orthern lights, shooting stars, a solar eclipse... Everyone dreams of witnessing these exceptional natural phenomena at least once in a lifetime. What if these unique moments were always with you, just a glance away? This is the vision behind the new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo, unveiled this fall: a collaboration between Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bvlgari’s Executive Director of Watch Design, and artist Laurent Grasso.

“A watch that speaks of time not as a measurement but as a space shaped by a metaphysical concept,” says Buonamassa Stigliani. Celebrated for its minimalist, harmonious design, the Octo Finissimo – truly a Bvlgari icon – takes you on a journey to explore the cosmos through the combined talents of designer and artist.

Draped entirely in a deep midnight blue that, from case to bracelet, subtly reflects light, the watch appears immersed in darkness, evoking the tranquillity of a post-sunset sky. At the dial’s centre, a cloud casts rainbow-like reflections, diffusing a mysterious, elusive presence. “I thought of iridescent clouds - unique and almost magical formations,” explains Laurent Grasso. “The particles in suspension and myriad frozen water droplets diffract light, rendering the cloud iridescent with multiple colours. I find this phenomenon fascinating and the dialogue with Fabrizio began with looking for ways of recreating it on the dial.”

The three watch hands seem to hover over the dial, as if floating in the night. Grasso’s interpretation blurs the boundaries of perception: is it reality that we see, or is it just an illusion?

Infused with an aura of mystery and magic, this watch perfectly embodies the world of Laurent Grasso, whose signature graces the back of the case. For over twenty years, this French artist has explored the unseen and intangible through videos, photographs, sculptures, and installations. Floating eyes, moving celestial bodies, haunting clouds... In his work, figures and elements converge to create disorienting, ambiguous atmospheres, leaving you to wonder where reality ends and the dream begins.

Given his longstanding interest in science and the cosmos, it’s no surprise that the artist accepted the invitation to bring his concept to the world of watchmaking – a field intimately connected to both the stars and mechanics. Laurent Grasso sees each of his creations as a “machine” that allows him to observe the world in a new and poetic way. He views the cloud, a quintessential symbol of dreams, as both extraordinary and fleeting, suspended between the earthly and the celestial. Now screen-printed on the watch dial, the cloud, along with the moving hands, evokes one of the major themes of his artistic universe.

Launched in 2014, the Octo Finissimo watch has made its mark on the world of horology. Its success is rooted in several key features. First and foremost is the distinctive minimalist design and harmonious eight-sided shape, conceived by the talented Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani. The result is a watch that instantly conveys a sense of balance. The Italian maison takes its inspiration from the octagon, an emblematic form found on the ceilings of the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome.

Since 1884, Bvlgari has drawn inspiration from the splendour of Rome’s monuments and architectural treasures. The Eternal City has always been central to the maison’s creative identity. This sense of harmony is further heightened by the interplay of two elemental shapes: the circle of the dial, nestled perfectly within the octagon of the case.

True to its iconic monochrome aesthetic, the Octo Finissimo is crafted from a single material, here presented in a unique blue hue. The only disruption to this monochrome harmony is the cloud, which adds a touch of refined contrast.

Over the past ten years, the watch has been continually refined, resulting in ever-thinner models. At the heart of this unique journey, which has led to nine world records for Bvlgari, lies the absolute precision of its design studio. These records have earned the Roman maison numerous international awards.

The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo saga is the story of a relentless pursuit of horological finesse, from the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manuel in 2014 and the Octo Finissimo Automatic in 2017 to the COSC-certified Octo Finissimo Ultra in 2024 – each etching its name in the record books. Every new model pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

The result is a design that is at once strong, understated, and ultra-modern, providing the perfect canvas for the imagination of artist Laurent Grasso.

Wearing the Octo Finissimo x Laurent Grasso isn’t just about sporting a timepiece; it’s about wearing a true work of art on your wrist.

The brass dial and titanium bracelet are fully coated in a PVD treatment to give the midnight blue the most even and matte finish imaginable. This exceptional finish creates an impression of depth, brought to life by the cloud of colours applied through a screen-printing process using metallic pigments. Like a splash of paint on a blank canvas, the magic of a fleeting phenomenon is forever captured on the surface of this accessory.

Issued in a limited edition of 200 pieces worldwide, this watch comes with its own elegant blue presentation case, matching the unique blue finish of the timepiece. Inside, you’ll find the signatures of both Laurent Grasso and the renowned Roman jeweller.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference 104005
LIMITED EDITION (200)

Movement

• BVL 138 manufacture automatic winding ultra-thin movement with micro-rotor (2.23 mm thick). Hand-decorated with Côtes de Genève, chamfering and perlage finishing. Power reserve: 60 hours. Frequency: 21,600 VpH (3 Hz).

Case, Dial and Bracelet

• 40 mm sandblasted titanium case with PVD blue coating; thickness: 5.0mm; transparent case back adorned with a cloud and Laurent Grasso’s signature. DLC titanium crown with black ceramic insert. Water resistant to 30 meters (3 ATM). Dial and hands with blue PVD coating, cloud pattern created using a serigraphy technique with metallic pigments. Titanium bracelet with blue PVD coating and integrated folding buckle in DLC titanium.