Photo courtesy of Daniele Venturelli

At the 71st Venice Film Festival, Al Pacino was photographed wearing a steel Bulgari Octo Velocissimo. The name of the watch “Velocissimo” is not just cool marketing. Bulgari’s chronograph has an automatic movement, Calibre BVL 328, running at a higher frequency than usual, 36,000 vibrations per hour, ensuring precision for the classic chronograph functions. The chronograph movement is of the column-wheel type, with silicium escapement, and a 50-hour power reserve. Chronograph readings are shown by the central-sweep seconds hand, and two of the three subdials, for minutes and hours. The third subdial, at 9 o’clock, shows small seconds. There is a small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Al Pacino was wearing the steel version with alligator strap: there are two other versions, in 18-carat pink gold with alligator strap, and in steel with a steel bracelet. The case is 41.5 mm in diameter and 13 mm thick.

It is above all the case that reveals just how sophisticated Bulgari has become as a vertically-integrated watch manufacturer. It has a large number of facets, to the point that it resembles the Stealth aircraft aesthetic. The pushers on either side of the crown are carefully incorporated into this design and so are far less obtrusive than the pistons of most chronograph watches.

The price of the steel version with alligator bracelet is about €8,200.

Read about the Bulgari Finissimo tourbillon watch, another 2014 highlight, here.