Bulgari Releases Three New “Minute Repeaters” Watches
Fans of arcane language are spoilt for choice in the world of horology. Where else are the words bicompax (a watch with two central subdials), ébauche (a half-assembled movement) and Côtes de Genève (a type of decoration) bandied around as though we’re still living in 19th-century Europe? Close to the top of the list for the most flamboyantly recherché name is “minute repeater”: a watch that chimes the time on demand via the push of a button. Tiny hammers strike tiny gongs with different sounds for hours, quarters and minutes. The mechanical mastery, acoustic artistry and eye-watering expense mean they are some of the rarest and most prestigious picks in any brand’s catalogue. Like the name, they remind us of the historical significance and craftsmanship of high-end watchmaking — an altogether different vibe from an Apple Watch (which doesn’t have a minute-repeater function but can tap out the time using vibrations).
The luxury company Bulgari (founded in 1884; first men’s watch produced in 1975) knows all about aesthetic and engineering excellence, blending Roman architectural influences with modern luxury and winning several records for thinness in watchmaking (this year’s Octo Finissimo Ultra was just 1.7mm thick). Its latest releases come as a trio, all of which are updates to its family of minute repeaters, each more technically impressive than the next. The first is a revival of its Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater, which broke the record for the thinnest minute repeater ever made in 2016. The new version now comes in full carbon.
Next, there’s an updated version of its Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon, which uses three gongs and hammers rather than the more traditional two and is re-engineered in a satin-polished rose-gold case.
Last, but hardly least, is the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon, which uses four hammers and gongs and throws in a tourbillon at the unusual position of 10 o’clock.
At this point, you may reasonably conclude Bulgari is showing off. And why not? Theirs is haute horlogerie par excellence – with the goods to back up the highfalutin language. ○
Price on application; bulgari.com
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