Skeletonised Symphony: Presenting the Gübelin x Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Special Edition

Bvlgari has joined forces with Gübelin, a leading high jewellery and luxury watch retailer, to create a 20-piece limited-edition novelty, Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days (Ref. 104131). The just-released variant is more than just a watch; it is a tribute to transparency, complexity, and beauty, both inside and out.

With this release, Bvlgari joins a growing number of luxury watch brands that have begun crafting exclusive timepieces for their retail partners. It’s a strategic move that blends marketing finesse with collector appeal. These retailer-specific editions often feature subtle design tweaks, unique colourways or limited production runs, making them highly desirable among enthusiasts and connoisseurs. By partnering with influential retailers, brands not only reinforce their presence in key markets but also create a sense of rarity and prestige around the buying experience. For retailers, such collaborations offer a competitive edge, drawing clientele through exclusivity and narrative-driven products. It’s a mutually beneficial approach that elevates both the brand and the storefront, while turning boutiques into destinations for discovery in an increasingly globalised watch market. 

Nestled in the heart of Lucerne, Gübelin as a retailer has quietly shaped the narrative of Swiss luxury since 1854. What began as a small watchmaker’s atelier founded by Mauritz Gübelin has grown into a name that commands global respect across haute horlogerie, high jewellery, and gemology. Unlike many of its peers, Gübelin's story isn’t solely about opulence — it’s about precision, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the inner world of gems, values that are in harmony with Bvlgari’s watchmaking principles and reflected in the latest Octo Finissimo iteration. 

As a horological role model, Bvlgari Octo Finissimo has evolved remarkably over the years, becoming a benchmark of modern haute horlogerie. The new Gübelin Special Edition has gone for a lightweight yet resilient titanium material with a monochromatic look. The 40 mm timepiece has an octagonal case, a round bezel, and an octagonal inner bezel with a sandblasted titanium crown set with a black ceramic insert at 3 o’clock. The openworked dial has grey bridges, a barrel between 12 o’clock and 2 o’clock, and a small seconds counter with a spoked wheel. A power reserve indicator can be seen at 7:30. The outer periphery of the dial has a grey minute track with white markings. The hour markers, the hour, minute hands, and the seconds hand sport blue accents. 

Powering the watch is a manual wound Calibre BVL 199SK with an eight-day or a 192-hour power reserve. Turning the watch showcases the flat sapphire on the caseback with eight screws; on it, the words “Gübelin Special Edition” are etched in blue. The lightweight integrated sandblasted titanium bracelet is closed by a triple-blade folding clasp. The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days is available exclusively at Gübelin.