Bulgari Octo Velocissimo Chronograph Review

Bearing the signature of the famous watch designer who gave us many iconic watches, Bulgari introduces a high-frequency chronograph with an equally iconic mechanism.

Bulgari Octo Velocissimo Chronograph Review

Countless Bulgari Octo watches have been produced over the years; so why not? It's not every day that you get the opportunity to create a watch bearing the signature of legendary watch designer Gerald Genta. So what makes this model special? There are many things, but let's start with a brief history of the watch we are reviewing and the development of this series so that you can better understand why it caught my attention and has a warm place in my heart.

First of all, this watch is a chronograph with a stopwatch function; a complication not found on many other Bulgari Octo watches, except perhaps the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Chrono. But don't worry, I will explain. So why is this chronograph different from others? It's good you asked.

The mechanical movement that gives life to the Bulgari Octo Velocissimo Chronograph 41 mm is BVL 328, a 5Hz / 36,000 VpH high-frequency chronograph movement; and this movement is based on perhaps one of the most iconic chronographs other than the movement in the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. We are, of course, talking about the Zenith El Primero. It gets its catchy name from being the first automatic chronograph in history. What made this mechanism so special was its extraordinary precision. Moreover, let's not forget the fact that Rolex once used El Primero in its Daytona Chronograph models. So this mechanism has iconic status in every respect.

But let's leave all the internal advantages aside and look at the aesthetics of this watch; Because most people turn to Gerald Genta for the appeal of his designs, and when Bulgari bought his designs, they were in a treasure trove. Some of this designer's most notable watches include the AP Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC Ingenieur, Omega Constellation and Bulgari's BVLGARI.

Naturally, this model looks as impressive as his other iconic designs. From its brushed 18k rose gold case with polished beveled edges to the contrast used on the dial and strap to highlight the richness of the gold, this watch exudes a high-class look and feel with a modern twist. An octagon-shaped dial is housed in a round bezel on a 41 mm multifaceted octagon-shaped 18-carat rose gold case; This unusual case shape is ironically a common feature of many of Gerald Genta's iconic watch designs.

The crown is polished and has a grip surface with two rows of embossed dots; It also has a smooth polished black ceramic insert. The brushed chronograph pushers next to the case have a polished bevel. Since this is a column-wheel chronograph and not a cam-driven movement, these pushers have a very smooth start/stop action and are not "jumpy" like the alternative type of chronograph movement.

Polished 18k rose gold hour and minute hands with stick hour markers. A polished rose gold Arabic numeral is used at the 12 position. There is a finely engraved white printed seconds and split seconds scale. The same white print is also used on the chronograph subdials, which are printed directly on the smooth black dial at positions 6 and 3, and on the small running seconds subdisplay at position 9. The date window is located inconspicuously between the 4th and 5th positions.

On the back of the case, you'll see angled chamfers coming together in an octagonal shape, rising from the case back to the top of the scratch-resistant sapphire glass; This glass reveals the extraordinarily colorful and carefully crafted caliber. Combinations of blued screws, pink watch stones and yellow gold-toned wheels are carefully placed on stainless steel plates using a combination of traditional watchmaking craftsmanship techniques.

The Octo was originally a Gerald Genta watch and was rebranded after BVLGARI acquired legendary watchmakers Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth. The Octo collection featured several innovative and record-breaking pieces, such as the Octo Finissimo Extra Thin 40 mm, which has a case thickness of only 5.5 mm, making it the world's thinnest automatic watch. BVLGARI broke another record by creating the thinnest turbine in the same year.

Although the Bulgari Octo Velocissimo is not the thinnest watch, it is extremely stylish. A lot of thought has been put into its aesthetics, and on top of that it has an incredible mechanical structure "under the hood" that makes it work. BVL 328 automatic movement has a 31 jewel caliber and a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Based on Zenith's El Primero 400, it is a smooth-action, high-precision column wheel chronograph movement that will keep you measuring time flawlessly for years to come.

This watch is held on the wrist with a sturdy black alligator strap with a soft-to-the-touch calfskin inner lining and closed with an 18-karat rose gold deployant buckle with the BVLGARI branding engraved on the buckle and on the inside of the folding buckle. The strap is wider at the end where it connects to the lugs of the case and narrows towards the point where it meets the buckle.

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