World's THINNEST mechanical watch is unveiled: Bulgari's Octo Finissimo Ultra is thinner than a 10p coin – and has an eye-watering £332,700 price tag

 It's known for its luxury jewellery and accessories, and now Bulgari has broken world records with its latest device – a watch that is just 0.07 inches (1.8mm) thick.

The Octo Finissimo Ultra is the world's thinnest mechanical watch and is even thinner than a 10p coin (1.85mm thick).The luxury device's case is crafted from sandblasted titanium, while the back is made from tungsten carbide – a material that's often used to make industrial drillbits.

Unsurprisingly, it comes with a hefty price tag, and will set any eager buyers back a whopping £332,695 ($440,000).

It's known for its luxury jewellery and accessories, and now Bulgari has broken world records with its latest device – a watch that is just 0.07 inches (1.8mm) thick

It's known for its luxury jewellery and accessories, and now Bulgari has broken world records with its latest device – a watch that is just 0.07 inches (1.8mm) thick

The Octo Finissimo Ultra is the world's thinnest mechanical watch and is even thinner than a 10p coin (1.85mm thick)

The Octo Finissimo Ultra is the world's thinnest mechanical watch and is even thinner than a 10p coin (1.85mm thick) 

The luxury device's case is crafted from sandblasted titanium, while the back is made from tungsten carbide – a material that's often used to make industrial drillbits

The luxury device's case is crafted from sandblasted titanium, while the back is made from tungsten carbide – a material that's often used to make industrial drillbits 

The Octo Finissimo Ultra

Total thickness: 0.07 inches (1.8mm)

Case Shape: Octogonal

Functions: Hour-Minute 

Material: Sandblasted titanium and tungsten carbide

Colour: Grey 

Key features: Unique QR code that connects to a NFT and the metaverse 

Price: £332,695 ($400,000) 

Availability: 10 pieces 

Bulgari spent three years developing the watch, which has been unveiled just in time for the 10th anniversary of the Octo range. 

It has overtaken the previous record-holder for thinness – the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept – by 0.007 inches (0.2mm).

Speaking to Watchonista, Antoine Pin, Managing Director of the Bulgari Watch Division, said: 'Can we do it? No sooner was the question asked three years ago than our teams answered: how are we going to do it?

'This ability to meet challenges is embedded in the brand's DNA.

'As for the word "ultra", it expresses this desire to go beyond the limits, to play with extremes, an idea that we love in-house!'

The watch features a monochromatic look, with a titanium strap that is just 0.05 inches (1.5mm) thick.

The octagonal dial itself features the main clock in the top right corner and an open mechanism behind it, as well as a large QR code in the top left.

'A unique QR code offers the ability to connect to a NFT and the metaverse, bridging the mechanical world with that of a digital dimension,' Bulgari said.

Bulgari took out a total of eight patent applications to develop the watch, according to Watchonista.

The octagonal dial itself features the main clock in the top right corner and an open mechanism behind it, as well as a large QR code in the top left

The octagonal dial itself features the main clock in the top right corner and an open mechanism behind it, as well as a large QR code in the top left

The watch features a monochromatic look, with a titanium strap that is just 0.05 inches (1.5mm) thick

This includes patents for rewiring of the watch glass assembly, barrel structure, oscillator module, differential display, modular structure, bracelet, bimetal case, middle-main plate-case back, and the software.

'This fabulous benchmark that we are setting today with the Octo Finissimo Ultra is, in fact, for me and for all the teams an apparently impossible dream come true,' said Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO of Bulgari.

'One that guarantees that Bulgari will forever be recognized as a company that has written some of the finest pages in Swiss watchmaking.

'And the fact that this is an Italian house makes us particularly proud.'

Unsurprisingly, the Octo Finissimo Ultra comes with a hefty price tag of £332,695 ($440,000). And if you want one, you'll have to act fast, with just 10 pieces available in Bulgari's limited edition range

Unsurprisingly, the Octo Finissimo Ultra comes with a hefty price tag of £332,695 ($440,000). And if you want one, you'll have to act fast, with just 10 pieces available in Bulgari's limited edition range

Unsurprisingly, the Octo Finissimo Ultra comes with a hefty price tag of £332,695 ($440,000).

And if you want one, you'll have to act fast, with just 10 pieces available in Bulgari's limited edition range.

The Octo Finissimo Ultra overtook the previous record-holder, the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Watch, which measures 0.078 inches (2mm) thick.

'Measuring a gossamer 2mm, the Altiplano Ultimate Concept served as a stage for numerous Piaget innovations, including a case that formed part of the movement, a unique, integrated winding crown, an ultra-thin crystal and, more importantly, new constructions for the barrel and energy regulation,' Piaget said about the previous record-holder. 

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