Bulgari: What do we think?
Bulgari: What do we think?
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Discussion

Maxym

Original Poster:

2,722 posts

258 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
The latest Revolution mag has a big splurge on the Bulgari Octo Finissimo. (Actually there appears to be an almost continuous love-in between Revolution and Bulgari and the OF in particular. I wonder why. wink)

Personally I'm not a fan of the looks of Bulgari watches although some Octos are I suppose 'quite nice'. I tend to regard the brand as a luxury goods one but then it does have some decent horological credentials, eg manufacture in Switzerland, a record of innovation and the absorption of Gerald Genta watches in the past.

Values seem to plummet from list immediately after purchase - but so do those of some famous watch brands that are pretty much universally admired and respected.

What does the PH Massive think? I doubt whether views will influence my future purchasing but I'm curious to know.

The Mad Monk

10,967 posts

139 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
Maxym said:
The latest Revolution mag has a big splurge on the Bulgari Octo Finissimo. (Actually there appears to be an almost continuous love-in between Revolution and Bulgari and the OF in particular. I wonder why. wink)

Personally I'm not a fan of the looks of Bulgari watches although some Octos are I suppose 'quite nice'. I tend to regard the brand as a luxury goods one but then it does have some decent horological credentials, eg manufacture in Switzerland, a record of innovation and the absorption of Gerald Genta watches in the past.

Values seem to plummet from list immediately after purchase - but so do those of some famous watch brands that are pretty much universally admired and respected.

What does the PH Massive think? I doubt whether views will influence my future purchasing but I'm curious to know.
I don't think so.

Seems more Vulgari to me.

smithyithy

7,765 posts

140 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
Big big fan of the Octo Finnisimo.






NDA

24,483 posts

247 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
It's a very striking looking watch - and a fantastic movement.

I'd love to try one on but have learned through trial and error that I prefer something a bit bulkier.

emperorburger

1,484 posts

88 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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Find out what Archie Luxury thinks

Buster73

5,494 posts

175 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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My wife used to say Vulgari when she saw any of their products in the window , which to be fair I think summed up a lot of their offerings.

Quite like the watches posted above though.



Edited by Buster73 on Monday 18th May 13:12

richthebike

1,753 posts

159 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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The Octo Finissimo is a modern design classic. Looks like nothing else, takes a connoisseur to appreciate it.

richthebike

1,753 posts

159 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
I don't get the vulgarity of the OF either. If anything, in general but particularly the titanium or blasted steel, its pretty industrial.

I'd argue any number of steel sports or tool watches (with a date cyclops wink ) are more vulgar.

Maxym

Original Poster:

2,722 posts

258 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
smithyithy said:
Big big fan of the Octo Finnisimo.





I do like the one in the second pic.

Maxym

Original Poster:

2,722 posts

258 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
OK, we might love or not love the looks, but what about the horology? Unexceptional (or worse)? Respected? Admired? Brilliantly engineered? Up there with the best? Or...?

nikaiyo2

5,673 posts

217 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
Maxym said:
OK, we might love or not love the looks, but what about the horology? Unexceptional (or worse)? Respected? Admired? Brilliantly engineered? Up there with the best? Or...?
Have you seen one in the flesh?

IMHO they are fantastic quality. Beautiful design. In terms of quality and innovation they would sit above Rolex.

smithyithy

7,765 posts

140 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
Thinnest automatic movement in the world wasn't it? Or one of the thinnest...

For a primarily fashion / jewelery brand I think their proper timepieces are really good. I've been on the look out for one in the flesh but no luck yet.

Ikemi

8,610 posts

227 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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emperorburger said:
Find out what Archie Luxury thinks
Phuck me dead! They’re stters! hehe

In my opinion, Bulgari are a high-end fashion/designer brand who have recently stepped up with regards to their watch offerings. However the brand still remains a jewellery brand at heart. I class them as a less desirable Cartier ... hehe

The OF range is impressive, as are the ultra thin movements! The skeleton variant looks somewhat lacklustre and once you find out the models posted above cost around £12,700 new, wouldn’t you be tempted by a JLC, AP or VC instead?

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

218 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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I think they're lovely, are they a Genta design or inspired by?

Gameface

16,565 posts

99 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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I've got a limited edition rose gold Bvlgari that was given to me to settle a debt.

Was over £30k new. The debt was around a third of that.

Bit bling but the quality is there.

Ikemi

8,610 posts

227 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
I think they're lovely, are they a Genta design or inspired by?
It’s originally a Gérald Genta design; he sold his company to Bulgari back in 1999.

Bulgari have also bought out Daniel Roth, the result of which is this incredible piece:


jonamv8

3,247 posts

188 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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How much are these?

Mezzanine

10,580 posts

241 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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smithyithy said:
Big big fan of the Octo Finnisimo.
Love these non-shiny versions. Would have one in a heartbeat if I could!

I think the OF are seriously under-rated. Top-notch ultra thin movements and modern and interesting styling which stands out from many other popular choices.

Seem a bit like Hermes, their genuine watchmaking chops get undermined by their fashion house overtones.

Radec

5,340 posts

69 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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Never thought to think about them as a watch brand more luxury goods however after reading about these particular watches and the movements it's seems they are trying hard to crossover.

In terms of these watches to me they are really nice looking and have a nice USP in the thinness.
I'd certainly buy one if I could.
Most watches are going to lose money apart from a select few.

If you like it and you think the craftsmanship and materials gone into it are worth it then buy it forget what anyone else says.

Ikemi

8,610 posts

227 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
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jonamv8 said:
How much are these?
There are a variety of models and metals available. A stainless steel OF with small seconds starts at £12,700. That said, the same model is available for £9920 from an online, grey market dealer. You could certainly obtain some discount from an AD. Chrono24 has them pre-owned with leather strap for £6-7K, or unworn with stainless steel bracelet for £8K.