#Hodinkee.Com

[xtruss]

Bulgari Sets A New Record (Again) For The World's Thinnest Watch With The New Octo Finissimo Ultra

A Mere 0.05mm Later, and the New Ultra Supplants Richard Mille's 2022 Efforts and Also Claims the Record as World's Thinnest Chronometer-Certified Watch.

— Danny Milton | April 08, 2024

World's thinnest watch 2024, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Cosc by Bulgari. Bulgari has developed the thinnest mechanical watch ever produced

I remember it like it was just yesterday. Richard Mille came out absolutely nowhere delivering a watch in partnership with Ferrari that snatched the throne as the world's thinnest watch, beating out the then-recently (like four months recently) released Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra by a mere 0.05mm.

We wrote pretty extensively about the Bulgari upon its release in March 2022, especially considering it not only held the thinness record at the time, but also featured a QR code for an NFT (remember those?) on the dial. The Ferrari then came roaring in with the new record and an engineering achievement, having built the movement into the case rather than going the route Bulgari went, using the caseback as a mainplate for the movement. And so, since July 2022, RM has held the record. That changes today.

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra returns and is thinner than ever – literally. As of today, the new Ultra boasts a thickness of 1.7mm, beating the RM by another .05mm. And just like RM delivered its record-setting watch with a bit of flare via the architecture, here Bulgari is raising the stakes by COSC-certifying the new Ultra, thereby making it not just the thinnest watch ever made, but also the thinnest chronometer-certified watch ever made. By my count, that's two records (though I am not sure anyone was waiting on the latter).

Of course, this should come as no surprise, as the attainment of records has been core to the Octo Finissimo line since its creation and has been a key factor in its meteoric rise as a collection that now stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of AP and Patek in its class (integrated bracelet sports watches).

And no matter where you stand on the need to have these records or their importance in the larger scheme of things, you can't deny the fact that Bulgari and Octo Finissimo achieved records for the thinnest tourbillon, minute repeater, self-winding watch, self-winding tourbillon, chronograph GMT, tourbillon chronograph, and perpetual calendar.

And while they may have lost the throne for the thinnest watch, full stop, for a brief period, the brand is back on top. And can add a "COSC-certified" wristwatch" to the above list. So now we know the new Ultra is the standard by which all thin watches (and thin chronometers) are to be measured. What about the watch itself? Well first off, for a complete breakdown of the original Ultra, much of which applies to this watch, I implore you to give this story a read.

Of course, the high-level points are the titanium case and the use of the caseback as a mainplate for the movement. And that caseback needed to be made of an especially hard and dense material: tungsten carbide. One hundred and seventy components of this manually wound movement are assembled and built into the watch. On the previous Ultra, as noted above, there was a QR code on the ratchet, which has now been changed to a Datamatrix, allowing the owner to experience the full details of the Ultra through photo, video, and advanced data.

Making this a COSC-certified movement added complexity to the assembly and construction of this ultra-thin watch but the caseback, used in the previous iteration, still provided enough stability for the now thinner watch. And that's because it was not the movement or the architecture that served as the area where the new thinness was achieved.

No, that would be the sapphire crystal. According to Bulgari the case was reworked to "optimize" the crystal. A careful meticulous process allows the engineers to do away with one-tenth of a millimeter necessary to achieve the record.

But it gets more interesting still, as Bulgari has made it even easier to set this piece. You quite literally place it in a dedicated case with a digital readout. Bulgari describes it as having a dedicated watchmaker at home, noting in its press release that once the watch is in the case, "the desired time is then programmed, and the adjustment cycle launched at the touch of a button. In a matter of seconds, the watch is perfectly adjusted and wound with impeccable precision." That is pretty damn cool.

This new record-breaker will be in a set of 20 pieces and will cost $529,000. In addition, Bulgari is also releasing an Octo Finissimo Ultra in platinum. It boasts the same 1.80mm thickness as the previous Ultra, which is now also a record for a platinum watch. No small deal for sure. One thing is certain, Bulgari has not lost its competitive edge and we'll have to wait and see which records are still left to beat.

The Basics:

Brand: Bulgari

Model: Octo Finissimo Ultra

Diameter: 40mm

Thickness: 1.7mm

Case Material: Titanium

Strap/Bracelet: Bracelet

The Movement:

Caliber: BVL 180

Functions: Hours Minutes Regulator Display

Thickness: 1.5mm

Power Reserve: 50 Hours

Winding: Hand-winding

Frequency: 4Hz

Chronometer Certified: Yes

The release marks Bulgari's ninth record for watch thinness

Pricing & Availability:

Price: $529,000

Availability: TBD

Limited Edition: Yes, 20 Pieces

[harmon-the-horologist]

Omega Seamaster 75th Anniversary Releases

In honour of the 75th anniversary of the Seamaster, Omega has released 3 beautiful updated versions of 2 classics and a modern inclusion in the Omega family.

(Photos from the wonderful Fratello website. Please do check them out for all the in-depth information on not just these watches, but so many others.)

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean- 215.30.40.20.03.002, approx. $7300US Omega PloProf 1200m- 227.32.55.21.03.001, approx. $14,000US Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep- 215.30.46.21.03.002, approx. $12,800US

I might do a post about the PO and the UD later, but anyone who knows me will know which of the three I ooo’d and ahhh’d over. (Though I will mention the cool Easter egg on the Ultra Deep. Because the original model was the one that made it down to the Mariana’s Trench, if you shine a UV light on the UD’s face, you’ll see this:)

But let’s get to (for me) the jewel of the trio-

Ref.# 227.32.55.21.03.001 Approx. $14,000 Product sheet

This is a re-introduction of the steel version that was discontinued in 2019. They also brought the monobloc case back, which is a case built entirely of one piece to prevent water from leaking in, if you actually use this watch for its intended purpose! 

Omega has a new proprietary steel called O-megasteel, first introduced on the Ultra Deep in 2022, which gives the steel its shine. The blue dial is a throwback to the 1971 version, and the other notable difference from the previous version is its size, shaving off 3mm from lug to lug and 2.8mm in thickness.

Just an aside, for those who might not be clear on watch dimensions, here is an example:

So this watch is 45mm x 55mm x 15.5mm (lug to lug x diameter x thickness).

There’s so much to this watch, and again, I can’t recommend Fratellowatches.com highly enough. They’re a big source of info for me, as well as Hodinkee.com. Check them out!

Would Mark Harmon Wear This Watch? Scale of 1-10: Absolute 10. He already owns a PloProf, which was the whole reason I started this blog in the first place. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if he already owns this one.

[santosdecartier]

Cartier Santos-Dumont in Yellow Gold. Deep Blue dial. Presented at Watches and Wonders 2023

source: hodinkee.com

[gemville]

Miles Davis's Piaget Polo

This watch was gifted to Davis in appreciation for his regular appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival

Source: hodinkee.com

[moonwatchuniverse]

Read our interview with Cole Pennington on the Hodinkee.com website as we’ll celebrate 5 years MoonwatchUniverse and our cooperation with Dutch space artist Ed Hengeveld who made an amazing series of astronaut & cosmonaut artworks highlighting the wristwatches that were worn by these spacefarers. (Photo: MoonwatchUniverse)

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/with-philip-corneille-founder-of-moonwatch-universe

[inspornation]

1941 Remontoire Limited Edition For HODINKEE

hodinkee.com

[g2web]

Anyone fascinated by watches, pocket watches or clocks 🕰? My dad was a collector of time pieces! He enjoyed building anything that measured time. He was an analytical soul that missed his calling! I recently started working with an horologist and started reading articles about time pieces. I wish he were here to tell me his thoughts on this article I just read on Hodinkee.com @hodinkee #horology #qualitywatchea (at Wingate's Quality Watches) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfVfzjSMSrY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[eng-horology-blog]

Horology & Rap

“She knows the time, she sees the Richard Mille, flat double skeletal tourbillon.”Rap is anything but humble. One can see that from listening to any verse on any song, but rap extends beyond gaudy chains and designer clothing. Rappers have been using horology to flaunt their wealth for more than a decade, but here has been a recent influx of horological references in recent years. In this post I will discuss and break down some verses and the watches referenced.

1. All Falls Down by Kanye West

(Video by Kanye West/Vevo)

“That’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches, Rollies and Pashas done drove me crazy.”

So crazy, in fact, that ‘Ye has called himself a god and don’t even get me started with his tweeting habits. In this line in this iconic song, Kanye references Rolex and a Pasha de Cartier. With Rolex being the horological juggernaut it is, a reference from one of the most influential artists of all time doesn’t seem to be that odd, but the reference to a Pasha can be considered quite odd, as they are not the most expensive or gaudy or notorious. (Rolex and Pasha pictured below)

(Photo by hodinkee.com)

(photo by Bob’s watches)

2. Can I Have It Like That by Pharrell

(Video by Pharrell/Vevo)

“She knows the time, she sees the Richard Mille, flat double skeletal tourbillon.”

Hailing from this area, Skateboard P is an iconic rapper and producer and definitely one of my idols. His watch choice definitely solidified that. Richard Mille is a fairly new luxury swiss watch brand in terms of age, being founded only in 1999, but has already left an imprint on the horological world. Richard Mille is one of the most successful independent watch brands and has singlehandedly reinvented watchmaking in the 21st century. Referenced in this song is a Richard Mille reference RM052. Limited to only 21 pieces world wide, this wrist-watch retailed for a whopping 500,000 USD but fetches for over $600,000 now. Pictured below is this beautiful piece featuring the distinctive tonneau case, exposed tourbillon, and of course the skull crafted in solid gold. 

(photo by watchanish.com)

3. Otis by Kanye West & Jay Z

(Video by Kanye West/Vevo)

“New watch alert, Hublots, or the big face Rollie, I got two of those.” (Jay Z)

Two rap powerhouses teamed up and called themselves, “The Throne.” In a verse, they reference two horological powerhouses, Rolex and Hublot. As discussed previously, we all know of Rolex’s notoriety. Hublot is a luxury Swiss watchmaker founded in 1980 that focuses on the fusion of art and tradition. The brand has collaborated with street artists to automotive companies, like Ferrari, to athletes like Usain Bolt & Dwayne Wade. I find it quite wonderful that two of the most influential and important rappers referenced to of the most influential and important horological brands. Ye, Jay, Hublot, and Rolex: all innovative, creative, well-respected, notorious, and continuing to shape their respective worlds. Pictured below are two of my favorite watches from each company. The onyx dial day-date is extremely elegant and is unique in comparison to the quintessential Day-Date with hour markers and champagne dial. The second picture is of a Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu. Inspired by a tattoo, Hublot collaborated with Maxime Buchi to create this limited edition watch. 

(Photos by hodinkee.com)

[ninaluxe-blog]

2018 Cartier Santos large in pink gold

Image c/o Hodinkee.com / Cartier

[mondaniweb]

Breaking News ‼️ Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chanel, And Chopard Leave Baselworld ‼️ They are starting a new Geneva-based salon in conjunction with the FHH (former SIHH). The new show will take place in April 2021 in Geneva 🇨🇭 "The decision to leave Baselworld was not an easy one to take for me, being the fourth generation of the Stern family to participate to this traditional yearly event," says Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe. "But life evolves constantly, things change and people change as well, whether it is at the level of those responsible for the watch fair organization, the brands or the clients.....” • "We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions made by MCH Group, and in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw," says Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour. • • Source: Hodinkee.com • • • #mondani #mondaniweb #giorgiamondani #baselworld #hodinkee #rolex #patekphilippe #tudor #chanel #chopard #sihh #news #rolexwatch #rolexwatches #patekphilippewatch #chanelwatches #chanelwatch #watchclub #watchclubindonesia #singaporewatchclub #dubaiwatch #picoftheday #horologymania https://www.instagram.com/p/B-_6YpLKSpJ/?igshid=1f4unfwyayytv

[cargoblues]

From “Hodinkee.com”

[onejamtart]

Talking Watches 2 With John Mayer

From HODINKEE, “It's hard to believe it's been over five years – half a decade (!!) – since I sat down with John Mayer at a little cafe down the road from our office, a four-person WeWork rental that we hadn't even filled out yet. The HODINKEE team back then consisted of myself, Mr. Will Holloway, and the one and only SJPeezy – Stephen J. Pulvirent. Our team was small but strong, and all we needed back then was a free afternoon with a rock star to make some content that we are still proud of to this very day. I am proud to say that both Stephen and Will are still very much a part of this business, even now that we are over 10 times the size, and our offices are, well, a little bigger too. Talking Watches With John Mayer aired on September 25, 2013, and since then it has been viewed almost 2 million times. And now we're back with another one. For the full story, go to hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-2-john-mayer”

Peace, JW

[blancpain1735-fan-luxembourg]

have a look at this article on hodinkee.com

[dcvw]

HODINKEE: Watch Collector PSA - Help The Son Of Legendary Diver Carl Spencer Find The Watch That Belonged To His Father (Please Share – UPDATED)

We don't do this often – make a public call to arms for the watch collecting community – but when there is a wrong that needs to be righted, we must use the voice that you've given us to help. So, I deeply encourage you to read on and share this story with as many people as you can.

...

The watch we are looking for is a Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 16600, with serial number Y882641. You can see it above, and as we stated earlier, it was sold via Fellows on January 23, 2012, as lot 225. You cansee the lot here. If you have any information on this watch or know anyone that might, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us at contact@hodinkee.com. Now let's see if we can't get this Rolex back to where it belongs, on the wrist of Ben Spencer.

For more on Carl Spencer and what he meant to his friends at colleagues,watch this short film on the crew's return to Britannic for the first time after his passing.

[gemville]

1970 Cuff Watch From The 21st Century Collection by Piaget

Yellow Gold, Turquoise and Lapis Lazuli

Source: hodinkee.com

[truesportsfan]

How US major league sports officials are preparing for coronavirus curveballs

Major US sports leagues are creating coronavirus committees and consulting with medical experts as they closely monitor the spread of the deadly disease, officials told The Post on Friday.

Basketball and hockey officials especially are keeping a watchful eye on the outbreak — although unlike in China, South Korea, Italy, and other infected countries, big arena events in the US are not being canceled, officials confirmed.

“The health and safety of our employees, teams, players and fans is paramount,” said NBA spokesman Mike Bass.

“We are coordinating with our teams and consulting with the CDC and infectious disease specialists on the coronavirus, and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Meanwhile, hockey honchos at the NHL and its Players’ Association have created an “Infectious Disease Control Subcommittee,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

“We do have a group of people we have tabbed to stay on top of developments and to keep us and our Clubs informed,” Daly said.

As of Friday, 60 infected patients are being treated at US hospitals and military bases — 42 of which caught the virus on a single cruise liner, the Diamond Princess.

Given the relatively low numbers, US sports teams are not taking the drastic steps seen in Japan and in Italy, where fans are being barred from attending arena events over coronavirus concerns.

The Summer Olympics are still set to begin in Tokyo in July, though Japan on Friday called for a two-week ban on public events throughout the country.

In Switzerland, where some 100 suspected cases are being monitored, officials announced that all events with more than 1,000 participants are now banned.

A map of the coronavirus cases around the world.

As a result, “Baselworld,” the country’s largest and oldest watch and jewelry fair, has announced its first postponement in its 102-year history. The event, originally scheduled for April 30 through May 5, will now be held from January 28 to February 2 of 2021, hodinkee.com reported.

The Geneva International Motor Show, scheduled to open this week, has also been canceled.

But as of Friday, event cancellations were not in the offing in the US, where watchful waiting and planning remained the game plan for the major leagues.

Even in the offseason, football officials are staying in contact with The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.

The NFL and its Players’ Association are also consulting with medical experts at the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network Program for Infection Prevention, McCarthy said.

“We will continue those discussions throughout our offseason,” he said.

Major league baseball officials and the Yankees did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for details concerning coronavirus preparations. A Mets spokesperson said the team is deferring to the MLB.

source https://truesportsfan.com/sport-today/how-us-major-league-sports-officials-are-preparing-for-coronavirus-curveballs/