Thanks to its 4 gongs, the Bvlgari Octo Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon is capable of playing the tune of Big Ben (Westminster/London). This authentic masterpiece can also perform two major audible functions: the Grande Sonnerie (grand strike) and Petite Sonnerie (small strike).
In Grande Sonnerie mode, the mechanism strikes the hours, and then repeaters the hour each time it is preparing to strike the following quarters – first, second and third – just like a clock tower bell. This striking mode known as “in passing” operates automatically, without any intervention by the owner of the watch. Meanwhile, the Petite Sonnerie mode also sounds the hour and the first, second and third quarters in passing. One may of course also opt for the silence mode.
And finally, the Repeater mode indicates the time whenever the wearer wishes by activating the repeater slide which triggers the striking mechanism. This mode is referred to as “on demand”. The right-hand side (between 1 and 5 o’clock) of the dial with its alternating black lacquered, cloisonné segments, carries the strike/silent, striking-mechanism power reserve, time-indication power reserve and strike-mode selector (Grande/Petite Sonnerie) indications.
It also accommodates the minute disc. Its left-hand side displays a retrograde hours indication. The white gold case is adorned with two beaded crowns serving to adjust the time functions (at 3 o’clock) and to activate the striking mechanism (at 9 o’clock).
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