WG vs SS

[TEPSD4K]

I really like the WG Daytonas. Does a WG watch make a good “daily driver?” Does it scratch easier than SS? Is the maintenance any different? I feel fortunate to have so many experienced, passionate enthusiasts to ask.

[henrylee]

Any watch can be used as a daily driver eve WG but it does scratch way easier than SS. It will needs normal cleaning/washing away the dirt and grime once in awhile.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Any watch can be used as a daily driver eve WG but it does scratch way easier than SS. It will needs normal cleaning/washing away the dirt and grime once in awhile.

Which WG reference do you own? My 719BLRO stands up quite well to daily abuse.

OP, wear them all in good health and don't fret the small stuff.

[joli160]

There is no difference in scratching, they all scratch. Each polished surface does.
Touch a brick wall and you see no difference in damages.
For me any watch I own I use as a daily including my WG, RG and YG watches.

Obviously the PCL of the bracelets show scratches more than on a brushed bracelet. The latter is deliberately scratched all over from factory so you don’t see new ones. They are still there though

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by joli160

There is no difference in scratching, they all scratch. Each polished surface does.
Touch a brick wall and you see no difference in damages.
For me any watch I own I use as a daily including my WG, RG and YG watches.

Obviously the PCL of the bracelets show scratches more than on a brushed bracelet. The latter is deliberately scratched all over from factory so you don’t see new ones. They are still there though

^what he said.


Exactly the same wear.

[TEPSD4K]

It is awesome to some many people with such great “hands on” experience. Thank you.

[itsinthebag]

Daily 2 different WG watches. No issue from Rolex WG. Fewer scratches and dings despite more frequent use compared to SS santos and SS AP

[Rolex1982]

I use my GMT 126719 meteorite as a daily driver for almost a year now. It is on my wrist all the time and it is still looking good. Yes the PCL parts have hairlines, especially on the clasp, but with stainless i had the seem thing. I say, wear them because you like them. They are meant to be worn. All watches can scratch or get dings in them. But remind you, there are always methods to treat that if it really bothers you. But not wearing a watch because of it’s material is in my opinion a waste of money.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I use my GMT 126719 meteorite as a daily driver for almost a year now. It is on my wrist all the time and it is still looking good. Yes the PCL parts have hairlines, especially on the clasp, but with stainless i had the seem thing. I say, wear them because you like them. They are meant to be worn. All watches can scratch or get dings in them. But remind you, there are always methods to treat that if it really bothers you. But not wearing a watch because of it’s material is in my opinion a waste of money.

Really well put

[travisb]

Perfectly fine as a daily. Treat it and wear it as you would any other SS reference.

[Conway]

I think it depends how active you are and what kind of job, etc.

I wore my PP 5712G as a daily watch for a couple of years and it did get a few small scratches but only from wearing it whilst doing leisure stuff that was fairly physical.

I get a rash from stainless steel if I wear any of my SS Rolex in environments where I sweat, so I tend not to use them as regular daily wearers, but I can't say I've noticed my gold watches getting more damage than my SS ones, although now I mainly sit behind a desk all day.

[Guybrush]

I daily/only a full bracelet wg watch and I see no significant difference between how it accumulates scratches and how its ss predecessors did. I’m fairly wrist-conscious, I’d say, and I remove it whenever I’m doing something likely to be risky, but I’d do that with a ss Sub too.

WG is much heavier than steel, obviously, so there is a substantial difference in gravity when wearing a wg piece. You do get used to the mass—the magic doesn’t last very long if you make it a daily piece—but “getting used to it” isn’t the same as forgetting it’s there. I never forget it when I’m wearing my watch—the way I used to when wearing ss. That’s maybe the biggest difference, as far as I’m concerned. Maybe it makes the watch even less likely to get scratched, since I never forget I’ve got it on…

[jingerman]

Wanted to ask a question too: Apart from the scratches issue, visually and aesthetically are there differences between WG and SS for those who own both??


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[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by jingerman

Wanted to ask a question too: Apart from the scratches issue, visually and aesthetically are there differences between WG and SS for those who own both??


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The WG is a warmer time and more of a grey color than stainless steel. But it’s very difficult to notice the difference unless you know what to look for.

As noted above, WG is far heavier. I hated it for the first 10 days or so. Now that I’m used to it, I prefer the weight. I believe that is a common experience for people who transition from wearing stainless steel watches to WG ones.


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[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by jingerman

Wanted to ask a question too: Apart from the scratches issue, visually and aesthetically are there differences between WG and SS for those who own both??


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Visually and aesthetically, I’d say no. 99% of people (that is, everyone except for the 1% who know watches well enough to spot a reference), if they notice your watch at all, which would be a weird thing to do, will assume it’s steel.

I agree that it’s a little warmer; I also agree that you’d really need a trained eye to tell the difference unless the watch is right next to a steel or platinum piece. And even then, it’s not super noticeable.

[David5807]

Originally Posted by jingerman

Wanted to ask a question too: Apart from the scratches issue, visually and aesthetically are there differences between WG and SS for those who own both??


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Here is a side by side image of my WG Speedie (left and a steel Speedie (right). You can notice the difference in color and tone.[IMG][/IMG]

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by David5807

Here is a side by side image of my WG Speedie (left and a steel Speedie (right). You can notice the difference in color and tone.[IMG][/IMG]

I see a huge difference, but a different difference than most steel vs WG. That particular WG alloy looks lighter and brighter, almost like aluminum or well-cleaned sterling. Less of the warmth, but a really interesting shade.

[David5807]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I see a huge difference, but a different difference than most steel vs WG. That particular WG alloy looks lighter and brighter, almost like aluminum or well-cleaned sterling. Less of the warmth, but a really interesting shade.

From what I've read, it's composed of gold (>75%), palladium (>20%), and small quantities of platinum and rhodium which give it the lighter hue you're referring to.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by David5807

From what I've read, it's composed of gold (>75%), palladium (>20%), and small quantities of platinum and rhodium which give it the lighter hue you're referring to.

Either way, it's a beautiful and uniquely understated piece. Particularly fond of the all-matte, but still multi-surfaced bracelet, as well as the matching dial and sub-dials.

As an aside, I do think that proprietary gold formulations will be one of the next trend in differentiating watches from the competition. Rolex has been doing this with "Everose" for some time. Omega has its Canopus WG and Sedna RG alloys (as well as "Moonshine" and "Bronze" golds). Lange has "honey gold" (which seems to be a YG variant).

Obviously there have always been variations when it comes to gold alloys and the resulting color, but it seems more brands are, and will be, taking advantage of that for marketing purposes.

[danwang0520]

watches are meant to be worn, regardless of what material of watch you bought.....

[padi56]

Originally Posted by danwang0520

watches are meant to be worn, regardless of what material of watch you bought.....

Exactly that and if not worn what's the point in buying any watch.

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly that and if not worn what's the point in buying any watch.

Similarly.....

"Climbing mountains will teach you patience, persistence and gratitude. Mountain climbing can be physically and mentally exhausting. But when you reach the top, any roadblocks or struggles you may have had along the way fade and make room for a deep sense of accomplishment."

I buy them for static art, and have now one WG Daytona, that I've owned for years.....to have been on my wrist but once, the day it arrived. Then right back in its box, and into the safe, (not to worry Padi, we all know you're not a fan of the current references).

WG, worn under a cotton sleeve would give bases for RSC to note, scratches present upon receipt, if sent in for service....

[Kiddodoc]

I have the 126619, 116519 and the 116506. I wear them frequently. My WG sub has some swirls and slight scratches but you will dry yourself crazy polishing it if it bothers you that much. All of the above will scratch but watches are made to be worn.

[DJH1977]

I wear a white gold Daytona regularly (not daily), and I don't baby it. Doesn't seem to have any more scratches than my stainless oyster bracelets. I think most people do not regret going the precious metal route once they decide to do so (at least the folks I've known who went that route). Just clean it regularly as mentioned above.

[Calatrava r]

There is no difference between WG and SS for durability, strength or scratching from a watch wearing prospective. Remember when you wear a watch you are not using the metal as a crowbar or tire wrench, so the added softness of gold has no loss of function in normal watch wearing. The gold is noticeably heavier giving it a nice heft and feel. Plus, the look of WG has a grayish hue to it from the current alloys. The biggest difference is the price.

[dnd2984]

Having WG and SS Daytona, one is not easier to scratch. The WG Daytona makes a great daily.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by TEPSD4K

I really like the WG Daytonas. Does a WG watch make a good “daily driver?” Does it scratch easier than SS? Is the maintenance any different? I feel fortunate to have so many experienced, passionate enthusiasts to ask.

This picture (not mine) shows pretty well the color difference between 904L stainless steel (center) vs WG clasps. WG has a more milky / yellowish tone versus 904L SS. Love the white precious metals (WG and PT)


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[Sub Capt.]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

This picture (not mine) shows pretty well the color difference between 904L stainless steel (center) vs WG clasps. WG has a more milky / yellowish tone versus 904L SS. Love the white precious metals (WG and PT)


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Totally agree! The WG color is far different than SS. Absolutely love the WG!

[bradyb]

WG all the way! Here's my daily driver.

[Grim Reaper]

The WG is in my experience soft and subject to scratches. That's partly to do with the soft metal but the Rolex polished surfaces are very vulnerable to this if that's important to you. If you get anxiety over scuffs and scrapes on what can be a large outlay of cash, WG might be a torment to wear,.