Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani: Pushing the Boundaries of Watchmaking
Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, the director of the Bulgari Watches Design Center, has been with the maison for over 23 years. He has been the mastermind behind many outstanding pieces, including the exceptionally thin watch Octo Finissimo. In this exclusive interview, Buonamassa Stigliani shares his insights on the watchmaking industry, the creative process, and his Italian roots.
The Influence of Mechanics on Watchmaking
Buonamassa Stigliani’s background in mechanics has had a significant influence on his approach to watchmaking. He believes that the two worlds are similar on many levels, yet so different. However, he definitely brought his love for mechanics and beauty into watchmaking. In his opinion, you find the same Italian approach to both industries.
The Creative Process
Buonamassa Stigliani never really knows where the creative process starts—he is always inspired by many things, so it always depends. That’s how he starts, and then he begins drawing and sketching with ballpoint pens, fountain pens, or on the iPad. Step by step, he starts to imagine the product in his head, then he imagines the customer who wants to use and wear it. He sees if it’s coherent with the brand and its image, and if through this product they can add value to the brand, compared to what they already have. It’s hard to explain because it’s one of the most mysterious things in the world. You need something, and that’s why you try to find the idea.
Special Projects and Milestones
The product that has a special place in Buonamassa Stigliani’s heart is the first Bulgari product he worked on when he arrived at the company: the Serpenti Tubogas and Octo Finissimo. These two products totally changed the brand. It was an opportunity to give the brand an identity and change the perception of the brand for watch collectors.
Challenges in Developing a Bulgari Watch
There are a lot of challenges when developing a Bulgari watch. We’re talking about techniques, aesthetics, typologies. Everything is different. High-end watches have a challenge in terms of stones and flexibility. The Octo Finissimo’s challenge is thickness. The challenge for complication watches is to combine the aesthetics and techniques at the same time. Every project is different.
Italian Roots in the Creative Process
Buonamassa Stigliani’s Italian roots are reflected in the creative process in every possible sense; aesthetics, proportion, color sense, creative typology, and design.
The Highlight of Watches & Wonders 2023
The highlight of this year’s Watches & Wonders edition is the Octo Finissimo Ultra Cosc and the first collaboration with Tadao Ando for our Serpenti line by Jeannine Yazbeck.
