Can you tell SS/WG/PLATINUM Rolex from distance?

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by trandonnghia92

Without knowing about that specific reference

Could you tell the different between SS/WG/PLATINUM Rolex just by outlook? and How can you do that ?

If most of us cannot, there are no reason to buy WG/PLA over SS , Isn't it ?

You have to have a real good eye, but honestly I know from the dial (depending on watch)

DD's are easier to spot due to the Presidential bracelet, and PT usually have dome bezel and ice blue dial.

The reason to buy PM in WG or PT is for YOU to know what you have, and not everybody else. SS is not even close in comparison, it is great when you buy at retail price, but the heft and feeling of PM is on another level.

[DAC2]

Originally Posted by brandrea

the metal choice is to be enjoyed by the wearer and not others

this !!!!

[ltmgeller]

The appeal of the different PM pieces, is more of the feell than the appearance for me. I feel it all day long, I only look at it sporadicly throughout the day. There is no feeling like a platinum Rolex. Its almost electrifying.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The metal choice is to be enjoyed by the wearer and not others

Indeed Brian and often the choice of white gold or platinum is to fly under the radar

[Goin2drt]

SS vs WG absolutely. The WG is "creamier". Not sure on the platinum as I have not seen many.

[Incroyable12]

A platinum DD is pretty obvious if you've seen them before. The sheen looks nothing like steel.

White gold is often extremely shiny.

[trROLEX18]

Platinium shines more than steel. WG is a bit yellowish. But of course not from distance. I dnt think people can notice

[Megalobyte]

So why bother paying for a platinum or WG necklace/bracelet/earrings/pendant…..Stainless should be fine. :)

[Megalobyte]

There is a type of watch enthusiast who likes wearing a very fine watch that will only be appreciated by very few, or just the one. Then there are the type who feel a nice watch should be noticed easily and by as many people as possible, they WANT others to know they’re wearing something expensive. 2 very different personalities.

One irony is that often all else equal, the stainless version of a watch will be more indicitive of wealth (clout), than its platinum or gold counterpart. Look at Patek. The 5905 gold and platinum versions sell for half what the stainless version commands in the secondary. It’s like a double fake-out.

To me, I prefer the under the radar approach. I do like that a fellow watch enthusiast might recognize the watch, and I prefer that 99.99% of people won’t.

The 5170g for example. Arguably near the pinnacle of watchmaking. But, WG, and extremely understated. You can wear this knowing only the few watch geeks you run into will have any clue you’re wearing one of the finest watches made, the rest will see it as a $100 Timex. I’m good with that. Some aren’t. Different strokes.

[Tools]

It's unlikely that anybody could tell the metal type from a distance.

It's also just as unlikely that anybody, or very many, could even tell the type of watch it is at a distance.

The false premise would be that everybody is buying a watch just so it can be noticed. If that's the sort of person you are then there are plenty of flashy, noticeable, options.

[raym0016]

Stealth wealth is a thing.

[Batchelor22]

Sometimes you want to know you have something special without having it scream its presence to everyone.

[HogwldFLTR]

Generally speaking, I know the watches well enough to be able to tell the model from a distance and since there isn't really a lot of overlap between PMs and SS, yes, I can tell. Most who ask this question are trying to assuage their feeling of not measuring up by buying SS and justifying as just as good as the white PM metals. What's equally ridiculous is buying SS at close to PM prices. Or insisting on buy yellow gold so everyone can know how expensive your tastes are. This topsy turvy Rolex world has so many ridiculous inconsistencies.

[Batchelor22]

Very true, not much logic in any of this.

[CoveWatch]

Anecdotally, I could hardly tell what white metal it is without seeing the dial before, but after owning a WG watch, I guess I could say I could sometimes tell now? Still tough to narrow down at times.. .but as many mentioned, buying wg/plet that looks like steel is usually for your own enjoyment, not others.

[S1mplee]

I can tell the difference for the most part.

Platinum shines like nothing else in the sun, white gold has a yellow hue to it on Rolex, and steel looks more dull.

This mostly relates to Rolex and for reference I own all 3 metals.

[Incroyable12]

It's actually quite hard to describe the shine of platinum.

[Harry-57]

I've held a WG Sub Date next to my SS Sub Date and the visual difference is obvious. WG has a deeper, denser and brighter lustre. I don't know about platinum.

As has already been said by many contributors, it's what it does for me that counts. I wouldn't care who else knows or doesn't know what it is.

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

It's actually quite hard to describe the shine of platinum.

It has a bright sheen, a lustrous white purity, perhaps partly because it is 95% pure platinum in the Rolex line.

[Momo26]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Indeed Brian and often the choice of white gold or platinum is to fly under the radar

That’s the reason I chose WG. Yellow and rose just scream for attention. I love that someone who doesn’t know watches might think i am wearing a $100 watch with a rubber strap

[joli160]

The WG and SS I can easily see the difference owning both.
Pt I have no experience with unfortunately.

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The metal choice is to be enjoyed by the wearer and not others

⬆️⬆️ Exactly!
From a distance over a few feet, I myself would have a tough time telling those metals apart, unless I could actually see the (Rolex)reference.

[alphadweller]

I can't distinguish SS from PT in my YM 116622, or from WG in my Patrimony 85180 (no rhodium plating, they put PT in the WG alloy).

[Tzachi]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The metal choice is to be enjoyed by the wearer and not others

And the fell of the heft, WG or Plat, is 2nd to none

[Gmt+10]

Not really. It's easier to spot silver because of how white it is.

[Dirt]

Good question.
I can tell WG from about a metre, but I think prior knowledge around the references is probably a help as well.
WG is sort of yellowish compared to the others.
That covers Rolex.

To the broader issue.
If i was an uneducated observer, I'm not so sure that I could tell the difference between OMEGASTEEL and Platinum.

[bestwatch1]

From a distance there is a slight difference but when you wear it you will feel the big difference.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Well said, Larry!!

Thank you, sir.

[csaltphoto]

Idk... I was in a shop recently and a guy brought in his smurf for some work. I asked if I could take a look having never handled one in person. Looked like SS to me.

[1978]

Nope. I love that my white gold DD on an oyster bracelet, with white dial and smooth bezel, is indistinguishable from a DJ even to a pretty trained eye!

Originally Posted by trandonnghia92

Without knowing about that specific reference

Could you tell the different between SS/WG/PLATINUM Rolex just by outlook? and How can you do that ?

If most of us cannot, there are no reason to buy WG/PLA over SS , Isn't it ?