The present watch is the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Tadao Ando, reference 103534-001, a rare and deeply considered collaboration between one of watchmaking’s most technically ambitious manufactures and Tadao Ando\u2014the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect celebrated for his philosophy of “honest materials” and the transformative power of light, shadow, and geometric precision. Limited to just 160 pieces, this edition is a convergence of two creative philosophies that share more than they differ: a relentless pursuit of purity, proportion, and material integrity.<\/p>\n
The 40 mm case is crafted entirely from matte black sandblasted ceramic, extending seamlessly to the bezel, crown, and integrated bracelet. At just 5.15 mm in height, the Octo Finissimo remains one of the thinnest automatic watches in the world, and in this all-ceramic execution, the monolithic, architectural presence is unmistakable. The matte sandblasted finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating a quiet, meditative quality that is entirely consistent with Ando’s design ethos. Sapphire crystals with double-sided anti-reflective coating front and back ensure clarity and protection, while water resistance is rated to 30 meters.<\/p>\n
The dial is the soul of this collaboration. Designed personally by Tadao Ando, it features a dark blue lacquer surface engraved with a spiralling geometric pattern\u2014a motif that evokes the architect’s signature use of concentric forms and the interplay of light across textured surfaces. The spiral radiates from the center with meditative precision, creating depth and movement within an otherwise still composition. Skeletonized hour and minute hands hover above the surface with minimal visual intrusion, while an off-centered small seconds display maintains the Octo Finissimo’s asymmetric character. A delicate crescent-shaped moon in yellow gold, positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, provides a poetic counterpoint to the dark dial\u2014a single warm accent against the cool, architectural backdrop.<\/p>\n
Powering the watch is the Calibre BVL138, Bvlgari’s record-setting ultra-thin automatic movement measuring just 2.23 mm in height and 36.60 mm in diameter. Equipped with a platinum micro-rotor and operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, the movement delivers a 60-hour power reserve with exceptional reliability. Its 36 jewels and meticulous finishing are visible through the sapphire caseback, offering a view of the movement that is as architecturally considered as the dial above it.<\/p>\n
The Tadao Ando Octo Finissimo is a timepiece that transcends the boundaries of watchmaking and design. It is a wearable manifesto\u2014where ceramic architecture, Japanese minimalism, and Swiss ultra-thin engineering are unified in a single, extraordinary object.<\/p>\n
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Bulgari – Bio<\/strong><\/p>\n Bulgari was founded in Rome, Italy in 1884 by a Greek silversmith named Sotirios Voulgaris. Bulgari is the phonetic version of his surname. The store at Via Condotti, 10 which was opened in 1905, is still today the point of reference of all the Bulgari stores in the world.<\/p>\n The brand is well-known for high-jewelry, and has also been producing watches since the 1920s. But their watches gained momentum in the 1940s when the Serpenti collection was introduced. The first serially produced men\u2019s watch was the BVLGARI BVLGARI introduced in 1977, designed by the legendary Gerald Genta. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nFollowing the success of the BVLGARI BVLGARI, in 1980 the brand created a watch business unit and in 1982 the Bulgari Time S.A. company in Neuch\u00e2tel, Switzerland. Several collections later, to further strengthen their watch portfolio, the brand acquired Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta brands. The brand has not only been capitalizing on the designs, but also setting new benchmarks in watchmaking by introducing the record-breaking ultra-thin movements and cases within their Octo Finissimo collection.<\/p>\n\n