Bvlgari – Octo Ultranero Solotempo

93 years after its foundation in Rome, Bvlgari began its watchmaking adventure in 1977 and is still going strong. Its Roman roots go into the patterns and architecture that are intrinsic to its designs as we can see on the Octo Ultranero Solotempo’s case.

The 41mm case is edgy to say the least. It’s carved out of steel, coated in black DLC and topped by an equally edgy bezel in the same material or rose gold. Its black lacquer dial bears slender hour markers and two Arabic numerals (6 and 12) in rose gold. The hours and minutes are tracked by two dauphine-shape openwork hands in the centre whilst a slim central seconds hand ticks down the seconds. The subtle white-on-black date display lies at 3.

The functions are fuelled by the self-winding BVL 193 calibre with a 50-hour power reserve.

Price: 7,950 CHF (black bezel) – 10,500 CHF (rose gold bezel)

By Sharmila Bertin