Over a weekend with the Bulgari Octo Ultranero, Time+Tide reviewer Andy Green found a watch that became more appealing with wear: it was comfortable on its soft rubber strap, discreet in appearance and easy to pair with casual clothes. The compromise was legibility. Green struggled to read it in strong glare and at night, making the all-black look a real trade-off rather than an unqualified advantage.
What was Green’s weekend experience like?
Green’s personal account, published by Time+Tide on 24 November 2017, describes a watch that grew on him over the course of a long weekend. He found the rubber strap very soft and the watch comfortable, and felt it suited casual clothing. From a distance, its blacked-out appearance looked stealthy; closer up, differences in the materials of the case, hands, indexes and dial gave it more visual depth.
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His view reflects a lifestyle-first way of choosing a watch. As Green put it: “When it comes to watches, I’m very big on buying watches that suit your lifestyle, for the simple reason that if they suit your life, then you’ll get maximum wear out of the piece — and therefore maximum enjoyment.”
How easy is the Octo Ultranero to read?
Legibility is the clearest drawback in Green’s account. He found the dial tricky to read in high glare and poor at night. In a separate hands-on review, Cameron Wong likewise noted that the black hands and indexes could nearly disappear against the black dial unless viewed at a favorable angle. That makes the monochrome design less suitable for anyone who prioritizes quick time checks or reliable low-light reading.
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- For the uncompromising thrill seeker, there is no alternative to this all-new Bulova men’s Oceanographer GMT.
- The perfectly sized 41mm stainless steel case features a grey IP coating, a screw-down crown that provides 200 meters of water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating black-and-white timing bezel. Under the box sapphire crystal, the fully luminescent white dial features a black 24-hours scale and minute markers, applied round luminescent hour markers, and a date display.
- The bold handset features luminescent fill for exceptional low-light legibility, and an independently adjusted hour hand that allows you to quickly set the local time. The Oceanographer GMT is powered by a self-winding GMT movement with 24-jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours, protected by a screw-down caseback.
- Paired perfectly with a fitted gray silicone strap with a rugged three-piece buckle. When you need a timepiece that can go everywhere you want and never fall behind, the men’s Bulova Oceanographer GMT is the only option.
- 200M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
Which Octo Ultranero configuration is it?
“Octo Ultranero” refers to more than one configuration, so specifications should be tied to a reference rather than applied to every watch with the name. Bulgari’s 2016 US brochure lists two distinct 41 mm models:
| Configuration | Reference and case | Dial and functions | Movement and reserve | Water resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solotempo | BGO41BBSPGVD; steel with black DLC treatment and an 18 kt pink-gold bezel | Black lacquered polished dial with pink-gold indexes; time and date | Automatic BVL 193; double barrel; 50-hour power reserve | Up to 100 m |
| Velocissimo | BGO41BBSVDCH; steel with black DLC treatment | Lacquered polished dial; date and column-wheel chronograph | Automatic BVL 328; 5 Hz frequency; 50-hour power reserve | 100 m |
Both catalog descriptions specify a ceramic-set crown, transparent caseback and integrated rubber strap. Bulgari’s 2017 UK brochure corroborates the key specifications and references. The weekend account should not be assumed to describe either catalog reference unless the configuration is independently established.
A separate June 2017 hands-on review identifies an all-black Octo Ultranero as reference 102737 and describes its 41 mm black DLC-treated steel case and low-contrast dial. That reference belongs to Wong’s review context; it should not be treated as interchangeable with the Solotempo or Velocissimo reference codes above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did the Octo Ultranero cost in the 2017 reviews?
Green reported Australian pricing of $9,950 for the watch on rubber in 2017. Wong gave the same Australian price for reference 102737 in June 2017. These are historical prices reported in the reviews, not current offers or present-day valuations.
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Start with the exact reference and configuration: the cataloged Solotempo has a pink-gold bezel, while the cataloged Velocissimo is a chronograph. Then compare the movement and functions, and consider whether the low-contrast dial suits how you intend to use the watch. For a specific watch, verify its condition and current asking price rather than relying on a historical review price. If you are looking for a replacement strap, confirm compatibility with the exact reference; the catalog description of an integrated rubber strap does not establish universal fit.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
