Bulgari Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic

Pingtsai introduces the Bulgari Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic, a timepiece that reinterprets the original Octo design with a contemporary, sporty aesthetic. The author highlights the harmonious blend of materials, including brushed steel, satin-brushed black ceramic, and an onyx cabochon crown, creating a distinctive and versatile watch suitable for various occasions.

BVLGARI Gerald Genta Collection Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic

Bulgari’s new Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic takes the blueprint of the original Octo and infuses it with a modern and sporty sophistication.  The combination of materials and finishes used for its case: a brushed steel octagonal base, a satin-brushed “studded” black ceramic bezel, and a polished crown set with an onyx cabochon together create a harmonious watch concept.  The angular shape of the lugs along with the choice of ceramic as a material for the bezel lends to the modernistic approach to the design of the watch.  Also the signature Gerald Genta knobbed crown in a polished finish pairs well with the polished “studs” on the bezel.  Fitted with a natural rubber strap, the watch is practical for daily wear but can also be dressed up with a leather one for business or formal occasions. 

The Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic is driven by the in-house made Calibre GG 7722, a mechanical self-winding movement with a jumping hour window display along with a retrograde-type minute and date indications by super imposed hands.  The jumping hours display is visible through a wide aperture at 12 o’clock and perfectly complements the retrograde minute indication which consists of a hand running over a 210° arc featuring a graduated scale divided into 10-minute zones.  The minute markers on the inner arc in the center of the dial which show through the cutout of the minute hand serve to read off the minutes in each of the zones.  The date can be read off on a 180° segment at the bottom of the dial.

This movement is finished with all the refined technical and aesthetic touches one would expect from such an exclusive mechanism: a dedicated “old gold” finish, circular-grained, perlage surfaces and polished screw heads.  The movement is visible through the sapphire crystal secured by eight screws with pentagonal heads.

In my opinion, this new Octo is a great addition to the Octo collection.  The design elements are very well balanced and it still resembles the original but in an ultra-modern and high-tech manner.  The angular sculpted and textured rubber strap is a unique feature along with the signature GG crown.  However, there could have been a little more variation in the finishing of the movement to create more visual interest and depth.  What are my fellow PuristS' opinions?  In comparison to the original?

- Ping

Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic Specifications:

Self-winding movement, jumping hours, retrograde minutes and date;
28,800vph, 45-hour power reserve.
43 mm-diameter steel case, black ceramic bezel, transparent caseback,crown set with an onyx cabochon.
Water-resistant to 100 metres.
Rubberstrap, steel triple-blade folding clasp.

All photos courtesy of Kong