Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Alexandre Pato spotted wearing Bulgari

Alexandre Pato was photographed wearing a titanium Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatique, reference 103011 — a watch that sits at the intersection of haute horlogerie engineering and contemporary design. The sighting, shared via Pato's own social media, puts one of Italian watchmaking's most talked-about references squarely on the wrist of one of Brazil's most recognisable footballers.

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatique Ref. 103011 houses the in-house BVL 138 calibre, which at its debut in 2017 claimed the world record for the thinnest automatic movement ever made, measuring just 2.23mm. The full watch — case, movement, and sapphire crystal combined — achieves a total thickness of 5.15mm across a 40mm grade 5 titanium case. The octagonal bezel, designed by Fabrizio Buonamassa Picone, references the Octo's architectural DNA first established in 2012, while the sandblasted titanium finish gives the ref. 103011 a deliberately understated, almost industrial character.

For collectors, the Octo Finissimo line represents Bulgari's most serious statement in the ultra-thin space — a category long dominated by Piaget and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The titanium references, including the 103011, consistently earn respect on collector forums for their combination of lightness, wearability, and genuine movement credentials. The record-breaking BVL 138 is no novelty; it offers 60 hours of power reserve and a 28,800 vph beat rate, delivering real-world reliability alongside its headline specification.

Pato, 34, has worn several high-end timepieces publicly over the years, reflecting a taste for technically sophisticated watches rather than purely logo-driven choices. His selection of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatique in titanium — rather than the more ostentatious gold or ceramic versions — suggests a considered preference for understated engineering over flash, consistent with the ref. 103011's character.

On the market, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatique Ref. 103011 carries a list price of approximately €13,500. On the grey market, demand for titanium Octo Finissimo references has remained steady, with pre-owned examples trading close to or slightly below retail — a sign of healthy, sustainable desirability rather than speculative heat.