For those people who know well about the famous replica watch brand Bulgari, they should know that the brand has incorporated Gerald Genta, and Daniel Roth (brands it already owned) into the Bulgari brand. If you want to know more about this, you can read all about that and see a video interview with Bulgari talking about it here. The first creation of this digestive affair is this watch. Basically a re-branded Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro, that bears a bit more Bulgari-ness to it. The overall shape and dimensions of the item are the same; however, styling has been “face-lifted” and injected with some of the Bulgari DNA. It feels like the outcome of a crazy scientist combing the DNA of different kinds of animals, actually, I mean replica watch brands. Why must these men play god!? This horological Chimera is without true soul. Soon we will have a multiple choices of “Bvulgenta” and “Daniel Gari” replica Watches all over the world.
Clearly the Gerald Genta style matches better with Bulgari, than does Daniel Roth. I am curious to see what the later blending with Bulgari will result in. Perhaps I will find out shortly when I am at Basel. Back to the novel Octo Bi-Retro Steel Ceramic watch. I have two pictures here of previous Gerald Genta replica watch models. One is a previous Octo Bi-Retro, and other is a Gefica version that shares the same movement. The Gefica line was killer, and I hope that Bulgari maintains it for the most part.
If you look closely that the novel Bulgari replica watch in comparison to the older version you can tell that the design differences are minor. Most remarkable is the ceramic bezel with its “bolts,” dial changes, and the new strap. The new strap is my favorite part frankly. It is a textured rubber made of a segmented style, with a steel folding clasp. The dial design has taken a less art deco theme, and is more Bulgari in tone, while still feels very much the same. Even the hands are the same. I expect future designs to stray a bit more from the Gerald Genta classic design.
It is a good thing that Bulgari remained the Gerald Genta name of the dial (and even indicated the in-house crafted automatic GG7722, aka 7722, movement). I don’t think this dual branding on the dial method is going to last forever, no matter what, at least in the short term both names will be there. Why? Because consumers are going to get very confused, and also because the Gerald Genta name still bears something worthwhile to people – often more than the Bulgari name. In fact, I suspect the name is there to help add value to the design – more so than it would have in clients’ mind than just the Bulgari label.
The replica watch is done in steel and 43mm wide and water resistant to 100 meters. As what I said, the movement is an automatic, and seeable via the sapphire case back window. The studded crown maintains the nifty onyx stone cabochon in it. The Bi-Retro name is inspired from GG7722 movement having two retrograde counters. The replica watch is crafted with a jumping hour complication employing in conjunction with a retrograde minute hand. Therefore, the window positioned closer to 12 o’clock is for the hour, while it is embraced by the retrograde minute scale. The lower retrograde scale is for the date. Generally, I think the design is satisfying. It won’t get current Gerald Genta Octo wearers to trade their items in, while it won’t disappoint future buyers either.
In the future there are going to be many more versions like this. Expect a chronograph model of the Bulgari Octo Bi-Retro, as well as models in different materials. Price for this steel and ceramic edition is going to be very close to the price of the former Gerald Genta version at about $15,000 – $20,000. To be frank, I’m quite fascinated and quite interested in the coming replica watch designs from the company. I believe the coming designs much be some sensational creations that come with crazy DNA mixing experiments.
