like a manufacturing error. The hands should have been properly cleaned before assembly.

[@daintiestquarters3411]

Maybe the competition here is the Piaget Altiplano. Everything is about how thin the movement is. From that point of view, it is an astonishing achievement. But in terms of looks, the Roma version is better. Like you, I think the price is a little high.

[@chia-mingyang5804]

Overall I agree with most of your points and that's why I have mixed feelings about it and struggled to get one for a long time.

[@theknightswatch]

Glad to know I’m not alone, it’s a great watch but just not the best out there for the price.

[@ajgross67]

I recently picked up a Cartier Santos Medium. If this came in a similar size I definitely would have cross shopped the two. It is crazy though that the same company can finish that movement so well and the hands/indexes so poorly

[@όαγωνιστής-θ6θ]

Santos was a great choice. Timeless watch.

[@theknightswatch]

Ya a “medium” version would be lovely. Hopefully this is just one of the bad ones that slipped through qc but who knows! Congrats on the watch.

[@bobj8877]

Nice video overall, but if I may give a bit of constructive criticism it wkukd be to do a little more research prior to a review. Several mentions of it being Genta-esque.....without knowledge/mention of the fact that Genta designed the watch and Bvlgari bought his company and the design for this watch from him. It is Genta.

[@theknightswatch]

It’s a fair point it’s just that this watch is not what genta designed. The case is the same but the entire layout is much different so to me it’s not the same watch. I could’ve leaned on its roots more heavily but to each their own. As far as I know the Gerald genta original design also never came on bracelet so it’s something they have taken and morphed with respect to but not directly from the original design

[@sergiogarcia9822]

The design is pretty nice but your wrist is way way to thin, probably in a bigger wrist it will look better.

[@the_9ent]

Unique and instantly recognisable. Impressive movement. Big wrists required! Shame to see the macro on the dial showed a number of imperfections considering the price point of this watch.

[@theknightswatch]

Ya I’ve seen it on bigger wristed people. And it looks fantastic, I feel the finishing may be a testament to them being more fashion oriented than watch oriented but maybe this was just one of the unlucky ones.

[@ronniep9272]

@@theknightswatch they are not a fashion brand, they don't make clothes. They are jewellers and are known for their immaculate finishing on their jewellery.

[@theknightswatch]

@@ronniep9272 stick to jewelry then

[@ronniep9272]

@@theknightswatch that's a real mature response. You're a watch channel and you still don't understand how far Bulgari have pushed watchmaking in these last 10 years with their ultra thin watches and complications winning several watch making awards and breaking world records. In the same time the only thing Rolex have done is put a ceramic bezel on the submariner and daytona and increase/decrease the size of some models. You think Bulgari is like a Gucci watch, a better comparison is Cartier but Bulgari have surpassed them.

[@theknightswatch]

@@ronniep9272 thank you for the education good sir. You are a saint

[@Nefville]

Great channel, I don't know how you get so many great watches but very nice work. Really like that you show the flaws, most reviews gloss right over them. I'm sure if you owned a watch you might try to be more forgiving to spare your feelings but that's not my personality. For the money I want perfection. This watch, if I paid $12000 for it and saw those hands I'd be returning it. Really like design but Bvlgari did a terrible job on this particular watch.

[@theknightswatch]

Appreciate it. Most of the watches I buy but thankfully some of them(like this guy) are kindly lent in by some friends. Agreed that the finishing just should’ve been much better

[@kaypee1972]

Starting the video of this watch with measuring with a caliper?! Pretty sure it will not do the watch any justice & no need for me to keep on watching this…

[@theknightswatch]

Cool

[@Peter-tc3ep]

You should have learned the history of the watch before the video, it is Gerald Genta designed in 1991. And I guess you’ve never worn a thin watch, markers are usually not even applied they are painted, pretty big accomplishment for how thin it is. Also one of the thinnest movements made.

[@theknightswatch]

This is an update to a design genta designed so to me it’s not truly his. It’s as if a building was built but only parts of the foundation was kept. To each their own. It’s not a watch I enjoyed or found particular nice but some others may.

[@Peter-tc3ep]

@@theknightswatch by that phrase even the Royal Oak has been updated over the years, no longer has large protruding bolts on the bezel. The case now has a bevel to it, bracelet links were redesigned, bezel is thinner and not double edged but smooth, to name a few.

[@theknightswatch]

@@Peter-tc3ep none of those are as large of a change as adding a bracelet and changing the watch from a retrograde mechanism to a three hand small seconds display, they’ve Gone and made and integrated metal bracelet piece out of something that wasn’t that before for the sake of hype and following the trend of what genta did in the past

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Bulgaria is a little too dressy for me but i think they are good watches .

[@theknightswatch]

Fair enough!

[@robinh2923]

Great comprehensive video thanks for making it!!

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you for watching!

[@clarenceteo6833]

It is indeed surprising that your octo finissimo only shows sign of poor finish on indices and watch hands. They are not carried over to the movement... Were they second hand or were they maintained? I'm thinking maybe if they were serviced once and the person did a poor job in servicing it... Just my thought

[@theknightswatch]

Was bought directly from a Bulgari boutique so the qc seen is most likely direct from the brand

[@clarenceteo6833]

@@theknightswatch ohhh icic hope you get to get them to repair it or smth this is some serious lapse

[@theknightswatch]

@@clarenceteo6833 thankfully the watch isn’t mine but ya something that would be covered under warranty for sure

[@MarcelitoRecords]

I see absolutely no reason to not prefer a Santos

[@theknightswatch]

Just personal preference, I would never wear a santos but if this watch actually fit me I would wear it.

[@kenflip]

I like the Santos but that polished square bezel is a disaster of form over function...it's a huge scratch and fingerprint magnet so I eventually got rid of mine

[@BatakAviation]

Lovely review mate!

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@matthewdavis8199]

Not a watch I ever expected to see on your wrist! I'm a sucker for beautiful movements, especially ones that fill the case back. So disappointing though to see the substandard dial furniture finishing. Laureato could compete pricewise, but the Bvlgari is very unique. Overall awesome to get your take on it!

[@theknightswatch]

The laureato completely slipped my mind. And that arguably would be a much better option as long as you like that design equally. Between the two the laureato is the only one that actually fits me haha. Appreciate you watching Matthew!