Precious Metals vs Stainless Steel

[subtona]

Many good points.
Good thread as well

Value & Value Retention, Longevity of designs.

Consider the Patek Nautilus 5711, AP 15202, submariner, gmt, speedmaster . ..these watches are all iconic and stainless and at the top of the list for desirability. At least 1 of them can be found in most of our dream collections.

[watchwatcher]

It's all preference and there's a place for both in my box.

I have, however, gravitated away from YG, with the exception of the bluesy, which will always be with me in either TT or YG.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

It's all preference and there's a place for both in my box.

I have, however, gravitated away from YG, with the exception of the bluesy, which will always be with me in either TT or YG.

Yes for me too that's really the only YG watch for me now, just works so well with the blue to give that summer beach theme.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by lightingball2

So a friend of mine and I were talking yesterday and he asked me a question that I could not really answer. Why is stainless steel so much more popular that precious metals? Is it because of the price point?? It seems like the AD will give you a break on the precious medals but not on the Stainless models. It also seems like they do not retain the value like the precious metals do either.....I mean Daytona C's and SS Sky Dwellers seem to go for as much as a gold model. At that point, would someone rather have gold or platinum vs SS? Thoughts on this?

pm’s take a major hit on depreciation. I am not sure that they hold value better .

[Brew]

This thread has been very interesting and a great read. I am getting older and am slowing down a bit. I don't think I put much wear on my watches any more. I don't realize any "performance advantage" to be gained by ss, and I prefer a heavier watch. If price wasn't an issue (it is), I would likely only own pm pieces.

[Roy_D]

SS for daily wear, pm for my safe queen! Moreso a piece of jewellery than tool watch I guess.

[rmlovett1]

Many valid points here. I think right now, SS has become wildly popular for last year or so due to
1. “what we can’t have”....therefore huge demand...it’s whats HOT
2. Price definitely plays a factor
3. I’d agree with ....some SS models look better than, or are preferred, just due to what they are..ie, Hulk.
My take...I buy what fits the niche I’m trying to fill in my collection. Just so happens also.....some PM dials/configurations aren’t available in SS, so that has definitely influenced my personal decision making when buying. Durability almost never comes into play for me, and retaining value has never come into play either, when I’m considering a new purchase, I don’t consider these as investments...only enjoyment.

[You]

I would say it's the price also Yellow Gold and Rose Gold attract more attention than a SS, some people just don't like that.

[joli160]

Getting used to wearing PM daily, love the hefty feel. I never go back to SS. Only the GMT 116713LN still gets wrist time.
Imo no noticeable difference in durability

[lightingball2]

Wow. I, glad I asked! Great opinions out there. Thank you all for sharing!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ocwatching]

all valid points and throw in personal style..
I have PM in the collection but its not a daily wearer...

[GradyPhilpott]

Stainless steel looks great, wears great, is priced great and holds its value.

I do like my 14K YG 1503, though.

[Donnyal]

They are all PM to me!

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by donnyal

they are all pm to me!

x 2

[DanMdR]

If I could afford PM I’d have Everose and Platinum.

[Sant476]

I used to debate if its better to have 3-4 SS models or one ultimate PM piece
I guess it matters if you "collect" as well

[envuks]

My $.02 is this is largely price related. $8k-$10k is a lot of money to spend on a watch. To many people that’s already a stretch or as much as they can rationalize. Pm being ~3x as expensive makes them difficult to obtain for many.

SS is more accessible to more people than PM

[thesharkfactor]

Price aside, SS is more popular than TT and PM because a SS Rolex is a watch but a TT or PM Rolex is jewellery. Not all folks want to wear jewellery (a gold bracelet), men especially. Nearly everyone wants to wear a watch..

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Price aside, SS is more popular than TT and PM because a SS Rolex is a watch but a TT or PM Rolex is jewellery. Not all folks want to wear jewellery (a gold bracelet), men especially. Nearly everyone wants to wear a watch..

Interesting statement and quite condescending to those who want and do wear PM watches. BTW, I'll bet my PM Sub tells time just as good as your SS Sub.
And....mine is also capable of 300m water proofness just like SS.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Interesting statement and quite condescending to those who want and do wear PM watches. BTW, I'll bet my PM Sub tells time just as good as your SS Sub.
And....mine is also capable of 300m water proofness just like SS.

I don't have a SS watch? I have a TT watch because it wears well with my other gold jewellery.

I think I am right. Subconsciously a man will see a TT watch as a gold bracelet as well as a watch and if he's not a man who is comfortable with jewellery then he is out. Just look at how many lady Rolex's are TT/PM.. 65% of them are PM/TT.

[yessir69]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I don't have a SS watch? I have a TT watch because it wears well with my other gold jewellery.

I think I am right. Subconsciously a man will see a TT watch as a gold bracelet as well as a watch and if he's not a man who is comfortable with jewellery then he is out. Just look at how many lady Rolex's are TT/PM.. 65% of them are PM/TT.

I don’t see two tone as a “gold bracelet”. And I don’t wear any other jewelery. I grew up in the 80s and two tone has a certain nostalgia to me. That’s why I like it.

[DocHorton]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Price aside, SS is more popular than TT and PM because a SS Rolex is a watch but a TT or PM Rolex is jewellery. Not all folks want to wear jewellery (a gold bracelet), men especially. Nearly everyone wants to wear a watch..

Lol. The material of the case and bracelet doesn't make a difference in whether it's a watch or jewelry. That's just silly.

It's price...nothing else.

If Gold, Platinum, and SS all cost the same then PM would outsell SS by multiples.

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by DocHorton

Lol. The material of the case and bracelet doesn't make a difference in whether it's a watch or jewelry. That's just silly.

It's price...nothing else.

If Gold, Platinum, and SS all cost the same then PM would outsell SS by multiples.

I disagree!

[air_king]

For me I just really like the look of SS watches over gold. I really like the new GMT TT how ever. I real first for me.

[Malibuboy]

Honestly, why does anyone ever order Waygu beef when hamburger is available? I mean don't they both look the same cooked?

To the OP, the Plat and WG are way tastier than the SS.

[msrw]

Also...

Stainless, especially in the less well-known watches like the Explorer II and the Yachtmaster, is way less conspicuous. Lots of places in the world where that’s a plus.

Stainless Oyster bracelets don’t stretch as much as gold Oysters.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by msrw

Also...

Stainless, especially in the less well-known watches like the Explorer II and the Yachtmaster, is way less conspicuous. Lots of places in the world where that’s a plus.

Stainless Oyster bracelets don’t stretch as much as gold Oysters.

Modern solid link Oyster bracelets do not stretch like the older hollow linked ones. 2 Rules. Wear it properly fitted (not sloppy loose). Keep it clean.
Gold and Platinum will last as long as Steel.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Malibuboy

Honestly, why does anyone ever order Waygu beef when hamburger is available? I mean don't they both look the same cooked?

To the OP, the Plat and WG are way tastier than the SS.

Yup all those virgin masseurs, beer and classical music don't come cheap.

[LINVS]

For the cost of a Daydate or gold Sub, you can have haut horology.

[peterpl]

Like it or not its 99% price point. Its that simple.

SS or WG/Plat? Come on folks there is not a single person that would choose SS over the WG/Plat version of any watch if price was the same.