Advice Please on Buying Gold vs Steel

[NickTruswell]

Morning everyone,

I'd like to ask you guys for some advice and guidance with regards buying an all gold vs stainless steel rolex. So far I have 4 S/S pieces in my collection; GMTIIc, Daytona, SubLV & Datejust. I thinking of buying an all gold piece as my next aquisition but have never bought gold before and therefore would like some advice.

Here is what I know so far;
1. Gold Rolex's will tend to lose more initial value than steel therefore buying pre-owned likely the best way to go.
2. Gold Rolex's will feel alot heavier on the wrist versus steel

I'm thinking of either a gold Submariner from the last generation like the 16618 or a Day Date 18238 or 118238 all about the same price but probably leaning towards the sub. What I like to know as follows;

1. What should i watch out for on gold Rolex's vs Steel?
2. How does gold wear compared to steel, gold being a softer metal?
3. Are servicing costs different?
4. Is a gold bracelet more likely to suffer stretch v's a steel one?

Thanks in advance guys and enjoy your weekends
nick

[Darlinboy]

First, and most important - buy what you like! You're the audience that has to be pleased with aesthetics and performance of the watch.

Gold will certainly wear differently than steel, but unless you're really beating the watch, IMO it won't make much difference one way or the other. Personally, I like the "patina" a watch will acquire over time better on SS than precious metals.

Gold will definitely feel heavier on the wrist because... well... it is heavier than stainless steel.

Service costs on SS vs. precious metal will be the same, on the same model of watch - the movements are identical. Bracelet stretch won't be much different IMO. Clean the bracelet properly and regularly and both gold or SS will last for decades. Replacement costs for a precious metal band, should it ever be required, will be much higher.

If cost/depreciation is a concern, and you do decide to go precious metal, you can make that work in your favor - buy used (but minty) and pay much much less than MSRP. You can usually get significant discounts even many BNIB precious metal models if you go through a reputable dealer here on TRF.

Good luck with your selection!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by NickTruswell

1. What should i watch out for on gold Rolex's vs Steel?
2. How does gold wear compared to steel, gold being a softer metal?
3. Are servicing costs different?
4. Is a gold bracelet more likely to suffer stretch v's a steel one?

Thanks in advance guys and enjoy your weekends
nick

Nick,
First, get gold if you like it. Having said that,

1) not much difference between gold and steel except weight so no need to adjust your wearing habits.
2) I haven't noticed any increased wear on my full gold watches over their steel versions.
3) Same movement so only differences in cost are associated with replacing gold parts.
4) with properly cleaning, both bracelets will last many years. "stretch" doesn't occur due to increased malleability of gold but wear on the pins.

[landroverking]

I had a 18Kt Bluesy for a about five years as a daily wearer.
No problems what so ever.

[Sam Philip]

An all gold Rolex submariner feels heavier than the Day-Date and the stainless steel models. However the difference in weight is not significant.

As far as I am aware servicing costs are same for Gold and steel models.

Gold is a soft metal and it would attack more scratches than the SS but again those are negligible and with proper care the bracelet will last for ages.

If you worry about the depreciation on gold models and if you are flying out of Heathrow, the UK duty free is the bet place to buy. There are Rolex AD's in terminals 1,3,4 and 5. You can get 20% vat off and able to negotiate a discount on all gold models. They accept orders and reserve watches over the phone and you can collect the watch when you fly.They can source any all gold model within 4 weeks

[petesjag]

Once you get an all gold Rolex you will wonder why you didn't get one earlier, they are that nice to have..
Make sure you get a great deal and you won't have to worry about depreciation..20-30% off is pretty normal..

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by petesjag

Once you get an all gold Rolex you will wonder why you didn't get one earlier, they are that nice to have..
Make sure you get a great deal and you won't have to worry about depreciation..20-30% off is pretty normal..

Hey Pete, how's the 116718 treating you? Let's see a pic!

[petesjag]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Hey Pete, how's the 116718 treating you? Let's see a pic!

Hey mike,
The 718 has a lot of competition from the 523 but she is a beauty, Maybe I'll put her on thisevening.. every time I wear it its a special day!!
And how's your 718 holding up??

[Adam.]

Originally Posted by petesjag

Once you get an all gold Rolex you will wonder why you didn't get one earlier, they are that nice to have..
Make sure you get a great deal and you won't have to worry about depreciation..20-30% off is pretty normal..

I love gold!

[dimster]

Like a previous poster said it: Buy what you like!
Never buy the watch as an investment. At the end of the day, you are the one who is wearing the watch and you have to be content with your purchase.

As far as weight is concerned, I have both the SS GMT2C and the TT GMT2C and I can barely feel the weight difference. There is definitely a weight difference with the solid gold watch.

Stretch-wise, solid gold is softer than steel and is more prone to strech than steel. However this was more of an issue with the hollow centre-links of old rolexes which weren't cleaned regularly and worn for over 20 years.
The solid centre-links today are less prone to suffer stretch.