Any watch enthusiast worth his salt is familiar with Bvlgari’s Octo collection, a family of watches built around an eight-sided case, and its revolutionary interpretation, the Octo Finissimo (Italian for “the finest”), that has been on a continuous record-breaking streak as the thinnest watch in the world. A watch connoisseur also appreciates Vianney Halter’s contribution to horology with his retro-futuristic designs. But even a seasoned watch collector could not predict the result of collaboration between Bvlgari and Halter. Equally revered and well-established in the industry, the two watch makers have vastly different philosophies: how can Halter’s “machine from another time” aesthetic fit within the constraints of Octo Finissimo’s Roman strictness?
The highlight of Geneva Watch Days 2026, Octo Finissimo Dual Time has taken the best of two worlds, both technically and design-wise. The watch comes in two versions, Titanium and Rose Gold, limited to 30 and 15 pieces respectively. Titanium has been at the core of Bvlgari’s architectonic Roman designs due to its sternness, lightness, and resilience and has become the Maison’s “creative language”, in the words of Managing Director Jonathan Brinbaum. The case DNA is unmistakably Octo Finissimo with its titanium integrated bracelet, octagonal geometry and impressive thinness (the watch is just 9.7 mm thick). For the first time in history, Bvlgari has handed keys to their movement lab to an independent watchmaker. Vianney Halter and the Maison’s in-house professionals have worked together for three years and developed the brand-new BVF 200 automatic calibre (based on the BVL 138), delivering local time, GMT, date, and day/night across four opaline displays and a 60h power reserve.
The Rose Gold version is much closer to Vianney Halter’s Antiqua, traditionally described as a “relic from the future” or Futur Anterieur and loved by collectors for its steampunk spirit. Halter’s childhood passion for Science Fiction and Jules Verne adventure novels, as well as his undying curiosity for historical machinery that he is now collecting, inspired many of his timepieces. Octo Finissimo Dual Time is no exception. The perfectly polished riveted portholes and bold rainbow-shaped date display, as well as navy-blue hands and oxblood seconds pointer on the marked GMT indicator reinforce Halter’s distinctive Victorian Science Revolution forward-looking style. The Rose Gold edition feels warmer and more sensuous, like a family heirloom, complemented perfectly by the brown alligator strap. The Titanium piece on the integrated bracelet is more austere, almost ascetic, true to Octo Finissimo’s philosophy.
Octo Finissimo Dual Time is a mechanical and creative marvel that unites two very distinct philosophies: yet, it’s 100% Bvlgari, and it’s 100% Vianney Halter. It’s Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Dual Time x Vianney Halter.
Article edited by Anastasia Fedosova