Every September, Geneva comes alive with a different kind of energy. Instead of the closed, high-walled watch fairs of old, Geneva Watch Days spills into the city’s boutiques, riverside pavilions, and galleries. It feels more like a festival than a trade show—one where collectors, journalists, and curious passersby all share the same stage.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In 2025, few brands captured that spirit better than Bvlgari. The Roman jeweller-turned-watchmaker has spent the past decade redefining what modern horology can look like, and this year, its spotlight once again shone on the Octo Finissimo.
What began as a daringly thin wristwatch over ten years ago has now grown into a whole world of experimentation. And at Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari unveiled three very different but equally compelling takes on its philosophy: one rooted in art, another in nature, and the third in time itself.
Octo Finissimo Lee Ufan × Bvlgari – Minimalism With a Soul
One of the fair’s most talked-about watches was Bvlgari’s collaboration with Lee Ufan, the Korean-Japanese artist known for his contemplative works that balance stillness and space.
At first glance, the watch’s mirrored dial looks almost simple. But like Ufan’s art, it asks you to slow down. The reflection turns every glance into a dialogue—between presence and absence, light and shadow, permanence and fragility.
The titanium case keeps things featherlight, while the ultra-thin micro-rotor movement inside reminds us that this is still a serious piece of horology. Produced in just 150 pieces, it’s less of a wristwatch and more of a wearable artwork—one that lives at the intersection of philosophy and precision.
Octo Finissimo Marble Tourbillon – Nature on the Wrist
If the Ufan collaboration was about reflection, the Marble Tourbillon was about permanence. Bvlgari dared to carve a dial from deep-blue Italian marble, a material as stubborn as it is beautiful. To thin it down enough for a watch dial without losing its character is a feat in itself.
Framed by a platinum case and powered by a hand-wound flying tourbillon, the watch looks like a slice of earth frozen in time. On the wrist, it feels less like jewellery and more like sculpture—quietly powerful, endlessly fascinating. Limited to just 30 pieces, it’s destined to be one of the most coveted watches from the entire fair.
Bvlgari Aluminium Bronzo – Watches That Evolve With You
While the Octo Finissimo grabbed headlines, Bvlgari also surprised collectors by giving its sporty Aluminium line a new twist: bronze.
Two models joined the family:
A Bronzo Chronograph with bold racing-style sub-dials and a rugged, sandblasted bronze case.
A Bronzo GMT, built for travellers, with a clean 24-hour scale and dual-time functionality.
The beauty of bronze lies in its changeability. Over time, it develops a patina unique to its wearer—no two watches will age the same way. In a world where luxury often feels polished to perfection, the Bronzo celebrates imperfection as a form of individuality.
Why These Watches Matter
Bvlgari’s Geneva Watch Days 2025 novelties aren’t just new models—they’re statements.
Form: The Octo Finissimo continues to lead the ultra-thin category, proving less really can be more.
Material: Marble and bronze push watchmaking into fresh, tactile territory.
Culture: Collaborations with artists like Lee Ufan remind us that watches can carry ideas as much as they carry hours.
Together, they show that Bvlgari isn’t just making timepieces—it’s exploring time itself.
Eleven Years of Record-Breaking Innovation
Alongside these novelties, Bvlgari also took time to reflect on the Octo Finissimo’s journey. At Geneva Watch Days 2025, the Maison presented its first full retrospective of the collection—an exhibition charting eleven years of relentless innovation and ten world records.
The Octo Finissimo is as much about architecture as it is about mechanics. Its octagonal case was inspired by the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome, translating Roman geometry into a contemporary design language. Over the past decade, this architecture has become the canvas for groundbreaking engineering and creative collaborations alike.
Key Milestones
2014 — The Beginning: The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon introduced the ultra-slim BVL 268 calibre, measuring just 1.95mm, setting the stage for record-breaking thinness.
2017 — Everyday Icon: The Octo Finissimo Automatic debuted at 5.15mm thick, proving ultra-thin could be practical, elegant, and wearable.
2021 — A Crown Achievement: The Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar in titanium not only claimed the record as the thinnest perpetual calendar at 5.80mm, but also won the Aiguille d’Or at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
2025 — Breaking Limits Again: This year, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, unveiled at Watches and Wonders, stunned with a case just 1.85mm thick—a technical feat that almost defies belief.
The retrospective made one thing clear: the Octo Finissimo is more than a collection. It’s a statement of intent—Bvlgari’s relentless drive to push design, engineering, and artistry beyond the imaginable.
Final Thoughts
Walking away from Bvlgari’s showcase this year, one thing was clear: these aren’t watches that quietly tick in the background. They’re meant to start conversations, to spark curiosity, to evolve with you.
Whether it’s the reflective stillness of the Lee Ufan edition, the sculptural presence of the Marble Tourbillon, or the ever-changing Bronzo Aluminium, Bvlgari has given collectors pieces that feel alive.
For anyone who believes a watch should tell more than the time, Bvlgari’s 2025 lineup is proof that horology can be as poetic as it is precise.
