[Interview] Antoine Pin, Managing Director of the Bvlgari Group Watch Division

At the Geneva Watch Days held at the end of August, Bulgari introduced the new Serpenti with Bulgari Bulgari in black, as well as two collaboration models and a new Octo Finissimo.

We have achieved vertical integration through a long process of transformation.

Antoine Pin
Managing Director of the Bvlgari Group's Watch Division. Born in France and graduated from HEC Paris, he began his career at TAG Heuer in 1994. After working as a product manager, he joined Boucheron in 1998. In 2002, he moved to Zenith, part of the LVMH Group, where he was appointed Managing Director of LVMH Watches & Jewelry UK and General Manager of TAG Heuer Japan and Korea. In 2014, he was appointed Managing Director of Bvlgari China. He has held his current position since September 2019.

"Following this year's special pieces, today I would like to introduce a more classic collection. What they all have in common is their preciousness," says Antoine Pin, Managing Director of the Bvlgari Group Watch Division.

"The Octo Finissimo, with its satin-finished gold case and bracelet and chocolate-colored dial, has a different vibe from the existing collection. The chronograph has the same characteristics, personality, and is water resistant to 100m. And it's an 8-day skeleton." You might think it's a completely new movement, but in fact it's not.

"This is an improved version of the Octo Finissimo caliber. It also symbolizes the philosophy for the future development of Octo Finissimo. The power reserve has been increased by approximately three times, but the barrel size has remained almost unchanged. The power reserve has been extended by changing the length of the mainspring and the going train." But wasn't Bulgari planning to end the Octo Finissimo saga?

"We intend to continue creating and improving the Octo Finissimo, and the new Octo Finissimo Skeleton Eight Days is proof of that." So, will they attempt to break the world's thinnest record, which was broken by Richard Mille?

"We've set world records, the saga of being the thinnest in the world. So, are we going to try and challenge that? My personal opinion aside, it's not a top priority. So, I'll say maybe yes, maybe no. But I hope we have something to show."

　His confidence is based on the success of vertical integration, which he has been working on for many years.

"The Octo collection was launched 10 years ago. We used to be known as an Italian jewellery manufacturer, but now we're a full-fledged watchmaker. We've been vertically integrated through the acquisition of case and bracelet makers, Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta. It's been a long, long transformation. We have over 100 years of history as a jewellery manufacturer, and 50 years of history in watches. Finally, the two have come together in harmony, allowing us to do a lot of different things."