Explain Gold

[RUK]

When you look at my collection you will clearly see that I have very little experience with gold watches. I understand that whitegold is warmer than steel in colour and that the weight on the wrist is more substantial. Now that I am ready to add a gold watch, can someone please explain-




1) If I like white metal (Stainless steel perpetual JLC) why would I pay a lot (17,000 EUR) more to get the white gold or a platinum version?

2) Is a White gold or platinum likely to age as well as a stainless steel or will I find myself wanting to pull my cuff over to prevent scratches?

3) 50 years from now is a gold case likely to need more work done compared to a stainless steel case?

Sorry for the novice questions! Really trying to understand gold

[lapince]

I get your white gold dilemma, I am getting my Voutilainen in WG only because in white metal he does WG or PT, and PT was at a HUGE premium, so I chose WG, but if I would have had the possibility of SS for 20-30K less I would have taken SS. I love RG, can only have one, not my style of having more, so except if there is a particular model you want and which comes only in WG don't stress it, either get one in RG or just SS, don't see why you would need WG, like you say the premium is a little rough on gold and it doesn't keep value as well as SS, of course if you wanted a SMurf or a BLRO then it must be WG, if not one of these or other WG special models just save the cash and go SS. My 0.2cts

[malarky_hk]

If you prefer a white metal, you should probably take a look at this article. It goes through a good analysis and discussion of the topic SS vs PM.

http://quillandpad.com/2016/12/18/he...recious-metal/

IMHO, you should add a PM piece if you want a non-white metal piece (i.e., RG or YG). But of course, some manufacturers only make their watches in PM so you don't really have a choice.

PM is softer than SS and thus likely to sustain more nicks and scratches in the long term compared to a SS piece.

[cedargrove]

Some people like the weight of gold and platinum, and some like the knowledge they are wearing a precious metal, which I understand.

Personally I don't like very heavy watches, so would typically avoid precious metals, especially watches on a bracelet.

I like the look of yellow/rose gold, and would consider it for a watch, but only on a strap to keep the weight down.

I like the idea of platinum as a precious metal, but the extra weight and cost would deter me from buying over steel.

As for wear and aging, I believe gold will scratch more easily and wear quicker than steel.

Nice collection btw.

[diracpoint]

It seems to me that YG ages better than WG ... just the looks

[kunlun]

There's no real, objective reason to prefer a pm watch, nor does the price of a pm watch reflect either the price of the metal, nor the cost of workmanship--it's simply much higher than can be explained by either of those. For some micro-brands, you even see the price of gold versus SS to be the same!

That being the case (choosing a pm watch is really just a subjective choice), I'll share something from Chinese culture here. This is a bit of Daoism, where they believed that gems, minerals, and metals have qualities and therapeutic functions that can be imparted by wearing them (among other ways).

Gold: Gold you wear to preserve and sustain untarnished the precious things in your life.

Platinum: Platinum, on the other hand, you wear to realize what you aspire to.



Just for fun, I wanted to share. I do think that pm have a kind of subjective feel of something precious that draws some people beyond strictly rational reasons. Maybe the Daoists had their finger on that.

[mdgrwl]

One of my favorite watches of all time is a Lange 1815 - which they ONLY make in gold. Otherwise I would opt for the steel version.

I honestly don't get gold personally. I'm not impressed by precious metal... stainless watch is perfect for me.

PS - nice youtube videos - I recognize your collection :)

[benlee]

Originally Posted by RUK

When you look at my collection you will clearly see that I have very little experience with gold watches. I understand that whitegold is warmer than steel in colour and that the weight on the wrist is more substantial. Now that I am ready to add a gold watch, can someone please explain-

1) If I like white metal (Stainless steel perpetual JLC) why would I pay a lot (17,000 EUR) more to get the white gold or a platinum version?

2) Is a White gold or platinum likely to age as well as a stainless steel or will I find myself wanting to pull my cuff over to prevent scratches?

3) 50 years from now is a gold case likely to need more work done compared to a stainless steel case?

Sorry for the novice questions! Really trying to understand gold

Answering your question,

(1) WG and Platinum are heavier, feels more substantial on the wrist in a good way and definitely looks better than SS in a variety of lighting condition. It's more shiny, more brilliant. That said, very well made and polished SS watches esp those from AP Royal Oak and PP Nautilus can come very close.

(2) Gold is more scratch prone than SS and given sufficient time, scratches and hairlines are bound to accumulate on either metal. A lot is also dependent on how you wear the watches. I have come across people who wear their gold watches so carefully that even after years of usage, they still look mint.

(3) Unfortunately ( or fortunately ), I am not old enough to own a gold watch for over 50 years to answer this question.

Hope this helps.

[Andad]

To me the choices are limited to:

Gold - should be yellow and not not white because that looks just like SS.
Pt - looks like SS and is more expensive than gold for more reasons than we can all list.
SS - looks like Pt but is lighter and less expensive and anyway only WIS will 'know'.


My 'Pt' watch.

Note the warm white look.

[Fredrik]

One thing you get with precious metals is excellent corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is good, but it will corrode if you swim a lot in the ocean or sweat a lot and do not carefully rinse your watch.

[RUK]

Thanks for all the tips and replies. That was a great link above.

I think I'll stay away from gold unless I get a very nice platinum or rose gold craving

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[Credor911]

1) If you like white metal there is no need to get pm. SS is more comfortable anyways.

2) Any metal will still age better than you so it doesnt matter. Wont be noticable differences but pt will ofcourse scratch less.

3) Gold will probably be more scratched. But who cares in 50 years we will have bigger problems.

[kilyung]

I think Josh's article, while factually correct, fails to address why people buy PM watches... because we're attracted to it and love the luxury of it. Otherwise everyone should be driving a Honda Accord, arguably the best utilitarian passenger vehicle.

[vladi123456]

I read that article a while ago. While it's correct to say the gold watches cost disproportionately more than the stainless steel ones - he doesn't address another issue - that stainless steel hi-end watches cost disproportionately more than Timex or Fossil watches. Why buy stainless steel Rolex or Omega - when Seiko and Citizen look just the same, but cost $100. After reading his article, it almost seems that people who buy a stainless steel Patek instead of a Casio are just as "crazy" as those who choose gold Patek over a stainless steel Patek.

Personally I will be getting a WG Sky Dweller because it's awesome. Don't let anybody tell you how to spend your money - for all we know the guy who wrote that article simply can't afford a gold watch, so he's spinning the story to look better in his eyes