All is right again in the watch world, as Bulgari has once again taken the crown for creating the world’s thinnest mechanical watch after losing its title to Piaget a few years back. The just-released Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra is the new skinny champ, and it’s managed to do the unthinkable by creating a mechanical watch whose total thickness comes in under 2mm.
In just eight short years, the Italian-based luxury brand’s Octo Finissimo line has broken eight unique watchmaking records, including that of the world’s thinnest chronograph and the world’s thinnest perpetual calendar. Now, the Octo Finissimo Ultra achieves the title as the world’s thinnest mechanical watch at just 1.80mm thick — er, thin — breaking a record previously held by Piaget’s AUC, itself measuring in at a previously-presumed-unbeatable 2mm thin.
Monochromatic with sandblasted titanium, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra octagonal case is 40mm across, sporting a dual face dial, which features separate hour and minute functions so as to avoid having to stack the hands and add thickness. Naturally, the razor-thin movement is fully exposed, as it has nowhere to hide, with the case back pulling double-duty as the movement’s mainplate in tungsten carbide. In lieu of a conventional crown, the hands are set by two flattened stainless steel knurled knobs set into the case flank. It’s a legitimate movement, too, as the BVL180 caliber beats at 28,800 vph and boasts a 50-hour power reserve. The watch also comes with an integrated titanium bracelet that’s only 1.5mm thick.
Aside from conceiving and producing this record-setting watch, Bulgari has also created a beautiful work of art, with the peculiar design of the Ultra attracting eyes before onlookers may ever know of the watch’s status. The Octo Finissimo Ultra also has a QR code laser-etched onto its stainless steel barrel on the front, which, upon scanning, grants buyers access to an exclusive NFT artwork. The watch is limited to just ten pieces, all of which are almost certainly already sold. Your move, Piaget.
