Actor Tom Hardy spotted wearing a Bulgari

At the 88th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on February 28, 2016, Tom Hardy was photographed taking a selfie on the red carpet, his right wrist revealing a substantial Bulgari chronograph in rose gold. The chunky, multi-faceted case and integrated rose gold bracelet are unmistakable identifiers of the Bulgari Octo Maserati Chronograph family — a model introduced as part of Bulgari's partnership with the Italian automaker and wearing its architectural geometry with considerable confidence.

The Octo Maserati Chronograph is built around the Calibre BVL 328, a column-wheel flyback chronograph movement with a 42-hour power reserve, oscillating at 28,800 vph. The case architecture — designed by Gerald Genta's legacy studio, now absorbed within Bulgari — features a stacking of octagonal forms that give the watch its distinctive, almost sculptural profile. In rose gold, the ref. BGO41PGLDCH measures 41mm and offers a depth rating of 100 metres, with a skeletonised or semi-open dial typical of the Maserati edition, allowing partial visibility of the movement below.

From a collector's standpoint, the Octo Maserati occupies interesting territory. It carries Gerald Genta's DNA — the same mind behind the Royal Oak and Nautilus — yet remains underappreciated relative to those icons. That gap has begun to close as the broader Octo family, particularly after the Octo Finissimo records, has drawn serious collector attention back to the entire Octo lineage.

Hardy, nominated that evening for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Revenant,' is known for considered, often unconventional personal style. Choosing a Bulgari over the default Rolex or Patek Philippe on Hollywood's biggest night signals genuine horological preference rather than a styling team's safe default. The rose gold variant in particular suits his aesthetic — warm metal tones, bold proportions, Italian craftsmanship over Swiss orthodoxy.

At retail, the Bulgari Octo Maserati Chronograph in rose gold listed in the mid-to-upper thirties (USD) at launch. On the secondary market, examples trade at slight discounts to retail, representing reasonable value for a genuine flyback chronograph with Genta lineage and a noble metal case.