A wonder of watchmaking achieves the virtually impossible

Unrelenting in its mission to pursue the nigh- on impossible, the Roman jewellery house of Bulgari has this year pulled another wonder of watchmaking out of its hat, in the form of the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic, whose combination of both of those functions in a timepiece that’s just 6.9mm thick is blowing just about everyone away. ( And if you were wondering how thin the BVL 318 calibre needs to be to fit into a case as slim as that, it measures a staggering 3.3mm.)

That this Octo Finissimo – which we can confirm is the world’s thinnest mechanical chronograph – wears as light as a feather on the wrist almost goes without saying, for not only is the world’s thinnest mechanical chronograph ultra- skinny but also its angular case, dial and bracelet are fashioned from titanium. And in spite of the Octo’s distinctively angular design cues and busy six- hand display, the long and lean hour markers and restrained font mean it’s also minimal and modern.

In addition to hours, minutes, seconds and chronograph functions, there’s also a 24- hour GMT dial at 3 o’clock, which is neatly adjusted by a pusher on the opposite flank of the case. Add a 55- hour power reserve to its abilities and the fact that the amazingly compact – and beautifully finished – movement can be admired through a caseback crystal and you’ll have no difficulty appreciating why this is indeed a remarkable timepiece.