White Gold watches - does it not fade/discolour like rings?

[jameshe]

Hi guys,

I am a fan of white gold models (aesthetically), and have some white gold jewellery (rings). My question is - does it deteriorate/fade/discolour over time, and at what rate? (i.e. as bad as a white gold wedding band for example?)

This thought struck me the other day. With something like a submariner, a sports/diving model (the quintessential 'tool' watch if it were in steel) surely it would not be offered in WG if it were the case? I would be amazed to hear that it doesnt degrade at all from the original colouration/hue (scratches aside)...

Anyone out there got experience of the solid gold models?

Thanks guys

[gregdolley]

The Rolex WG doesn't discolour because it's not rhodium plated like most WG rings/trinkets.

[SLS]

I have never seen this happen on a Rolex, or any solid 18K white gold watch.
Scott

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by SLS

I have never seen this happen on a Rolex, or any solid 18K white gold watch.
Scott

X 2......Never seen or heard of disclouring or fading on any gold yellow or white!!

[The GMT Master]

Agreed, the white gold used on a Rolex is an alloy as opposed to rhodium plated yellow gold, so it'll never lose its colour

[Balboa]

All white golds are alloys. Rhodium plating yellow gold does not produce white gold. 18K white gold consists of 75% gold and the balance of other metals including silver, copper, nickel, zinc and palladium. Rhodium plating is frequently used on white gold and platinum to impart a shiny silver rather than gray color.

Rolex uses a small percentage of platinum in its white and Everose golds. This small dose of platinum locks in the original color virtually indefinitely.

Good luck learning any specific information about Rolex alloys. We'd like to know!

Mark

[gregdolley]

On a second note: even though it's too soon to tell, I took my solid 18k rose gold Rolex diving a few times in Hawaii last week and it still looks perfect. Whether there will be any bad long-term effects from this, I don't know, but I highly doubt it. Of course, I washed the salt-water off every time after diving since it's corrosive. If you don't wash off the salt-water, then I think over a long time and after many dives, you'd probably see some degredation. But as long as it's washed every time after salt-water contact, I highly doubt you'd see any ill effects in the long term.

Here are a couple of wrist shots after my last dive in Hawaii.

[deserted]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Agreed, the white gold used on a Rolex is an alloy as opposed to rhodium plated yellow gold, so it'll never lose its colour

X2

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by gregdolley

On a second note: even though it's too soon to tell, I took my solid 18k rose gold Rolex diving a few times in Hawaii last week and it still looks perfect. Whether there will be any bad long-term effects from this, I don't know, but I highly doubt it. Of course, I washed the salt-water off every time after diving since it's corrosive. If you don't wash off the salt-water, then I think over a long time and after many dives, you'd probably see some degredation. But as long as it's washed every time after salt-water contact, I highly doubt you'd see any ill effects in the long term.

Here are a couple of wrist shots after my last dive in Hawaii.

That is a BEAUTIFUL watch!

[Speed]

So will the new Sub come in WG / Black Bezel combo from the factory?

[Ebruner]

All white gold will wear to a dull yellowish tinted color. It does not matter if it is 14K white or 18K white. The 18K will actually be a bit worse since there is more of the "yellow metal" in the alloy. Ring, watch, Rolex or other. It will happen to all WG.

Rhodium plating is a way to bring back the white once it has worn to a yellowish color. I Rhodium plate many used WG pieces in my store to "freshen" them up.

Platinum in the mix will help the wearability quite a bit. But it will still dull with use.

[jameshe]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

All white gold will wear to a dull yellowish tinted color. It does not matter if it is 14K white or 18K white. The 18K will actually be a bit worse since there is more of the "yellow metal" in the alloy. Ring, watch, Rolex or other. It will happen to all WG.

Rhodium plating is a way to bring back the white once it has worn to a yellowish color. I Rhodium plate many used WG pieces in my store to "freshen" them up.

Platinum in the mix will help the wearability quite a bit. But it will still dull with use.

That is what I thought, contrary to other opinion in this thread. Its an interesting mix, but I still would have thought that with wear it would get more messed up than YG/RG (and obv steel).

For those reasons, perhaps it would be a consideration AGAINST going WG (for example, steel instead on the daytona)?

[Czechman]

Here's a 30 year old WG OQ... if it's dulled I can't see it.

[Ebruner]

What is the yellowing around the links on top the clasp and on the inside of the clasp?

[Czechman]

Those are reflections, not any discoloration.