Introducing: The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Black Sandblast-Polished Ceramic

January 15, 2020

We don't typically report too heavily on line extensions and small model variations here on HODINKEE, but this new addition to the Octo Finissimo line-up is just too damn cool to ignore. Last year, Bulgari added an all matte black ceramic model to the Octo Finissimo collection, and it was met with just as much excitement as you'd expect. It's a matte black take on an already popular watch C nobody's going to argue with that. But now we're getting that same watch in a new finish. Bulgari is calling it "sandblast-polished" ceramic, but what they really mean is a mixture of sandblasted and polished finishes. If you look closely at the images here, you can tell that certain facets on the case and bracelet are now mirror polished, while others remain that deep matte black color. This gives the watch some contrast and just a touch of shine, breathing new life into a form that we've come to know pretty well over the last few years. Initial Thoughts I cannot wait to see this watch in the metal. It's a bit tough to tell exactly how it looks from the press images, since so much is going to come down to how it catches light on the wrist and how the matte and polishes surfaces interact with one another in real life. That said, I'm unreservedly optimistic that the results are going to be awesome. We've told you before how hard it is to shape and finish ceramic in ultra-precise ways, and it's great to see Bulgari taking on the challenge. There also appear to be some subtle variations between the dial in this watch and the dial in the all-matte version, most notably the engraved sub-seconds register on this new dial. Making an all-black watch that's both subtle and striking is tough. This one seems to tick all the boxes without missing a beat. The Basics Brand: BulgariModel: Octo Finissimo Automatic Black Sandblast-Polished CeramicReference Number: 103368Diameter: 40mmThickness: 5.5mmCase Material: Black ceramic with polished and sandblasted finishesDial Color: Matte black sandblasted ceramicIndexes: Batons, with Arabic numerals at 12 and six o'clockLume: NoneWater Resistance: 30 metersStrap/Bracelet: Integrated black ceramic bracelet with folding clasp The Movement Caliber: BVL 138Functions: Hours, minutes, secondsDiameter: 36.6mmThickness: 2.23mmPower Reserve: 60 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)Jewels: 36Additional Details: Wound with a platinum micro-rotor Pricing & Availability Price: $15,600Limited Edition: No, regular production modelFor more, click here.