Talk to me about precious metals

[malarky_hk]

So I've decided my next watch will be in a precious metal. However, I haven't committed yet on whether it will be platinum, white, yellow or rose gold. At this point, I haven't decided on the specific watch yet either. This is just my first step into the journey.

This will be my first (and perhaps only) purchase of a precious metal time piece; and one that I will plan on keeping and will eventually pass on to my son.

For those that own or have owned a precious metal watch, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the pros and cons of each particular metal.

[DreambreaX]

Precious metal what makes you elegant. Steel is standard metal that almost everyone use it

get this



or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx3gICrNc74

or

[Gaijin]

For me as you know Mark I would go WG or preferably platinum (funds allowing.) I just can't pull off YG. I feel self conscious around people I know are working as hard as I am but cannot afford one for whatever reason.

I owned a RG DD and found myself hiding it constantly under a sleeve. Love the look but can't pull it off.

[benlee]

Among precious metals, I tend to like White Gold and Rose gold. I like that yellow "shine" of White Gold which is very subtle and the deep rich tone of Rose Gold. Never quite warm up to YG but I do like the DD2 in YG. Platinum is too much like very well polished SS and I can't tell the difference most of the time. Besides it is too heavy.

[malarky_hk]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

For me as you know Mark I would go WG or preferably platinum (funds allowing.) I just can't pull off YG. I feel self conscious around people I know are working as hard as I am but cannot afford one for whatever reason.

I owned a RG DD and found myself hiding it constantly under a sleeve. Love the look but can't pull it off.

Thanks for the input Tom. I recall you mentioned this before; and this issue has also crossed my mind especially in the case of YG. However, if I do end up deciding on YG it will, most likely, be on a strap. The wife says I'll look like a yakusa with a full YG watch.

[malarky_hk]

Originally Posted by benlee

Among precious metals, I tend to like White Gold and Rose gold. I like that yellow "shine" of White Gold which is very subtle and the deep rich tone of Rose Gold. Never quite warm up to YG but I do like the DD2 in YG. Platinum is too much like very well polished SS and I can't tell the difference most of the time. Besides it is too heavy.

Can you please elaborate more about the yellow shine from WG? I didn't know there is a perceivable difference between WG and SS/PT.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Can you please elaborate more about the yellow shine from WG? I didn't know there is a perceivable difference between WG and SS/PT.

As you know, white gold is actually yellow gold mix with other metals/allows to suppress the yellow tone texture of gold, but within the metal, it's still gold. So under sunlight or certain interior light, it gives out a "golden shine".

Mmm... it's hard to describe. Maybe a picture will help you get the idea. This is my IWC Perpetual Calendar in White Gold.

[malarky_hk]

Thanks for the info Ben. Never really thought about the composition of WG or RG. Beautiful IWC!

Just quickly doing some search, it appears the quality of the WG/RG depends on the mix of the alloy. So the logical next question is - is there any manufacture that produces and use particularly "high quality"/distinctive WG/RG in their watches?

[HL65]

Look, weight, feel and wrist presence....Love precious metal watches!

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Thanks for the input Tom. I recall you mentioned this before; and this issue has also crossed my mind especially in the case of YG. However, if I do end up deciding on YG it will, most likely, be on a strap. The wife says I'll look like a yakusa with a full YG watch.

Kinda true Mark. Here anyway..

[benlee]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Thanks for the info Ben. Never really thought about the composition of WG or RG. Beautiful IWC!

Just quickly doing some search, it appears the quality of the WG/RG depends on the mix of the alloy. So the logical next question is - is there any manufacture that produces and use particularly "high quality"/distinctive WG/RG in their watches?

Do you have any particular brand in mind Mark? I think when come to the top brands, all their gold alloys are very distinctive and high quality. Some are a bit better of course. Just purely my own subjective opinion, I think PP makes the best WG, AP and Lange for RG and for YG, nothing beats a Rolex.

[malarky_hk]

Thanks for the info Ben. I haven't decided on the watch yet but have been casually perusing the offerings from the various manufacturers (ALS, PP, IWC and a few others). Since most pieces are available in WG, YG, RG and PT, I wanted to know the pros/cons (e.g., robustness, longevity, scratch resistance, perception, value, etc.) of owning a watch in the various metals. Ultimately, it will come down to personal preference but I just wanted to see if I missed anything in my evaluation.

[kilyung]

I LOVE all precious metals. They each evoke different feelings. It's also brand specific. A YG Rolex feels different than a YG PP. I'd pick the brand/model you like first, then the metal.

[malarky_hk]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I LOVE all precious metals. They each evoke different feelings. It's also brand specific. A YG Rolex feels different than a YG PP. I'd pick the brand/model you like first, then the metal.

Good info and tip, Mike. Thanks.

[AK797]

I prefer AP for RG, Rolex for YG and Lange for platinum.

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Look, weight, feel and wrist presence....Love precious metal watches!

Speechless......

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

So I've decided my next watch will be in a precious metal. However, I haven't committed yet on whether it will be platinum, white, yellow or rose gold. At this point, I haven't decided on the specific watch yet either. This is just my first step into the journey.

This will be my first (and perhaps only) purchase of a precious metal time piece; and one that I will plan on keeping and will eventually pass on to my son.

For those that own or have owned a precious metal watch, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the pros and cons of each particular metal.

I'm in the same situation. I've thought about picking up another SS model this year but I can't do it. I'd love to have another one but I already have 2. But after thinking about it I want some color and I only live once. So I'm looking to get a yg or rg model.

From what I've read, RG can discolor and there have been some old threads here about Rolex RG (everose), but from what I've read, that situation has been fixed? Haven't read anything recently on it.

Gold is softer- people here vary on their opinions- some complain that it's too soft and scratches/dings too easily and others say it's fine.

In terms of long-term service as you are planning to hand it down to your son, one thing to consider is that if the bracelet needs to be replaced, you're looking at a pricey bill. I think I read somewhere here a replacement YG Rolex Jubilee was $13,000 USD. Obviously this is not a factor if you buy a model with a leather strap or swap out to a leather strap.

[SearChart]

There are a lot of great precious metal watches, but the one watch that I really want within the next ten years is the classic Patek Philippe Calatrava 5119J.