Renowned for its collection of exquisite high jewelry, Bulgari has also been manufacturing watches for most of its history. However, during the first half of the 20th Century, Bulgari timepieces were predominately jewelry watches for ladies. In 1975, the company released the first limited edition Bulgari Roma watch, which paved the way for the brand’s entry as an assertive player in the watch industry. For the next three decades, Bulgari released a bevy of popular and fashionable watches for both men and women. In the 2000s, Bulgari pivoted to become a true watch manufacture by establishing a network of factories to make watch cases, dials, bracelets, and movements in-house. Since then, Bulgari has continuously impressed with new watch models, record-breaking ultra-slim timepieces, and a slew of complications. Here is a guide to some of the most popular Bulgari watch models right now.

Launched in 1977, the BVLGARI BVLGARI timepiece has been one of the most popular and recognizable Bulgari watch models for the last four decades. The watch’s defining characteristic has always been its bezel engraved with a double logo, which was inspired by ancient Roman coins where emperors’ images were surrounded by words of power and prestige. Furthermore, the round cases of BVLGARI BVLGARI watches echo the cylindrical columns of ancient Rome.

Over the years, the BVLGARI BVLGARI collection has offered a wide range of watches for men and women in various sizes, metals, colors, and functions. The current BVLGARI BVLGARI watches for men feature 41mm cases and run on in-house automatic movements. Case material options include stainless steel, bronze, DLC coating, and gold while the dials are characteristically straightforward with stick hour markers, Arabic numerals at 6 and 12, and a date window at 3 o’clock.

In 2012, Bulgari introduced the new Octo watch collection, which has now branched off into several sub-collections. The maiden model is now called Octo L'Originale and it features a distinct octagonal case and round bezel design inspired by the 310 AD Roman Massentius Basilica. Despite drawing inspiration from ancient times, the Octo L'Originale is a thoroughly modern timepiece powered by in-house automatic movements.

Bulgari offers the Octo L'Originale in a variety of materials including stainless steel, titanium, gold, DLC coated, and two-tone combinations. In true Bulgari fashion, there are of course some extravagant high-jewelry Octo L'Originale options lavishly set with diamonds and other precious gems. 

What’s more, there’s the option between integrated bracelets, leather bands, or rubber straps. Finally, there are several versions of the Octo L'Originale including time and date, chronograph, and jumping hours and retrograde minutes.

Not only is Octo Finissimo Bulgari’s collection of ultra-thin watches but the range is in fact home to several record-breaking timepieces. The collection made its debut in 2014 when Bulgari launched the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon as the thinnest tourbillon ever created. More record-breaking ultra-slim models soon followed: Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in 2016, Octo Finissimo Automatique in 2017, Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic in 2018, and Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic in 2019. 

All of these slim watches, which range from under 4mm to under 7mm thin depending on the complication, are fitted with ultra-slim movements made by Bulgari. 

Although lightweight titanium, from angular case to faceted dial to integrated bracelet, is the flagship metal of the Octo Finissimo collection, Bulgari does offer the watches in other case materials like sandblasted ceramic and gold and the option of leather straps too. Thanks to their appealing designs and incredible slimness, Octo Finissimo watches are some of the most admired and popular Bulgari watch models ever made.

The newest iteration of the famed Bulgari octagonal watch comes in the form of the Octo Roma model, released in 2017. While the Octo Roma shares most design traits with the Octo L'Originale, its 58-facet case is topped with a rounded eight-sided bezel instead of a circular one.

The 41mm cases are available in stainless steel, rose gold, or a two-tone mix of steel and gold. The clean and legible dials feature the familiar stick indexes punctuated by Arabic numerals at six and noon, along with a date aperture at three. Whether on a leather strap or a metal integrated bracelet, these contemporarily designed automatic time and date Bulgari watches for men will no doubt become a flagship model for the brand.

From the enduring BVLGARI BVLGARI collection to the ultra-modern Octo lineup, Bulgari offers a fantastic range of watches for men. Handsome designs coupled with in-house made mechanical movements have allowed Bulgari watches to become some of the most popular luxury watches available today.

Check the official Bulgari site for more information here.