Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBulgari’s 40 mm Octo Finissimo Automatic comes in two versions that look like siblings on paper: satin-polished stainless steel with a black matte dial (reference 103297) and sandblasted 18 kt yellow gold with a gold dial (reference 104190). Size, movement, power reserve and water resistance are listed identically. What changes is the metal, the dial and the price: Bulgari’s U.S. site showed $14,100 for the steel watch and $51,000 for the gold one in 2026.
A note on method: this piece compares Bulgari’s published specifications for the two references. It does not report wrist impressions, and it doesn’t claim to. Comfort, weight feel and how the finishes behave in light are things to judge in person, and the final section lists what to check.
Side-by-side specifications
All figures below are Bulgari’s own, from its official U.S. product pages for each reference, retrieved in 2026. They are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements.
| Spec | Steel, ref. 103297 | Yellow gold, ref. 104190 |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Satin-polished stainless steel | Sandblasted 18 kt yellow gold |
| Diameter | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Thickness | 6.40 mm | 6.40 mm |
| Dial | Black matte | Gold |
| Bracelet | Integrated steel | Integrated 18 kt yellow gold |
| Movement | BVL 138 automatic manufacture, platinum microrotor, small seconds | BVL 138 automatic |
| Power reserve | 60 hours | 60 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Case back | Transparent | Not stated on the page summary |
| U.S. price displayed on Bulgari’s site (2026) | $14,100 | $51,000 |
What is the same
- Proportions. Both are listed at 40 mm across and 6.40 mm thick. Those are the numbers that give the Octo Finissimo its slim, angular profile, and they don’t change with the metal.
- Movement. Both use the BVL 138 automatic with a 60-hour reserve. Bulgari describes the steel version’s movement as having a platinum microrotor and small seconds; the gold page names the same caliber.
- Everyday durability rating. Both are rated to 100 m.
What is different
Metal and finish
The steel watch is described as satin-polished; the gold one as sandblasted. Bulgari uses the word “innovative” for the steel finishes in its own copy, calling the watch “a true icon of the 21st century” that fuses “edgy Italian design and Swiss engineering.” That is promotional language, not an evaluation. The practical point is that the two finishes are different treatments, so the surfaces will read differently under light, and gold, as a softer metal than steel, is generally more prone to visible marking. Bulgari’s pages don’t make claims about scratch behavior, so that remains something to inspect.
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- Powered by the Orient In-House F6B24 Automatic / Hand-Winding / Hacking Movement
- Case Diameter: 41.5 Case Thickness: 14.2mm Lug Width: 21mm Lug to Lug Length: 47mm
- Domed Mineral Crystal
- 24-Hour Sun and Moon and Moon Subdial
- Water resistant to 30m (100ft): in general, withstands splashes or brief immersion in water, but not suitable for swimming or bathing
Dial and overall look
The steel reference pairs a black matte dial with a steel bracelet, a cool, monochrome look. The gold reference uses a gold dial on a gold bracelet, so the entire watch is one warm tone. Legibility in varied lighting isn’t addressed by the listings.
Price
The displayed gap is $36,900, with the gold watch about 3.6 times the steel price. Gold content accounts for some of that, but the listings give no breakdown, so it would be wrong to attribute the whole difference to material. Prices are market-specific and change; confirm the current figure with Bulgari or an authorized retailer in your country.
Rank #2
- Powered by the Orient In-House F6B24 Automatic / Hand-Winding / Hacking Movement
- Case Diameter: 41.5 Case Thickness: 14.2mm Lug Width: 21mm Lug to Lug Length: 47mm
- Domed Mineral Crystal
- 24-Hour Sun and Moon and Moon Subdial
- Water resistant to 30m (100ft): in general, withstands splashes or brief immersion in water, but not suitable for swimming or bathing
Which one suits which buyer
- Choose steel (103297) if you want the Octo Finissimo design, the same movement and the same 100 m rating at the lower entry price, and a lower-key look that suits daily wear.
- Choose yellow gold (104190) if the precious-metal presence, the all-gold monochrome look and the 18 kt construction are the point, and the roughly $37,000 premium is acceptable for that.
Since nothing mechanical or dimensional separates them on paper, the choice comes down to material, look and budget rather than capability.
Newer context: the 37 mm Octo Finissimo
Bulgari’s Watches & Wonders Geneva 2026 page presents a 37 mm Octo Finissimo, including a yellow-gold edition, and says the collection debuted in 2014. It describes the new line as having redesigned proportions and a 72-hour reserve. That is a separate model from the two 40 mm references here. If you prefer a smaller watch or the longer reserve, it’s worth comparing before you decide.
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Rank #3
- Round watch featuring corrugated unidirectional bezel, luminous hands/markers, and magnified date window at 3 o'clock
- 40 mm, Length: 210mm, 23k gold-plated stainless steel case with mineral dial window. Movement Caliber: NH35A
- Japanese automatic movement with analog display
- Gold & Stainless steel tone bracelet with foldover clasp with safety closure
- Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving.
What to check in person
Several things that matter most for this purchase aren’t in any specification sheet:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powered by the Orient In-House F6B24 Automatic / Hand-Winding / Hacking Movement
- Case Diameter: 41.5 Case Thickness: 14.2mm Lug Width: 21mm Lug to Lug Length: 47mm
- Domed Mineral Crystal
- 24-Hour Sun and Moon and Moon Subdial
- Water resistant to 30m (100ft): in general, withstands splashes or brief immersion in water, but not suitable for swimming or bathing
Rank #4
- From the Bulova Men's Classic Collection, inspired by vintage design, our classic watches achieve a tailored, understated look that's always in style.
- 3 Hand, Automatic, Hack Feature
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Mineral Crystal
- 30M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
- How the 40 mm, 6.40 mm case sits on your wrist, and how the angular lugs and integrated bracelet meet it.
- Perceived weight of the gold versus steel bracelet over a full day.
- Bracelet articulation and clasp operation.
- How satin-polished steel and sandblasted gold look in daylight, shade and artificial light.
- Whether the black matte or gold dial gives you the legibility you want.
- Exact reference number, warranty and seller status, particularly if buying outside Bulgari’s own channels.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
