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Old 12 August 2019, 08:57 AM   #1
jag32
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Is Bvlgari a respected brand?

There are a few Bvlgari pieces I like but I’m concerned it’s just not a good brand.... like a Hublot. What’s the consensus of Bvlgari among WIS?
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:09 AM   #2
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Judging by your signature, you have quite a collection already. Why do you care what others think?
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:13 AM   #3
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I think Bulgari makes fine watches. I have one - the Bulgari Bulgari. Designed by Genta.

I dont think Hublot is an apt comparison.

I would compare it to Cartier. Reknowned jewellers who also make fantastic watches.
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:36 AM   #4
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Judging by your signature, you have quite a collection already. Why do you care what others think?
Thanks! To answer your question it is Because I do value the opinions of my fellow WIS on here and their opinions are also indicative of the market and will help me better understand if $10k of hard earned money is worth dropping on a brand I’m not familiar with.
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:36 AM   #5
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I think Bulgari makes fine watches. I have one - the Bulgari Bulgari. Designed by Genta.

I dont think Hublot is an apt comparison.

I would compare it to Cartier. Reknowned jewellers who also make fantastic watches.
Which Bulgari lines were designed by Genta?
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:39 AM   #6
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Bulgari is a fashion brand. Cartier is a jewelry store.
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:53 AM   #7
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Not sure about reputation, but I’m really liking the new chrono/gmt
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:53 AM   #8
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I own their Octo Finissimo Automatic in Titanium. It was a world record holder for the thinnest Automatic watch.

That product line holds world records for similar ultra thin watches with complications. Tourbillon/Minute repeater/Chronograph GMT etc.

Bulgari incorporated the Genta brand and Daniel Roth. So some great pedigree in there with expertise for sure.

I like this watch a lot. Like some of their Genta super complication pieces. Not soo much their other lines.

They seem to be churning out some fantastic pieces for both WIS and the non at multiple reasonable price points that are GPHG award winners.

So yes they are a fashion brand diversifying into haute-horological from their staple.

So do they have generations of direct uninterrupted non-acquired independent familial horological history? Probably not.

Does that make them ‘not a respected’ brand? I don’t think so.

After owning Rolexes Breguets Pateks, you start to reach a point in this horological journey we all take where the watch is the only thing that matters. If it catches you then go for it (assuming you can afford it and it is available of course!).

My 2c.
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Old 12 August 2019, 10:12 AM   #9
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Bulgari is a fashion brand. Cartier is a jewelry store.
So, $10k is not a good buy for a Bulgari Octo?
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Old 12 August 2019, 10:13 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by alpharulez View Post
I own their Octo Finissimo Automatic in Titanium. It was a world record holder for the thinnest Automatic watch.

That product line holds world records for similar ultra thin watches with complications. Tourbillon/Minute repeater/Chronograph GMT etc.

Bulgari incorporated the Genta brand and Daniel Roth. So some great pedigree in there with expertise for sure.

I like this watch a lot. Like some of their Genta super complication pieces. Not soo much their other lines.

They seem to be churning out some fantastic pieces for both WIS and the non at multiple reasonable price points that are GPHG award winners.

So yes they are a fashion brand diversifying into haute-horological from their staple.

So do they have generations of direct uninterrupted non-acquired independent familial horological history? Probably not.

Does that make them ‘not a respected’ brand? I don’t think so.

After owning Rolexes Breguets Pateks, you start to reach a point in this horological journey we all take where the watch is the only thing that matters. If it catches you then go for it (assuming you can afford it and it is available of course!).

My 2c.
Thank you! Please do share some photos of your Octo!! Wrist pics are especially appreciated!
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Old 12 August 2019, 10:17 AM   #11
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Thank you! Please do share some photos of your Octo!! Wrist pics are especially appreciated!


Older pic.

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Old 12 August 2019, 10:18 AM   #12
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Thank you! Please do share some photos of your Octo!! Wrist pics are especially appreciated!


And this was a try out of their brand new GMT Chrono! (A few months ago...)

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Old 12 August 2019, 11:39 AM   #13
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Wow.

I’m falling in love with this. Hodinkee did an amazing article on it.... https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bu...ue-introducing
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Old 12 August 2019, 11:40 AM   #14
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There is a Bulgari boutique in DC, going to go tmrw.
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Old 12 August 2019, 12:07 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by locutus49 View Post
Bulgari is a fashion brand. Cartier is a jewelry store.
You must be thinking of Gucci.

Bulgari is a respected and innovative watch maker.
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Old 12 August 2019, 12:12 PM   #16
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They're certainly innovating and pushing the mechanical envelope more than Patek and AP these days...
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Old 12 August 2019, 12:14 PM   #17
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So it looks like Bulgari has earned my business! I just don’t know if I should buy an Octo Roma for $4k or the Octo Finissimo for $10k if it’s worth it.
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Old 12 August 2019, 01:57 PM   #18
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Get a Finissimo or nothing. Never heard of a Roma and I would guess it is like lighting money on fire. The Finissimo is a different looking piece but really badass. A close friend has the CE Version and loves it. You should push for 20%
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Old 12 August 2019, 03:35 PM   #19
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That new updated octo line looks pretty good. Not sure about the reliability though.
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Old 12 August 2019, 03:45 PM   #20
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I can’t think of anyone who has launched a more interesting high end sport watch recently but when I tried it on it didn’t really impress. Then again I was expecting really high level finishing. For the price, it’s well enough.

New chrono is very impressive!
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Old 12 August 2019, 05:50 PM   #21
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I tried it last week, I was not impressed. I will not consider purchasing one.
It's so light that it doesn't seem robust enough.
Thickness is impressive though.
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Old 12 August 2019, 07:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
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Get a Finissimo or nothing. Never heard of a Roma and I would guess it is like lighting money on fire. The Finissimo is a different looking piece but really badass. A close friend has the CE Version and loves it. You should push for 20%


I second this preference for the Finissimo line...
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Old 12 August 2019, 07:09 PM   #23
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That new updated octo line looks pretty good. Not sure about the reliability though.


Had it for over a year now. No issues. Have used it alternating with another as a daily wear to office and events. Top notch bracelet and time accuracy is as good as it gets. Bulgari have done a good job with this one.
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Old 12 August 2019, 07:10 PM   #24
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Is Bvlgari a respected brand?

Quote:
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I tried it last week, I was not impressed. I will not consider purchasing one.
It's so light that it doesn't seem robust enough.
Thickness is impressive though.
The point of this watch is that it is ultra light and ultra thin...! That’s why Titanium is used through out. It is robust enough for daily office use and such. It is not going to be a submariner though!

You should try the sand blasted gold version for the heft. Surprising combination. Bit too flashy for me but it catches you off guard the first time you hold it. Ultra thin with an nice enough heft to it.
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Old 12 August 2019, 07:12 PM   #25
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You must be thinking of Gucci.

Bulgari is a respected and innovative watch maker.
Yep, I was thinking the same exact thing. Bvlgari is far from a fashion watch brand.
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Old 12 August 2019, 07:16 PM   #26
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Had it for over a year now. No issues. Have used it alternating with another as a daily wear to office and events. Top notch bracelet and time accuracy is as good as it gets. Bulgari have done a good job with this one.


That said. I don’t have a baseline for their Chronograph’s accuracy.
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Old 12 August 2019, 09:18 PM   #27
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The octo line you can’t go wrong



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Old 12 August 2019, 10:12 PM   #28
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I’ve not tried it on yet but I imagine it wears like my Journe aluminum centigraphe...so light it doesn’t feel real
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Old 12 August 2019, 10:51 PM   #29
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I have found no faults with the watch. Wears comfortably, looks great dressed up or down. As I have commented before, has the makings of a classic if Bulgari plays its cards right. Mine is the stainless steel version that has a wonderful white look with its palladium, white gold and rhodium coating. Very different from anything I have ever owned. Tried on the gold version...wow!
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Old 12 August 2019, 11:15 PM   #30
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BVLGARI has always been innovating I remember they used to make the rubber and aluminum scuba chronometer even before Rolex used rubber on a watch. My wedding band is from them 17 years strong. They made it by themselves for many years, that is admirable now I think they belong to LVMH group?
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