Real world experiences with gold?

[Solar]

Hi all, some recent posts here about the durablilty of gold (be it white, rose or yellow). Is it that easy to scratch?

I only own stainless steel model Rolexes at this time. Who here can speak to the durability of the Rolex TT (or solid) gold models?

Also, not having ever seen an all white gold model, anyone here who can say how theirs appears visually different than stainless?

Thanks all for your opinions,

Chris

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Solar

Hi all, some recent posts here about the durablilty of gold (be it white, rose or yellow). Is it that easy to scratch?


I only own stainless steel model Rolexes at this time. Who here can speak to the durability of the Rolex TT (or solid) gold models?

Also, not having ever seen an all white gold model, anyone here who can say how theirs appears visually different than stainless?

Thanks all for your opinions,

Chris

Chris,

I've had gold, TT, and SS watches. I have treated them all essentially the same; and no one watch seems any worse for the wear than the other when it comes to scratches; though I've noticed scratches more on my SS watches. Of course, if I look closely, I might see finer scratches on the gold since gold does scratch easier, but from a short distance away, the gold, at least to my eye, masks the scratches with its natural color.

I haven't owned a white gold watch, but I have looked at them and held them often in shops in Tokyo. For Rolex watches, the appearance is very similar to SS, but I would bet that the WG watches maintain their luster longer than the SS watches. Also, in certain light, to my eye, the WG has a bit more bling.

Otto

[Solar]

Thanks Otto

[Solo118]

Yes it scratches, but as someone told me once: This watch will still outlive me! So wear it and enjoy it to the fullest.

[marshallr47]

I will agree that my TT versions appear to scratch easier but maybe it's because it's polished. I love my TTs. They add a certain class when wearing them.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by marshallr47

I will agree that my TT versions appear to scratch easier but maybe it's because it's polished. I love my TTs. They add a certain class when wearing them.

Totally agree with you even though i am not a TT fan

[Tombstone]

Chris, I feel Ron is right on the mark, TT versions scratch easier. The steel 904L is stronger than softer metals such as gold. I have a TT but I rarely wear it as I want to keep it looking newer. My Sea-Dweller is my daily use watch. I plan on getting scratches, dings, and someday a band replacement (as needed) it is the true cost of wearing a Rolex. IMHO.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Solar

Also, not having ever seen an all white gold model, anyone here who can say how theirs appears visually different than stainless?

Thanks all for your opinions,

Chris

WG casts a different hue than SS. It's not as bright as SS, but almost "glows" and is very attractive. The added weight is very nice too and you know you're wearing something special.

[Solar]

Originally Posted by Tombstone

Chris, I feel Ron is right on the mark, TT versions scratch easier. The steel 904L is stronger than softer metals such as gold. I have a TT but I rarely wear it as I want to keep it looking newer. My Sea-Dweller is my daily use watch. I plan on getting scratches, dings, and someday a band replacement (as needed) it is the true cost of wearing a Rolex. IMHO.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Thanks Rich and best wishes to you and yours!

Chris

[Solar]

Originally Posted by BigHat

WG casts a different hue than SS. It's not as bright as SS, but almost "glows" and is very attractive. The added weight is very nice too and you know you're wearing something special.

This interests me very much. I prefer yellow gold as jewellery, so I do not have any WG at all. Not having seen a WG Rolex outside of an AD (and I personally feel that you need to see a Rolex in the sunlight to really see its qualities), that's an interesting observation of yours.

Best,

Chris

[astcell]

My teeth are lasting longer than gold jewelry!

[Otto]

Originally Posted by astcell

My teeth are lasting longer than gold jewelry!

Gosh, Robert,

The US Navy once put a lot of gold in my mouth to 'fill in" for my teeth. If it's good enough for the Navy, it's good enough for me!

Happy holidays from another American far from home!

Otto

[chevycorvette]

Originally Posted by astcell

My teeth are lasting longer than gold jewelry!

last time i saw chad johnson gold teeth, it looks pretty shiny.

[Orchi]

Err buddies...Orchi is new here...but wishes to share some experience of having 2T...solid 18K or gold filled Rolex watches with the rest...

ALL Polished gold or SS surface of any watch tends to scratch easy...

The new centre links...of the brilliant polished Oyster bracelets n new cases/clasps/lugs especially on New Models of Rolex watches are no exceptions...

If the wearer's bare fingers or palms are not washed thoroughly clean...or if the watch is not handled with a piece of cloth or tissue paper...the polish surfaces would surely get scratched easy...

Orchi's friend recently bought a new released Ref 116718(18K Gold)/Cal. 3185 GMT Master II(50th anniversary) with Green Dial...n he has been wearing it under his long sleeve shirts all the time.

Even that gets minute scratches...

It's good to note that the new ceramic bezel insert of the GMT Master II is supposed to be scratch resistant...but the engraved gold prints on the ceramic bezel...collects dirt n dust.

[Leighton]

Originally Posted by Orchi

Err buddies...Orchi is new here.....
ALL Polish gold or SS surface of any watch tends to scratch easy.......

Welcome Orchi! Is Polish gold different than gold found in other countries?

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Leighton

Welcome Orchi! Is Polish gold different than gold found in other countries?

Of course it is, easier to Polish.

Selamat datang Orchi!

Dzien dobry Leighton!

[Orchi]

Originally Posted by Leighton

Welcome Orchi! Is Polish gold different than gold found in other countries?

Err thanks buddy for the welcome.

As little as Orchi knows...either White Gold/Yellow Gold/Rose Gold found in Rolex should be the same here too...

The processes taken by Rolex goldsmiths is little known n very complex...but generally...WG(white gold) should be stronger as it's an alloy of gold with at least one other white metal either like nickel(stronger) or palladium(softer).

For brilliant shine...a thin coat of rhodium may be added...n for strength n durability...platinum traces could be added as well.

Which is perhaps the reason why many these days have caught on to prefer WG instead of YG(yellow gold).

Rose gold(RG) like Yellow Gold(YG) could be relatively softer...due to the presence of copper alloy n silver in the latter(YG)...the more copper is added...the reddish the gold...ie the rise of Pink Gold(or RG).

However...a point to remember is that...any 18K gold parts whether YG...RG or WG could still be 'softer'(due to more gold content) than the previous 14K gold parts found in Rolex...

Middle East/Russia/former CIS country markets have preference for RG...the Far East is fast catching up...due to it's brilliance.

Over here Rolex markets both YG n RG watches with almost the same retail prices...with perhaps WG model watches selling at a less due to the SS linked bracelets rather than YG or RG linked bracelets.

Rolex with platinum is of course most costlier...

Anyone recalls the more expensive Rolex bracelet(President or Jubilee) with 4 coloured types of Gold links...? But that's a totally different story altogether.

[Orchi]

Originally Posted by Paulie

Selamat datang Orchi!

Hey buddy...very nice to know you could use 'selamat datang' in Malay language which means...'welcome'....thank you.

[Otto]

I think you are referring to the Tridor bracelet, with white, yellow, and rose gold.

[Arturo]

remember you guys, matter is matter is matter. Stuff dings. Matter degrades. You will not outlive your Rolex watches, so putting them on winders and worrying about scratches will make you sick. Just wear the watch and when and if they scratch, if you must, get them polished, although this removes metal so if you are truly OCD, just having a Rolex with gold will make you more OCD. Maybe the thing to do is wear them, live with the scratches, and then you will be living in reality, stronger, more tolerant to change, a stronger dude.....I say this as an OCD myself, learning that the scratches in my life help me more than hurt me....having some scratches is healthy. So gold is probably good for you.

[Solar]

Originally Posted by Arturo

Maybe the thing to do is wear them, live with the scratches, and then you will be living in reality, stronger, more tolerant to change, a stronger dude.....So gold is probably good for you.

This will be my rationale for a TT Blue Sub! Its a path of spiritual growth, not blatant consumerism!

Your point is actually very well taken. No, the fact that scrathces will occur more easily than on SS is not a huge worry to me, I'm just curious if its a really discernable differnece than the way SS handles. And besides, the gold looks so wonderful, I would likely go ahead and get a TT when I have the $$ regardless.

Thanks all for your input and observations, a very Merry Christmas to all, may you find a moment's peace in the hustle and bustle of the season.

Sincerely,

Chris

[watchnut]

Originally Posted by Otto

Gosh, Robert,

The US Navy once put a lot of gold in my mouth to 'fill in" for my teeth. If it's good enough for the Navy, it's good enough for me!

Happy holidays from another American far from home!

Otto

That's great, you could always hock those fillings to fund a new Rolex anytime!

[BuffaloRolex]

Originally Posted by watchnut

That's great, you could always hock those fillings to fund a new Rolex anytime!

Damn me and my natural teeth!

[watchnut]

Originally Posted by Arturo

remember you guys, matter is matter is matter. Stuff dings. Matter degrades. You will not outlive your Rolex watches, so putting them on winders and worrying about scratches will make you sick. Just wear the watch and when and if they scratch, if you must, get them polished, although this removes metal so if you are truly OCD, just having a Rolex with gold will make you more OCD. Maybe the thing to do is wear them, live with the scratches, and then you will be living in reality, stronger, more tolerant to change, a stronger dude.....I say this as an OCD myself, learning that the scratches in my life help me more than hurt me....having some scratches is healthy. So gold is probably good for you.

You hit it right on the head! I've always been obsessive about my vehicles. Park them a mile out in the parking lots, avoid every situation where they might get dinged, etc. All I've ever done is turn over a nice car to the next owner. I envy people driving Porsches and such who just drive them like any other car. Use these things, they're making more every day!

[llamaofdoom]

Gold scratches more easily, but is also easier to hand polish to a high luster.

If you want to go two tone or full gold, I recommend going with a jubilee bracelet or a strap over an oyster or president bracelet - jubilees just don't show the scratches as badly.

Unless scratches don't bother you, in which case an oyster is my favorite.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by marshallr47

I will agree that my TT versions appear to scratch easier but maybe it's because it's polished. I love my TTs. They add a certain class when wearing them.

Totally agree, Ron. And if you're careful, scratches will be kept to a minimum. I LOVE 'em!!!

[Arturo]

I love Solar's comment....good one Chris. Yes, we can justify our ascention to gold as a path to spiritual enlightenment. What a great post. Yeah, now I will have to really think about that. Let's see, YG or RG or WG....which one will help me strike down my OCD demons the quickest?????

[batdude]

funny sea story.


been in the navy (US) for about 4 years... this is circa 1992 or so...


standing in dress whites for inspection by the base admiral...all 1000 or so of us...sweating our BUTTS off in the Georgia heat.

buddy of mine... old salty bastard... looks like crap in uniform...

admiral comes up ... says "there's a lot of shit on your shoes Sailor"

He looks down at the admiral... and comes back with:

Quote

PO-LISH or POL-ISH admiral? I'm POL-ISH so I don't know the difference between SH*T and SHINOLA

Unquote

Admirals response:

Carry On, Sailor



LMAO


I still chuckle every time i think about it.




On a serious note... as relayed to me by a salty old man once...

the difference between gold and stainless in watches is EASY...

if you scratch/gouge/deform a gold cased watch... when the watch is buffed by a professional, the gold will actually REFLOW as it is heated and becomes maleable...

stainless DOES NOT.... too hard and too high of a reflow temp.

always made sense to me.



doug

[ShawnK]

I'm a stainless fan, and I've never owned a true solid gold watch. A member of our local WIS group has a gold Datejust with gold bracelet and I tried it on the other day. Man, I could not believe how much heavier it seemed than a stainless DJ. I was really surprised!

When you figure the cost of gold per ounce these days, it is a little easier to realize why the gold and platinum Rolexes cost so much more.