If you’re interested in watches, chances are there will come a time when you are looking to buy a precious metal timepiece. That moment arrives at a different time for everyone, and obviously depends somewhat on your budget. That said, buying a gold watch doesn’t always have to break the bank, unlike some popular steel watches. I didn’t end up buying a gold timepiece until my 40th birthday, but after putting it on my wrist, I wondered why I had waited so long.
Gold watches come in a wide variety of styles and depending on the color, some could even be described as modest. Classic 18k yellow gold is the easiest precious metal to spot, whereas a white gold watch could be mistaken for a stainless steel model. I recently had a Hublot in my hands with a case made of so-called “Magic Gold.”
Magic Gold, a gold and ceramic mixture, is positively iridescent and changes colors depending on the light. It is beautiful and not instantly recognizable as gold. Speaking of special gold alloys, Omega recently launched a watch in so-called Moonshine gold, which has a slightly less yellowish hue. Of course, there are many more gold varieties out there, and one that is enjoying a surge in popularity right now is rose gold.
What is rose gold?
Most gold alloys contain copper and silver. Rose gold gets its pinkish tone from its higher copper content. The higher the proportion of copper to silver, the deeper the pink or red hue. Technically speaking, red, rose, and pink gold are quite similar. However, there are some differences. Red gold has the highest amount of copper at 75% gold, 25% copper, and 0% silver. Rose gold generally contains 75% yellow gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver. Pink gold, on the other hand, typically has 20% copper and 5% silver. In the end, it’s just a matter of percentages; as long as there is 75% gold, the alloy is considered 18-karat.
Rose gold’s rise in popularity transcends the watch industry. From fashion and iPhones to cars and athletic shoes, the distinct color has been adopted by many brands. Rose gold is undoubtedly having a moment – it’s even been dubbed “millennial pink.”
What watches are available in rose gold?
Alternatives to yellow gold have always been popular, and that’s unlikely to change. Just like the use of different colors for dials and straps, it simply creates more choice for consumers. As mentioned, I bought my first gold watch just after I turned 40, and it brought a huge smile to my face. When I added one in Moonshine gold, that smile only got bigger. I could definitely imagine having one in rose gold at some point. Of course, that naturally raises the question: Which one?
At the moment, I have my eye on a yellow gold timepiece. In this case, yellow gold is simply closer to the original model. That said, if I look at what I like in general and if money were no object, my list gets a lot longer.
Rolex GMT-Master II Everose
If I had to pick one two-tone rose gold watch, it would be the Rolex GMT-Master II, ref. 126711CHNR. The original version in stainless steel and yellow gold goes by the nickname “Root Beer.” However, the more recent edition introduced in 2018 comes in a combination of stainless steel and Everose gold with a black and brown bezel. I would have loved to see this watch with a matching brown sunburst dial, but it’s still stunning with its solid black dial.
You might be thinking to yourself, “Why are we talking about Everose gold?” As you may have noticed, many watch brands create their own proprietary alloys and give them unique names. The Rolex version is called Everose gold. Technically speaking, it’s not that different from standard rose gold, though they do use a small amount of platinum. Platinum is apparently better at keeping the reddish hue of the copper over time.
Omega Seamaster Sedna Gold
Similar to Rolex, Omega has their own take on rose gold called Sedna gold. This alloy combines palladium and copper, resulting in a unique shade of pink. Like platinum, palladium guarantees a longer-lasting reddish hue. It would be interesting to see a side-by-side of the materials to compare the tones.
The Omega Seamaster was already an amazing watch, but the new Sedna gold version is even more stunning. Its gold case measures 42 mm in diameter, making it slightly larger than the Rolex. With a rubber strap that matches the ceramic bezel and a blue dial, it looks fantastic on any wrist. Its certified Master Chronometer movement offers the best of modern watchmaking and protects against extreme magnetic influences. The Seamaster is also available as a two-tone version with a black dial and strap.
Patek Philippe Rose Gold 5980
I’ve decided to round out the list with a solid rose gold watch: the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Date, ref. 5980. Unlike the aforementioned brands with their own alloys, Patek doesn’t fuss with fancy names for their metals. That being said, this watch is no less stunning than the competition. Its dial is remarkably clean, especially considering it’s a chronograph. Instead of having multiple subdials, the 5980 has combines them all into one at the bottom of the dial. When using the chronograph, you can either use the start/stop function or the flyback function to keep timing.
The popularity of rose gold watches has not been lost on celebrities: Sylvester Stallone reportedly owns and wears this particular model. I’m not usually tempted to buy something because of its association with a famous person, but it does seem to win some people over. A simple search reveals that Stallone isn’t the only Hollywood star who’s fallen for a rose gold timepiece.
Rose Gold Watches: Celebrity Sightings
The rich and famous can’t seem to get enough of big name brands. Victoria Beckham, for example, has been spotted wearing a Rolex Daytona Everose with matching heels. The same watch has appeared on the wrists of many others, including Dr. Phil. Robert Downey Jr., on the other hand, sports a stylish rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre. Other fans of rose gold timepieces include Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, and Ed Sheeran. The list is endless, and for good reason – rose gold watches look great.
