Platinum vs Gold

[MVP]

Why is the price of a platinum Rolex 2 -3 times the price of a gold rolex when the price of platinum is markedly less now than the price of gold?

Is this just a reflection of the reverse, platinum being much more expensive than gold, when the platinum models were originally introduced?

[beer]

i think the cost of the platinum needed to make a platinum watch is still more than gold in a gold watch due to the density of both metals

but i am sure the psychology of platinum being considered "above" gold has something to do with it as well

[watchwatcher]

The price of platinum has nothing to do with the price of the watch.

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by beer

i think the cost of the platinum needed to make a platinum watch is still more than gold in a gold watch due to the density of both metals

I believe this is correct, and platinum is a much more difficult (read expensive) metal to work.

[MVP]

I understand that the price of the gold in a gold watch and the price of the platinum in a platinum watch is de minimis compared to the jump in price from their SS counterparts (sans the DD which does not come in SS).

My question is more about the general gap in price between gold and platinum - is this huge gap due to the difference in price between the two metals when the platinum models were originally introduced? I doubt if the first platinum model were to come out today that it would be twice the price of a gold model. Just curious what people's opinions are on this.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Clivek

I believe this is correct, and platinum is a much more difficult (read expensive) metal to work.

Interesting, thanks

[LightOnAHill]

Nice avatar!

[scimps]

For considering

Platinum is usually 950/1000 or more
Gold (18ct) is 750/ 1000

So... you do have 25% more platinum in a platinum watch than you have Gold in a gold watch

[Masteryacht]

All jewelry (watches included) is grossly overpriced when factoring in pure pm value.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by MVP

. . .
My question is more about the general gap in price between gold and platinum - is this huge gap due to the difference in price between the two metals when the platinum models were originally introduced? I doubt if the first platinum model were to come out today that it would be twice the price of a gold model. Just curious what people's opinions are on this.

The price of a commodity has little to do with what it is made from.

There are only a few Platinum watches made for every Gold watch made. Simple economics would dictate that the more scarce watch would sell for more than the one that is plentiful.

If they only made a couple of hundred Stainless Steel watches each year, those would probably cost more than a gold model too.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Tools

There are only a few Platinum watches made for every Gold watch made.

I'm not sure that's what you mean....

[subtona]

Harder to work with and more metal by weight used in same size part

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Tools

The price of a commodity has little to do with what it is made from.

There are only a few Platinum watches made for every Gold watch made. Simple economics would dictate that the more scarce watch would sell for more than the one that is plentiful.

If they only made a couple of hundred Stainless Steel watches each year, those would probably cost more than a gold model too.

Haha regarding your limited SS production comment... Can you imagine?

This all makes sense, thanks everyone.

I know that platinum/ gold is mined at about a 1:10 ratio, I just find the current gold and platinum prices interesting and specifically how they relate to Rolex.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by LightOnAHill

Nice avatar!

Haha taken in Vail wearing my 1980's one piece, how about yours?

[TickTockChuck]

Platinum is only slightly more dense (20%) than gold with roughly the same spot price, but much more difficult to work and less malleable. Still, the price difference goes far & beyond these and other factors and as already mentioned is more a question of exclusivity, so you'll never make sense of it value-wise (well, I guess that would apply to any expensive watch....ha!). Here is a good link I found which discusses the differences between the metals in jewelry applications:

http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/blog...wont-tell-you/

Cheers!

[Rolex addict]

This topic has been beaten to death. Many threads can be found with the search function.

[RichM]

Save your money, buy gold.

[Wacker23]

I would like a platinum one.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

This topic has been beaten to death. Many threads can be found with the search function.

Ok, thank you.

[kilyung]

I wonder why people think there's a causal relationship between price and products? Most everything I buy can be cheaply made yet costs much more.