Rolex changed their yellow gold.

[4 Aussies]

Too lazy to take a new pic today, but if you want to see a big difference, look at my Day-Dates, one from the 90s and one from today, both YG.

[jitdc]

I was at my AD last week looking at YG Day Dates, 36 and 40mm. Compared my two year old Daytona the gold definitely looks lighter. Granted I wear my Daytona 5 out of 7 days a week and it was a bit dirty in the pics.






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[EEpro]

Originally Posted by jitdc

I was at my AD last week looking at YG Day Dates, 36 and 40mm. Compared my two year old Daytona the gold definitely looks lighter. Granted I wear my Daytona 5 out of 7 days a week and it was a bit dirty in the pics.






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Rolex has the copper cranked up lately. I like it.

Formula was not jealously guarded enough to maintain the silver / copper / platinum blend.

[Spoonage]

For me it would be Rose > new yellow tone > old yellow tone

[chocopeluche]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Too lazy to take a new pic today, but if you want to see a big difference, look at my Day-Dates, one from the 90s and one from today, both YG.

ya but one on the left is 36mm one on the right is 40mm.

[premium2]

I don't know why the change was made, but I personally prefer the new color.

[911AP]

Originally Posted by ChipotleBanana

Hi All,

I ordered a DD40 months ago and recently discovered that Rolex has been using a different alloy of yellow gold. This change must’ve happened sometimes in the last five years since this YG GMT2 is from 2016. I’m so disappointed to see the intensity of the yellow change and look more mellow. These photos make it appear like Lange Honeygold instead of the Classic YG that I love.

I disliked this change so much I couldn’t justify the purchase. Sad day.

The new YG looks WAY better. Good job Rolex. You made a mistake on passing....

[huncho]

Originally Posted by 911AP

The new YG looks WAY better. Good job Rolex. You made a mistake on passing....

agreed, looks more elegant and less cheesy. will glow much nicer in the sun too

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by whited3

Ever worn your GMT in a pool? Regardless, 18k gold will change color over time.

I agree; the change could just be mild patinaing.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by shazbot302

i definitely prefer the tone of yg on the dd. Much more elegant imo.

+1

[David5807]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I agree; the change could just be mild patinaing.

I agree. I think this is most likely patina.

[t65tampa]

I have a 116618, 116508, and the 228238 from 2011, 2018, and 2021 respectively. Never really noticed a difference in gold color.


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[gwozhog]

Originally Posted by ChipotleBanana

Hi All,

I ordered a DD40 months ago and recently discovered that Rolex has been using a different alloy of yellow gold. This change must’ve happened sometimes in the last five years since this YG GMT2 is from 2016. I’m so disappointed to see the intensity of the yellow change and look more mellow. These photos make it appear like Lange Honeygold instead of the Classic YG that I love.

I disliked this change so much I couldn’t justify the purchase. Sad day.

Take your watches to any gold buyer shop and they can use an XRF gun to tell the exact percentages of the different metals used to alloy your 18k gold

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by chocopeluche

ya but one on the left is 36mm one on the right is 40mm.

The theme of the thread is yellow gold color, and the size of the watch has no relevance!!

[Llamathurst]

The new gold is so much more mellow in color.

[gyang333]

I do like the new shade better. I had a 2010 YG Datejust (116238) and thought it was too yellow. Never compared it to current generation YG watches, but have since taken a look at some DD40s in YG and I thought the hue was lighter. Glad to see others have noticed the same and have some side-by-sides to compare (albeit have to factor in patina).

[Sub King]

My father recently purchased a YG submariner, and he had made a comment about the colour seeming slightly more rose than he’d expected. Neither of us have had the opportunity to compare with a Day-Date.

Has anyone followed up and confirmed whether Rolex uses a different yellow gold alloy for Day-Dates and PM tool watches?

[lencap]

With gold trading at $2000/OUNCE today versus $1100 in 2015, and adding copper priced at $4/POUND in today's market, it seems to me the reason for the shift is increased profit margins.

Having the watch tone appear more "warm" is clever marketing used to offset the question: "Why are the watch prices up 8-10% a year when you're reducing gold content and actually increasing the profit margin?"

[MikeyV]

They're all 18k, so they all have the same amount of gold in them - by weight.

It seems weird to me that any alloy of yellow good that's supposed to be yellow gold, would try to approximate the color of 24k.

My guess is they've tried to make the new yellow gold look softer - not so Miami-Vice.

[baythan]

I love the new version, it looks cool and fascinating.

[Joearch]

I tried on the new YG GMT II and thought the gold was a bit muted compared to my older YG Daytona.

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by shazbot302

i definitely prefer the tone of yg on the dd. Much more elegant imo.

+1

[jed11]

Originally Posted by Sub King

My father recently purchased a YG submariner, and he had made a comment about the colour seeming slightly more rose than he’d expected. Neither of us have had the opportunity to compare with a Day-Date.

Has anyone followed up and confirmed whether Rolex uses a different yellow gold alloy for Day-Dates and PM tool watches?

So interesting…I too recently purchased a gold sub. And I’ve obviously seen it and tried it on in the past but when trying it on again, something clicked for me this time around and it just looked like a warmer and less yellow/loud watch. Which I liked obviously since I walked out with it!
Walked around the AD and viewed it under different light just to confirm my initial observations too.


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[Krash]

I like both. Not sure I have a preference to be honest.


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[Michael T]

Originally Posted by huncho

there was a thread about this recently. pretty interesting to see

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=754537

I stand by that the DD has a finer brush to the Satin than the GMT, thus a different reflection and hu.