Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Giancarlo Giammetti spotted wearing Bulgari

Giancarlo Giammetti was recently spotted wearing the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in sandblasted steel, reference 103011 — a watch that continues to build one of the most compelling cases in contemporary horology for recognition alongside the great Gerald Genta-designed icons.

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Ref. 103011 houses the calibre BVL 138, a self-winding movement measuring just 2.23mm in height. The complete watch comes in at 5.15mm thick — figures that, when the model was introduced, broke the world record for the thinnest automatic wristwatch. The 40mm sandblasted steel case gives the reference a satin, non-reflective surface character that contrasts with the sharper, architectural lines of the Octo case geometry, itself a Genta-era design that Bulgari has developed into a full contemporary collection. Power reserve stands at 60 hours, and the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback.

From a collector standpoint, the Octo Finissimo line occupies a position few modern watches have managed to claim so quickly. It is technically credible — the record-breaking dimensions are independently verifiable — and aesthetically coherent, rooted in design language that predates any current trend cycle. The sandblasted steel variant in particular appeals to collectors who prioritise wearability and discretion over flash; the matte finish ages gracefully and reads as a considered choice rather than a default one. Within the broader Octo Finissimo family, which includes ultra-thin tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater variants, the automatic remains the accessible and arguably purest expression of the concept.

Giancarlo Giammetti, the entrepreneur and co-founder of Maison Valentino, has long been noted by watch observers as a genuine enthusiast. His public appearances alongside Valentino Garavani have produced a consistent record of thoughtful wrist choices, and the Octo Finissimo Ref. 103011 fits the profile of a collector who understands both design history and mechanical substance.

At retail, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic in sandblasted steel carries a list price in the mid-to-upper range of its steel sports-watch peers. On the secondary market, demand has remained firm, with grey-market pricing tracking close to or at retail — a sign of a reference that has found its audience without the speculative inflation that distorts other contemporary steel sports watches.