Bulgari's New Octo WorldTimer 2021

August 30, 2021

Say hello to Bulgari's new world timer. It comes in the guise of the multifaceted Octo Roma, the not-so-svelte model that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Octo Finissimo. We've got two different versions. First is a stainless steel one on a really great integrated bracelet. It's got a blue dial. Then there's a steel case coated with DLC. This latter one comes on a black textured rubber strap and has a matching black dial. Each is 41mm in diameter and 11.35mm thick and has 100 meters of water resistance. They're some sporty travel watches, and with the Octo Roma case, they appear to bring the same architectural look of the Octo Finissimo but with what I imagine is a greater wrist presence. One of the things I love about the Octo Finissimo is how it tends to disappear on my wrist, but I'm sure there are people who have the opposite feeling.? The world time function is operated via the crown, and the rotating world time disc has been decorated with some pretty posh place-names. Saint Barth denotes the Caribbean, and you'll notice that Central European time is, of course, repped by Rome, or more accurately, Roma. Bulgari opted for the Italian spelling, which is, of course, also part of this Octo's name.? According to Bulgari, the 261-component BVL257 was developed and produced at its Le Sentier manufacture. What We Think Bulgari's obviously made mega-strides as a watchmaker in the past seven or eight years. If you're here reading this site I don't really need to tell you that. I think it's fair to say that a lot of enthusiasts used to write them off as a jeweler or fashion brand that did watches almost as a side hustle, but those days are over. Having a world timer produced in-house just makes sense when you're already repeating on thinness records for high-complications, year after year. Having said that, this model C and this movement C aren't really all that thin at 6.03mm, and the power reserve of 42 hours could be a bit longer considering this. I can't wait to see each of these models in the metal, especially the one on the bracelet. The combination of an Octo case (Finissimo or otherwise) and that bracelet is just about the most compelling pairing of case and bracelet to come about in the last decade.? The Basics Brand: BulgariModel: Octo Roma WorldTimerReference Number: 10381 (steel), and 10396 (DLC)Diameter: 41mmThickness: 11.35mmCase Material: Steel or DLC coated steelDial Color: Blue or BlackIndexes: Applied on blue dial; enhanced with lume on DLC modelLume: Yes, on DLC modelWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Integrated steel bracelet on 10381, fabric bracelet on 10396 The Movement Caliber: BVL257Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, world timeDiameter: 33mmThickness: 6.03mmPower Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800 vphJewels: 26 Pricing & Availability Prices: Steel: $8,350; DLC: $8,350Availability: October 2021 Shop this story The HODINKEE Shop is an authorized retailer for Bulgari. Explore our collection here. For more information, visit Bulgari.Bulgari is part of the LVMH Group. Although LVMH Luxury Ventures recently became a minority investor in HODINKEE, we maintain complete editorial independence.