The Golden Touch: A Roundup of Gold Watches

Precious metals like gold and occasionally platinum used to be the standard for timepieces. It wasn’t until relatively recently that stainless steel became the material of choice for the wristwatch. Stainless steel really began growing in popularity in the 1970s in conjunction with the advent of the luxury sport watch. Today, it remains a favorite among many makers and enthusiasts. However, there’s still something undeniably alluring about precious metals. It might be because they’re rooted in tradition of watchmaking. Maybe it’s because they’re available in a wider variety of hues. Or perhaps there’s just something more luxurious about precious metals. No matter why you find yourself drawn to a gold option, now’s the perfect time of year to indulge. A gold watch is ideal for more formal occasions, like a work function or holiday party. Here, we’ve selected some of our favorite gold watches to entice and inspire you.

Rolex Daytona

When you consider the Rolex Daytona, you most likely think of sport watches or racing chronographs. You certainly wouldn’t be wrong. The Daytona was a favorite of racing legend Paul Newman. However, over the years, the Daytona has evolved, crossing over into the luxury sport watch category. With that has come the addition of precious metals into the line. This 18-karat rose gold iteration of the classic Daytona is quite striking. With contrasting black subdials and accents, it gives the model a totally new look and feel. At the end of the day, the Daytona Everose opens up a whole new world to what a gold watch can be.

OMEGA De Ville Prestige

OMEGA first launched the De Ville collection as a subset of the Seamaster in the early 1960’s. By 1967, the brand had decided to make the De Ville its own permanent fixture of the catalog. In the years to come, the De Ville would get some of its own subseries. One of these is the Prestige. The model pays tribute to the essence of the original De Ville with an understated and timeless dial layout. One might think of a gold watch as being bold or gaudy, but the Prestige is quite the opposite. It truly embodies the spirit of a classic dress watch that lays subtly beneath the cuff. Inside, the model is equally adept with OMEGA’s historically significant Co-Axial Caliber 2500 movement.

Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin

The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin is one handsome option for an entry-level gold watch. Every element of this model is completely timeless. It features a modest, 37mm case construction that will never go out of style. In addition, it showcases a sleek and understated yet sophisticated time-only design. Yet, inside is where the Saxonia Thin really shines. Here, you’ll find the brand’s in-house Caliber L093.1 hand-winding mechanical movement. You can marvel at it through the exhibition caseback. This model is truly the ultimate gold dress watch.

Ball Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty

In 1891, two trains collided at a depot in Ohio because of an engineer’s slow watch. In response, the railroad enlisted the help of a local watchmaker named Webb C. Ball to help with their timekeeping. 120 years later, Ball created the Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty to commemorate over a century of dedication to accurate timekeeping. The model clearly honors the brand’s history. It’s apparent through elements like their signature micro gas tubes, which offer enhanced visibility in dark conditions. In addition, you get classic dress watch styling with a minimalist dial design and, of course, a rose gold case.

Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual Calendar

When we think of gold watches, we often call to mind dress watches. Dress watches are typically simple, refined, and time only. The Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual Calendar offers a handsome alternative to the typical gold watch. With design cues from dress watches and the functionality of a perpetual calendar and second time zone, this model is the ultimate watch for the business traveler. In addition to the gold construction, Ulysse Nardin provides other touches of elegance, like the black guilloche textured dial. Inside, you’ll find the watch equally impressive with the brand’s Caliber UN-32 self-winding mechanical movement.

Baume & Mercier Classima Retro Limited Edition

Baume & Mercier’s Classima represents the brand’s entry-level range of dress watches. The collection draws inspiration from the iconic designs of the 1960s for a distinctly retro look and feel. However, with this limited edition chronograph variation, the Classima get some upgrades that set it apart from your average dress watch. Baume & Mercier created this special variation in celebration of the brand’s monumental 175^th anniversary in 2005. The addition of the chronograph complication makes the model equal parts fashion and function.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Part of the allure of the original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was its stainless steel design. However, in the years to come, the brand would embrace the luxury aspect of this luxury sport watch with the addition of precious metals. This variation maintains the essence of the iconic Royal Oak with the added warmth of rose gold. This in combination with the black dial gives the model an undeniable richness. Still, the watch maintains sporty touches. These include elements like the tricompax layout of the registers and iconic exposed screws around the hexagonal bezel. The result is the perfect balance of ruggedness and elegance.

Breguet Heritage

Breguet is a brand that deeply honors tradition, down to their typical use of round case designs. With the Heritage, the brand offers a more unique option in a striking gold tonneau shaped case. This design element may be a bit of a departure for the brand. However, we still get a number of stylings that are unmistakably Breguet. With the Heritage, there’s the modest sizing of a classic dress watch at just 28.5mm. Of course, the dial wouldn’t be complete without the iconic Breguet hands.

Rolex Day-Date President

If there’s one model that’s become synonymous with gold, it’s the Rolex Day-Date President. This watch is known and loved for its commanding, all-gold construction from the case to the bracelet. The President is perhaps the ultimate gold watch, having become iconic for its presence on the wrist and famous wearers. However, Rolex gives the model a unique twist from the classic yellow gold with a more contemporary rose gold. With an equally distinctive brown dial, this iteration of the President is a bit warmer and more inviting. Yet, it’s still just as powerful as the original.

Bell & Ross Marine

Not all gold watches are dress watches. In fact, finding a gold dive watch is pretty rare. Enter the Bell & Ross Marine. The brand’s BR02 dive watch came on the coattails of their popular BR01 pilot watch. Here, Bell & Ross creates a totally unique approach to the dive category with a tonneau shaped case. For another sporty touch, the brand adds PVD coating and exposed screws to the case. In this model, the 18-karat rose gold comes in as an accent on the bezel, hour markers, and crown guards. Bell & Ross tops the model off with a rugged Nylon strap. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind gold watch.