Do you remember when the watch world was turned upside down? Not long ago, Richard Mille, in a stunning move, teamed up with Ferrari to launch the RM UP-01 Ferrari, a watch so thin it grabbed the title of the world's thinnest watch right from Bulgari's hands. Yep, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, which had been the talk of the town just four months prior, got bested by a whisker – just 0.05mm!
Then came RM UP-01 Ferrari, speeding ahead with this groundbreaking thin watch, showcasing some serious engineering magic by integrating the movement right into the case, a different approach from Bulgari's method of using the caseback as the main plate for the movement. Since July 2022, Richard Mille has been sitting pretty at the top of the thin watch game. But guess what? Things are changing as of now.
Today, April 8, 2024, Bulgari is back with a bang! The brand is showcasing its iconic Swiss-Italian flair with the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, reclaiming its title as the maker of the world's thinnest mechanical watch. But Bulgari didn't stop there; they've gone a step further to make this timepiece the thinnest COSC-certified chronometer ever. It's not just about being thin; according to Bulgari, this watch is also about superior functionality.
Indeed, when it comes to watches, size really does matter! The race to be the thinnest has been fierce and ongoing. Now, let's turn our attention to the latest marvel in this thrilling competition: the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC – The New World's Thinnest Watch.
The New World's Thinnest Watch Since April 2024 - Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC
Bulgari's Octo Finissimo Ultra is back, setting new records with its latest version. Now, it's slimmer than ever at just 1.70mm thick, edging out the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari by a mere 0.05mm.
That means, The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC is now the world's thinnest watch.
But Bulgari didn't stop at just slimming down the watch. They've gone a step further by getting the new Ultra COSC-certified, making it not only the thinnest watch in existence but also the thinnest chronometer-certified watch ever.
So, what's the big deal? This means the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC isn't just about looks; it's also about precision and reliability.
The watch's movement, the BVL180, is only 1.50mm thick and has passed the stringent tests set by COSC, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
This is a big deal because most luxury watches, especially the ultra-thin and complex ones, don't usually undergo this kind of independent performance testing.
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC is an exclusive series, with only 20 pieces available, each priced at $529,000.
In addition to this 1.70mm Ultra COSC model, Bulgari is also unveiling a new variant of the 1.80mm Octo Finissimo Ultra. This new version combines tungsten carbide and platinum, featuring striking blue dials for the hours and minutes, adding another layer of sophistication to Bulgari's ultra-thin watch collection.
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Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari Became the Second World’s Thinnest Watch
Richard Mille, in collaboration with Ferrari, previously set a new benchmark by creating the world's thinnest watch. Their RM UP-01 Ferrari, boasting a slender profile of just 1.75mm, edged out Bulgari's 1.8mm Octo Finissimo Ultra by a mere 0.05mm. Imagine, this record-breaking announcement came just a few months after Bulgari's March 2022 revelation of their then-record holder. The watchmaking arena is indeed fiercely competitive!
Unveiled in Maranello, Italy, the RM UP-01 isn't just impressively thin but also remarkably lightweight. The movement alone weighs a mere 2.82g, with the entire watch tipping the scales at under 30g, strap included. Unlike its competitors Piaget and Bulgari, which integrated the case as part of the movement, Richard Mille innovatively housed the entire mechanism within a sealed case.
This limited edition marvel, with only 150 pieces available, comes with a hefty price tag of $1,750,000.
Given the collaboration with Ferrari, it's fitting that F1 driver Charles LeClerc was among the first to sport this ultra-thin timepiece.
However, the RM UP-01 Ferrari has now been surpassed, taking the second spot as the world's thinnest watch, with Bulgari's latest creation claiming the top position.
Third Thinnest Watch in the World – Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra
This watch, measuring just 1.8mm thick, turned heads in the watch enthusiast community.
Created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Octo men's collection, it not only set Bulgari's eighth world record in ultra-thin watchmaking but also dethroned the 2018 Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept, which was 2mm thick.
The design of this 40mm sandblasted titanium watch is groundbreaking, featuring separate dials for hours, minutes, and seconds, with the seconds displayed uniquely at the 6 o'clock position. This design aligns with the series' innovative approach. Adding a modern twist, the watch includes an engraved QR code that links to an NFT and the metaverse, blending traditional watchmaking with the digital age.
With only 10 pieces available globally, the Octo Finissimo Ultra was priced at €400,000. Now, this watch ranks as the third thinnest in the world, which means Bulgari holds two of the top three positions in the ultra-thin watch category.
