A Week On The Wrist: The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon

A Week On The Wrist gives us a chance to find out what it's like to actually live with a watch, albeit for a limited time. Sometimes it's a watch that's the equivalent of a daily driver, and working with it gives us a chance to see how it holds up under real world conditions in terms of legibility, general aesthetic appeal, accuracy, and the like.
Sometimes, however, we get a watch in to test drive which puts us in the position of a car journalist being thrown the keys for a Bugatti Chiron for the weekend, like this one: the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon, a $160,000 superwatch that not only turns quite a few conventions about luxury watchmaking upside down, but also flies in the face of conventional wisdom about what high end watchmaking from Bulgari is all about as well. This is the first time we've done A Week On The Wrist with any minute repeater - we've covered a rattrapante, and a perpetual calendar, but never a repeater, and this is one of the most unusual minute repeaters anyone's making right now.
For the full review, go to:

[@MrCdrant]

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it can't be denied it's incredibly unique. Would everyone prefer yet another 38mm minute repeater in plat/ss/yg?

[@TedNemeth]

Absolutely stunning. Tragically modern. I love vintage also so I see this as a blend of vintage AND Blade Runner. I would instantly buy this watch at $50k. But over $100k is too rich for me.

[@junzzzzzz4996]

this is a piece of art.

[@audemarspiguet4237]

What I love about Bulgari is that with each new model within the Octo Finissimo range, the company insists on developing a brand new movement from ground up. They don’t take the easy by just putting additional complications on top of their existing automatic base movement but actually develop a completely new movement designed solely for that particular complication. Serious watchmaking prowess!

[@vorticwatchcompany]

Not a classic looking watch but something about it does it for me! Best, IC

[@jolness1]

Decimal repeater even! Very cool.

[@liamszwed5290]

Maybe it's because I've never felt it in person but "Carbon Resin mixture" just sounds like plastic

[@andrei2023]

Amazing watch 🏆😍

[@golgothatheend]

I usually like something very unpopular so I can understand the hate this watch is getting But I love the way it looks. The material has woody elements to it, layer by layer. Unlike metal, which usually has a fine grain structure, it will look somewhat rough. But this is the way the material is, and I love the way they show it's layer depending on the angle of the case. Also, it's a perfect stealth watch. The joy of owning an expensive, technically impressive, and rather natural looking watch just for you. Exclusively for you to enjoy and love.

[@pmanbu]

The Octo Finissimo is a beautiful sport watch design for this day and age and works very well on regular metal alloys. It´s fresh and thin and definitely eye catching. I think the carbon-epoxy material is interesting but should´ve been used for a sportier version (maybe not the minute repeater and definitely not at that pricepoint), to compete against the AP carbon Offshore Divers or the Bumblebee (carbon cased watches are still very niche and appeal to a young sporty segment). The parts of the calibre visible through the cutout numerals aren´t sexy at all. Maybe a calibre fashioned from cutting edge darker toned materials like a Richard Mille or simply coming up with a different cutout design would´ve been a better execution of the idea.

[@pmanbu]

The finish on the carbon-composite material could be just right for a more sports oriented timepiece.

[@norcalnorway]

The up-close shot really leaves a lot to be desired in terms of the finish on the carbon fiber. They can come up with cool new acronyms all they want;however, that appears to be vacuum formed epoxy/carbon sandwich that has been cured in an autoclave and left in an unfinished or raw state. What is new about that? Pagani, koenigsegg, etc. are looking like a value when you see the quality of finish extrapolated over an entire car instead of a watch.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Not same. This is carbon autoclaved but also CNC machined and has carbon moving interlocking parts.

[@felixdukeofuke]

funny, how many commenters find so strong words about the material and the resulting look. Hard to find you guys under Richard Mille Videos...

[@phototristan]

The bezel looks like a 12 year old 3D printed it.

[@jkntrds9635]

black marker on cardboard

[@felixarbable]

Saw this at basel felt very cheap. Bad kinda rough finish, the titainium one also had a wierd industrial-sandblasting but felt far better overall

[@_ayo_vic_]

The watch honestly looks like it's made of 3D printed carbon fiber. Since epoxy resin was used, I doubt they could get a a "shiny" finish without using some type of high gloss polymer (which fades over time).The real money is in the Bulgari name, distinct design, and movement. I assume that 160k price tag is specifically targeted towards Bulgari collectors.

[@GuideauxPelagos]

Absolutely magnificent.

[@atl3630]

Guido Pelagos agreed. I dig it and these other comments are making me like it more...

[@Otrain82]

Interesting video and enjoyed Jack's insights

[@WatchAddictionReviews]

looks great, excellent production

[@8174915]

Loved the insider comment or joke with the Cartier Box... LOL

[@Lipii19]

Dear Hodinkee, thank you for posting these great videos. I watch your videos every time you post a new one. I have a humble request: could you please make a video (or reply) of watch magazines (if there is any)? I would love to educate myself more by reading. In addition to your channel, I feel that a proper watch magazine would be a great supplementary source for horological information. Many thanks and keep up the good work! Greetings from Finland.

[@EgdeFilms]

Yes... "clean" really comes to mind with this watch.

[@EgdeFilms]

Also that dial is horrible.

[@menaseven9093]

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon is a nice piece of horological technology. It is also a nice collector item limited to 50 pieces.

[@wb659]

The bezel seems off to me, maybe if it was a gloss carbon as is it looks a bit soft. I love the numeral cutouts and the bracelet though!

[@Vlad-wi1rj]

Holy shit they put a minute repeater in a watch like this.

[@zunedog31]

No chance they'll sell one of these. This is to show off what they can do. That's it.

[@nimayork1]

I'd buy it if i won the lottery 100%. It's a very special piece.

[@dumyjobby]

The style I kind of get it, but the price in absolutely ridiculous, to me also the minute repeater complication which is one of the most expensive complication I think it's useless. Remove the minute repeater complication and sell it for something below 10k and I would consider it an interesting purchase.

[@phototristan]

There needs to be a Talking Watches every week and a Hodinkee Live every week.

[@m0tiii]

This is a nice watch

[@zaynnshaikh9981]

Cool watch. Wish it was on my wrist 🤪

[@tynannida9642]

Make something that looks shoddy and charge and arm and a leg for it, rich people eat that kinda stuff up. Bravo

[@yankeesuperstar]

I thought I’d just discovered my grail watch until I heard 162😱

[@dilipreddy97]

It's a GREAT watch if you have money to throw around. Great craftsmanship. Otherwise, however, it's 100% a no-go. Especially if you consider the fact that this type of watch is not versatile whatsoever. P.S. The water resistance of only 10mt is a joke. A $25 Casio provides a higher water resistance of upto 50 mt, but I digress. :D

[@PopBubbleWrappable]

Love the Octo, but not this particular version. Give me plain old steel.

[@paceyombex]

I kind of understand why people call it a G-Shock from its design. But with carbon fiber, now it doesn't just look like a G-Shock, *It Is* a G-Shock.

[@timderl4311]

Its cool and can be respected

[@Tom-vy3cb]

Can you guys do somthing on the Junghans watches?

[@ignoreboco]

Beautifully done video. Watch, not so much..

[@keithshin384]

So nice and interesting except the price

[@ViperXYZ98]

I like it, but dear lord that price lol, I was expecting like 8-9K but boy was I off lmao

[@coldblooded47]

ViperXYZ98 in what world are you in where a minute repeater can be 8k lol they don’t go under the 6 figure range

[@DazzyLee]

The watch is ugly, but the way Jack describes the watch so poetically, makes the beer-goggles go on and enhances the beauty of the watch. Would I still want this watch? Beer-goggles fade and reality trickles in, so no.

[@kaypee1972]

Lucky you!

[@JAK1ROT]

Why do you hide your subscriber numbers?

[@seancatacombs]

Guys you all seem to think this is a review series or something. These videos are strictly for validation to the people who've already bought the watch.

[@pasquale78]

It looks, well.... unfinished. I get the carbon, but polish the thing or something.

[@NoahBB]

Great video. Personally I think that watch is ugly as sin.

[@DarensVideos]

Is it really worth bragging about being "world's thinnest minute repeater" when it's manual wind? Styling is not for me, but appreciate Bulgari producing something new & unique.

[@0neyl1]

I like it and I don’t like it at the same time

[@Masterpsflood]

I love the light grey Bvlgari that looks like this one. This model looks dirty and broken

[@timothyjambalos4956]

niceee hodinkee

[@-JohnGalt-]

Wow, that case is hideous...$160K worth

[@lexidium8278]

Usual obsequious review from Hodinkee. Never said what he personally thought about it. Not one downside - even glossing over the ridiculous price. One could almost feel guilty about thinking that maybe Bulgari had paid them to review it.

[@Rotten3ullet]

Pssst!! I will take a G shock over this any day.

[@Ex.zed.]

I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into that watch, but it's still fugly though.

[@hacker007300]

Looks like a badly 3D printed shit watch

[@ScottyBennitone]

Some of the Blvgari Octo's are cool , but not this one IMO. *edit - after viewing again , confirmed . They should call this the Stevie Wonder limited edition model , because I think he would be the only one to buy it . The plain Stainless steel model on bracelet 38mm in house movement Solotempo is the best version.

[@utuberwatchin]

Here is your Richard Mille competition. Thinner but the name is not necessarily as exclusive.

[@Agentxphile]

I dunno, the only thing that impresses me about these watches is how thin they are. Other than that, nada, not a thing.

[@thesceptic1018]

so many beautiful repeaters, from genuine watchmakers, for less

[@deanjohnstonefilms9225]

Yeah

[@BobbyDazzler888]

1/2 price in 4 years

[@turboZ3]

Only $16?!!

[@hannesfriesenegger8819]

5m water resistance! Nice!

[@illyapetrov6092]

Tooooo much money, do you get sand paper with it to polish the bezel!?....

[@djjamessilk]

I've always wondered why Bulgari cannot spell Bulgari?

[@Epitopi]

I hate it when supposed watch snobs shit on a watch that is technologically fascinating. A watch doesn't have to check off every single factor, like 100 meter water resistance, to command $162,000.

[@sbsb7845]

CHEAPER Alternative-Victorinox Inox Carbon.. I own a couple of those..

[@philipmcritchie7309]

A house or that. Let me think..

[@SpaghettiKillah]

162k $ for a watch that's ugly af, CAN'T READ TIME on it because everything is black, NO WATER RESISTANCE (10mt is a joke), the bezel is finished so rough it looks like one of those pressed paper toys your kids make at school😂 not to mention the octo "design" where the dial doesn't extend all the way to the edges?? Makes it look like an unfinished product🤦🏻‍♂️ Also nothing "luxurious" or worth 162k on that finish at 0:44 You have to wonder what the hell are they thinkin' back at the Bulgari HQ?

[@JuanGarcia-gu4oe]

SpaghettiKillah you said my thoughts 👌👏

[@JohnConnor12]

I don't hate the way it looks, but I agree that it does look unfinished.

[@adamnsandler1607]

the texture looks great, the movement is really good looking, I ove really thin watches specially when talking about non quartz watches

[@andrei2023]

SpaghettiKillah Is minute repeatear bro no Diver 🤦‍♂️

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Andrei Andrei I know it's a minute repeater. But at the same time the watch is made out of carbon which is THE go to material for sports watches (super tough, light). It's like their brain had a seizure and came out with this monstrosity😂

[@user-gc9gf2jb4v]

That’s an ugly watch!

[@ripperx444]

Looks like a piece of charcoal! Who the hell buys this

[@JJ-pe1wy]

Ist just too big. 38mm would be the perfect size

[@nyc2malibu]

Hodinkee , I understand your place in the watch world and do enjoy your well produced reviews, however this was a waste of time.

[@soubido]

I respect the tech and engineering of this watch but I wouldn't pay 160k for it

[@Jonbombs]

Mechanical g shock with an alarm on. You'd literally need more money than sense

[@woodrowclose]

Well at least no-ones going to nick it.

[@echospage]

160,00 K hahaha wtf

[@Atombender]

Ballgary

[@mr.personal-ity]

Alex K. BullGahri.

[@nfltrrrqwsa7512]

It's Bullshit Gary

[@owenstellar547]

Watch looks like it costs less than $100, looks awful .

[@BAAAASJE]

wtf is that?

[@RPatel-rk3zg]

#ad

[@Arianm09]

What is the point in making a week on the wrist video for a 160K dollar watch limited to 50 pieces?? Not to mention the fact that this video is far more of an ad than a review, having heard no mention of the obvious drawbacks of this watch (e.g. the horrible finishing and useless water resistance). Week on the wrists are supposed, to be honest reviews of "real-world" watches, things that can be bought by civilians, not commercialized windows for watch companies to show off their latest concept.

[@graybeard7408]

$160,000 is more than I paid for my house. These poeple are totally out of touch of reality..

[@jomni]

Tell that to all those who make Minute Repeaters. The price is that high due to the complication. www.chrono24.sg/watches/minute-repeater-watches--100.htm

[@nfltrrrqwsa7512]

no you didn't, you live with your mum

[@ABCTEST213]

title spell it wrong, not Bulgari

[@TheOneInYellow]

Ignoring that BULGARI themselves spell their name with a U rather than a V, and it is in their own website URL, it is long known that Bulgari stylise their logo name with a V in trademarks (thus BVLGARI) but never spell with it. I strongly suggest @kenngykful to do some basic research and reading before commenting. However, I will post info for you: Taken from The Fashion Model Directory: "Bulgari is an Italian jeweler [sic] and luxury goods retailer. The trademark is usually written "BVLGARI" in ancient Roman style, and is derived from the surname of the company's Greek founder, Sotirios Voulgaris (1857-1932). The name Voulgaris itself contains the root word Βούλγαρ Greek for "Bulgarian". Furthermore in the company's native Italy the word Bulgari means "Bulgarians" or people of Bulgarian descent, which further emphasizes this linguistic root. Although the company made a name for itself with jewelry [sic], today it is a recognized luxury brand that markets several product lines including watches, handbags, fragrances, accessories, and hotels." www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/brands/bulgari/ Official link: www.bulgari.com/en-gb/

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Wow that watch looks ugly for 160K!!

[@d.jacobush.7389]

I would pay $1600, which is a fair price, there is nothing that justifies the $160000 price of this watch. It probably costs no more than a few thousand $ maximum to produce.

[@d.jacobush.7389]

Phil Dix I have done my research, most of the price is marketing and everybody with even a little bit of intelligence knows that.

[@Armoer]

John Doe next time I will ask you to design and handmake the thinnest minute repeater movement in the world. I would love one for 1600 bucks.

[@fingerboardworldwide]

Why you all so angry I agree that it should be 1600

[@ejumpent2610]

rupa buruk mcm ni pun nak jual mahal2 hawau tul....

[@benjameshodges]

It's a great shape and clever ultra thin movement, but the most unattractive material I've ever seen on a watch. It looks like the Springfield Tire Fire.

[@Lanciarules]

The normal version is a lot better

[@amcluesent]

Fools and their money...

[@zissou6928]

Bizarre use of carbon. Dont see elegance with carbon

[@JohnSmith-xq6cv]

More videos way too slow

[@ahmedsallam1179]

Leave watch making to watch makers bvlgary

[@PreeyenMistry]

Very well presented however I'm not a fan of the design at all.

[@Brice23]

Nope

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Love it.

[@raziel5280]

160 000 usd?, nope gold?, nope platinum? 🤦‍♂️

[@Readyteddygo]

Looks like a burnt out mess

[@r.m.2737]

Hate it.

[@HostileButHonourable]

Or you could buy an A.Lange & Sohne AND a Patek and still have change for a few Rolex and IWCs etc. Christ almighty $162k????.. Aimed fairly and squarely at idiot premiership footballers. Think a rebrand is in order...'Vulgari' perhaps?

[@hacker007300]

I fucking hate this watch looks so cheap and shitty