2021 Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando

by Pratik Shah

Tadao Ando is known for creating architecture marvels with his designs and he has done something similar with Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando limited series watch. Limited to 160 pieces, Bvlgari and the Japanese architect Tadao Ando have attempted to interpret time in the most refined way possible. 

Tadao Ando has used cement and glass with creative use of light in the designs thought his career. These three elements are common thread running through his architectural work. Tadao Ando’s work is now part of contemporary architectural history. Among his major achievements are the Church of Light in Osaka, the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth (Texas) and the 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo. After a first Octo Finissimo limited series jointly created by Bvlgari and Tadao Ando, in which the architect – impressed by Octo Finissimo pure shape – expressed time by means of a spiral engraved on the dial, a symbol of the black hole from where time is born, this second special edition picks up this theme dear to the Japanese construction specialist and based on the Mikazuki concept (三日月). While the theme of time remains central, this new model embodies a different approach.

Mikazuki represents the crescent moon, which is the first stage of the next moon that will in due course become full. This evolution symbolises the transitory nature of time, with the shadow of the earth partially masking the moon to reveal only a crescent. The watch is very minimalistic but elegant which is the underlying design language of Tadao Andos’ creations. The Tadao Ando limited edition takes a minimalist approach to the theme of time on the deep blue lacquered. The time spiral is born and uncoils from the base of the seconds hand, while the gold crescent moon is positioned at 5 o’clock. In two essential graphic elements, Tadao Ando expresses his vision of time on a watch made from black ceramic and featuring a transparent caseback bearing the architect’s signature.

The watch houses Bvlgari’s ultra-thin Calibre BVL 138 with micro-rotor, hours, minutes, and small seconds. The case is black sandblasted ceramic with a display case back. The case back has Tadao Ando laser engrave signature. The dial is blue lacquered with spatial pattern and yellow gold moon. 

Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando Specification:

  • Case: 40 mm diameter
  • Material: Black sandblasted ceramic case, bezel, and crown
  • Dial: Blue lacquered dial with special pattern and yellow gold crescent moon
  • Movement: Mechanical automatic Manufacture ultra-thin Calibre BVL 138
  • Bracelet: Black sandblasted ceramic bracelet with ceramic triple-blade folding clasp

Availability: Now, Limited to 160 Pieces worldwide

International Pricing: 18,100 USD

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