The New Bulgari OCTO Chronograph

The Bulgari OCTO Chronograph is set to be released after Baseworld this year. Bulgari has released some information regarding this timepiece. The OCTO line has done well since its release a couple years ago and with the pending release of the Chrono version, it is expected to continue on this successful line.

The OCTO series was adopted by Bulgari after the brand acquired Gerald Genta who was the designer of the original OCTO watch. Gerald Genta in his career has seemed to favor octagonal watch shapes as with the Royal Oak, which he designed for Audemars Piguet back in 1972.

The Bulgari OCTO Chronograph is fitted with a self-winding movement caliber BVL 328. This movement features a column wheel mechanism, which facilitates the smooth running of the chronograph complication. Chronographs without column wheel mechanisms usually jump forward a little causing a minor variation in the accuracy. The BVL 328 also features a high frequency balance wheel, which alternates at 36,000 VpH. With a frequency this high, it allows the watch to time smaller increments of seconds for a more precise chronograph.

The case comes in either stainless steel or 18kt rose gold with a 41.5mm case diameter. This watch raises just 13.07mm off of the wrist. The case is both brushed and polished with an octagonal middle case and a circular brushed bezel. The bezel holds a sapphire crystal for the protection against nicks and scratches. The collection comes with the choice of a stainless steel bracelet or black leather strap for the steel version and the 18kt rose gold edition. On the case back is another sapphire crystal, which reveals the high frequency movement. The main crown is screw locked and it carries a black ceramic insert.

The dial is black on all versions and carries rhodium toned indexes on the steel, and rose gold hour markers for the version in 18kt rose gold. At the 9 position is the small seconds counter, with the chrono subdials at the 6 and 3 positions. At 4:30 is a neat date aperture.