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Royal Mohammed Vi spotted wearing Bulgari

Morocco's King Mohammed VI was recently photographed wearing the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton in platinum, reference 102719 — one of the most technically significant ultra-thin tourbillons produced this century. The sighting underlines the Moroccan sovereign's consistent preference for watches that lead with mechanical substance rather than decorative excess.

The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton Ref. 102719 is built around the in-house BVL 268 Finissimo calibre, a hand-wound movement measuring just 1.95mm in thickness. When Bulgari introduced the collection in 2014, that figure set a verified world record for the thinnest mechanical tourbillon movement ever produced. The full watch, housed in a 40mm platinum octagonal case, measures a remarkable 5mm in total height. The skeletonised dial removes all non-essential material to expose the tourbillon cage at six o'clock and the gear train across an open chapter ring, with blued hands providing the only chromatic relief against the metallic architecture beneath.

The Octo Finissimo line has become one of the most collector-relevant launches of the 2010s. Bulgari used it aggressively to reposition the brand within serious horological circles, following each successive record-setting release — tourbillon, perpetual calendar, minute repeater — with documented Guinness certifications. The platinum tourbillon skeleton sits at the apex of that programme. Its combination of a precious-metal case, flying tourbillon, and sub-2mm movement places it in direct conversation with grande complication pieces from Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Söhne, but at a more restrained case diameter.

King Mohammed VI, who has ruled Morocco since 1999, is an occasionally photographed watch collector whose wrist has previously shown Patek Philippe complications and other high-end references. His choice of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton Ref. 102719 in platinum signals a collector who follows movement architecture rather than brand prestige alone.

At a UK list price of approximately £110,000, the platinum Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton Ref. 102719 is positioned well within grand complication territory. On the secondary market, platinum examples have traded close to or slightly above retail, reflecting limited production volumes and sustained demand from collectors who recognised the Octo Finissimo's record-breaking credentials early.