As someone who grew up in the US in the eighties, in a house made in the eighties, the primary association I had with yellow gold was the ugly yellow gold brass fixtures that were used on lighting, faucets, door knobs, etc. That hardware didn’t age in a particularly pleasing way either and it really put me off on yellow gold, even outside of some of the more garish social contexts you talk about.
If you had asked me 14 years ago when I first got into watches what my first precious metal watch would be, I would have definitely said rose gold or platinum. But as of late, I have found myself looking at Neo-vintage in yellow gold…but I can’t help but wonder if that’s just my inner bargain seeker, looking for that because I think there are deals to be had?
I did in fact buy my first precious metal watch a month ago (I’m a late bloomer), as I’ve never really felt the need to have a nice dress watch before. It was actually in rose gold despite my recent leanings, but the purchase decision was based more on the entire package of how the particular dial design/color matched so well with the case metal.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I had not thought about the gold brass fixtures! That is so true! I guess it is not unlike the rose gold coloured food mixers from a few years ago!
I think it should be noted that this whole article is written from the viewpoint of someone who lives in the "west". In Greater Asia and the Middle East, yellow gold never left the building.
yellow is brighter and louder than rose (especially rolex everose which is a rather dark alloy), there is no debate about that. and rose looks better against darker skin-tones, to my eyes anyway.
but rolex are still fully committed to yellow-gold, probably the only brand left that hasn’t transitioned mostly to rose. and that tells me there’s still plenty of demand for yellow, maybe not with the insta watchfam, but certainly with the average consumers of luxury goods.
Valid points, my most recent acquisitions come in yellow gold from the early 2000’s and I’m in love with the alloy. I also believe that wearing a gold watch on the wrist today conveys a completely different message than it did previously at any point in history - or I hope at least
Good article.
While I can understand that fashions change, what I can't understand is the extent to which most brands have abandoned yellow gold.
While the watches you cite, the 222 and the Polo 70, were huge hits, Vacheron only has a single other current reference in yellow and Piaget 2.
Lange who launched exclusively in yellow gold now has only 4 of 92 models in yellow, the limited Datograph Handwekskunst, and 3 "Flagship Exclusives".
Meanwhile the 2 brands that are still strong in yellow gold, Rolex and Cartier, sell more watches than anyone else.
It doesn't make a lot of sense.
agreed it is very odd. I was looking at JLC and they don’t sell any yellow gold watches!
As someone who grew up in the US in the eighties, in a house made in the eighties, the primary association I had with yellow gold was the ugly yellow gold brass fixtures that were used on lighting, faucets, door knobs, etc. That hardware didn’t age in a particularly pleasing way either and it really put me off on yellow gold, even outside of some of the more garish social contexts you talk about.
If you had asked me 14 years ago when I first got into watches what my first precious metal watch would be, I would have definitely said rose gold or platinum. But as of late, I have found myself looking at Neo-vintage in yellow gold…but I can’t help but wonder if that’s just my inner bargain seeker, looking for that because I think there are deals to be had?
I did in fact buy my first precious metal watch a month ago (I’m a late bloomer), as I’ve never really felt the need to have a nice dress watch before. It was actually in rose gold despite my recent leanings, but the purchase decision was based more on the entire package of how the particular dial design/color matched so well with the case metal.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I had not thought about the gold brass fixtures! That is so true! I guess it is not unlike the rose gold coloured food mixers from a few years ago!
I think it should be noted that this whole article is written from the viewpoint of someone who lives in the "west". In Greater Asia and the Middle East, yellow gold never left the building.
When was the last time one could buy a yellow gold nautilus?
yellow is brighter and louder than rose (especially rolex everose which is a rather dark alloy), there is no debate about that. and rose looks better against darker skin-tones, to my eyes anyway.
but rolex are still fully committed to yellow-gold, probably the only brand left that hasn’t transitioned mostly to rose. and that tells me there’s still plenty of demand for yellow, maybe not with the insta watchfam, but certainly with the average consumers of luxury goods.
Valid points, my most recent acquisitions come in yellow gold from the early 2000’s and I’m in love with the alloy. I also believe that wearing a gold watch on the wrist today conveys a completely different message than it did previously at any point in history - or I hope at least
Great article!!! Thank you.