Ornaments have always been more valuable when gold is added; this is due to their potential as well as how much they already cost. Because of the circumstances we subject watches to while we wear them, they are also resistant to a variety of substances, including chemicals, heat, air, and water.
The two-tone watch period does not appear to be ending anytime soon, despite how quickly trends and fashion seem to come and go. Since two-tone watches have been around for so long, there is a lot of discussion over which ones are the finest to buy.
ABOUT TWO-TONE WATCHES
The strap and bezel of these watches are typically composed of one metal, whereas the case and other components are typically made of a different metal. Yellow gold and stainless steel are the most common materials.
The most popular two-tone watches, however, continue to be those made of gold and stainless steel. Some more recent models are also available in various tones of gold, bronze, titanium, platinum, and other precious metals.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
The best feature of two-tone timepieces is how striking they are compared to watches constructed of a single metal. Additionally, it is observed that they are more expensive, however occasionally the market disagrees. For instance, they appear to be more expensive at retail, but in the secondary market, it’s frequently the opposite.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is an excellent example; the stainless steel version of this watch costs around $42,000, while the two-tone one goes for just under $40,000. There is still debate among many collectors regarding whether single-metal watches are preferred or whether two-toned watches are more affordable.
HISTORY OF TWO-TONE WATCHES
As watchmakers tried to create fresh designs for their timepieces, this style of watchmaking emerged in the early 20th century. Due to the use of Art Deco and other materials in the creation of jewellery and other ornamentation in the 1930s and 1940s, two-tone timepieces had a brief rise in popularity.
Between the 1950s and 1960s, watch manufacturers like Rolex and OMEGA began offering the two-toned version of some of their watches. By creating the Datejust model in 1945 and a two-toned variant in the 1950s, for instance, Rolex paved the path for other companies like Patek Philippe, Cartier, and OMEGA to follow suit.
The watch industry changed during the 1970s and 1980s as designers became more inventive. To further enhance the beauty of watches, materials such as diamonds, white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, and other valuable stones were added.
Newer watch makers began utilising the two-tone watchmaking technique as the years went by, and they eventually developed it into what we see today. The list below will highlight the top watches from this category that are still available today.
THE BEST TWO TONE WATCHES
1. Rolex Submariner Date (Ref. 126613LB)
Like the previous Rolex models, this one is a 41mm Submariner and only comes in the two-toned variation. This watch is one of the most beloved Rolexes ever thanks to its gorgeous blue dial. The watch’s case and strap are both constructed from stainless steel and 18-karat yellow gold.
Its dimensions are 48.1mm from lug to lug, 12.8mm in height, and 20mm in lug width. It is powered by the automatic Rolex 3235 movement. The lettering and hands on the dial are in the same gold as the gold coating that surrounds the watch.
2. Cartier Santos Medium (Ref. W2SA0016)
It’s amazing how much attention to detail went into this clock. Although many rectangular watches are similar to one another, Cartier tends to set its models apart from the competition. The case of this watch measures 35.1mm in diameter, 9.4mm in thickness, and 41.9mm from lug to lug.
The watch’s bezel and band are constructed of 18-carat gold and stainless steel. It has an 1847 MC calibre and is an automatic winding watch. It is the medium-sized Santos De Cartier watch and has a 100-meter water resistance.
3. Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph (Ref. 5980/1AR)
Luxury and practicality are continually combined in Patek Phillipe watches. With a diameter of 40.5mm, this stainless steel 18-karat rose gold watch has a striking presence. It is 12.4mm thick, which is thicker than the typical Patek and has a lug-to-lug distance of 51.4mm.
The bracelet from Patek fits both large and small wrists perfectly thanks to its double-deployment clasps. The rose gold hands and indexes of this Nautilus Chronograph watch contrast with the blue sunburst face. A Calibre CH 28520 C/522 automatic chronograph movement powers the watch and has a 55-hour power reserve.
4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (Ref. 15450SR.OO.1256SR.01)
With a 37mm case, this watch blends red gold and stainless steel. It lacks the thickness of the majority of watches that meet this requirement. It measures 9.8mm thick and 46.8mm wide from lug to lug. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak line of watches is well known for its superior craftsmanship.
The model’s extremely sturdy bracelet and clasp are the same. The watch’s screws make it a very secure, distinctive appearance, but ever since the original design became popular, numerous companies seem to be attempting to imitate it. The watch is entirely self-winding, and the bottom of the case features a Chronograph display, adding intricacy to its appearance.
The dial is white with a rose gold backdrop, rose gold hands, and nighttime-illuminating indicators. It includes a 60-hour power reserve and a 3120 calibre built-in house with up to 50 metres of water resistance.
5. Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G (REF. M79833MN-0001)
Most watchmakers struggle to create watches with three or more colours that look great, but Tudor worked their magic with the Black Bay GMT S&G. The dial, bezel, lettering, and hands on the watch’s front are a blend of gold, brown, white, and black hues. It sports a 41mm steel case and a band made of steel and yellow gold.
The domed sapphire crystal at the top crowns the 14.6mm-thick timepiece. The watch has a self-winding MT5652 calibre movement. It can withstand 200 metres of water and has a 70-hour power backup.
6. Breitling Super Chronomat 44 Four-Year Calendar (Ref. U19320161C1U1)
This clock is the fantasy of many collectors. The Swiss item is made of stainless steel and 18-karat red gold. With a weight of 239.0 grammes and a thickness of 14.5mm, it is a substantial watch. It boasts a ceramic bezel insert and a distinctive appearance thanks to a combination of red, gold, and white on the numerals, text, and dial.
It measures 22.0mm in height and 53.5mm from lug to lug. This timepiece is driven by the Breitling Calibre 19 with a 70-hour power reserve and features a subdial for the day, date, month, and moon phase.
7. Omega Seamaster Diver 300m (Ref. 210.20.42.20.01.002)
Contrary to two-tone watches, most single-metal watches receive less attention for their bezels. The bezel of a two-tone piece, like this Omega Seamaster model, which has 18-karat gold and stainless steel integrated into it, is expertly crafted. This black ceramic unidirectional bezel has gold numerals and indexes and is decorated with these.
The Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 is the movement of the watch. The Diver 300M has a 42mm diameter, a 49.9mm lug-to-lug distance, and a 13.6mm thickness. It has stunning two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold bracelet, scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on both sides with anti-reflective treatments, etc.
8. Grand Seiko Hi-Beat (Ref. SBGH252)
There aren’t many Grand Seiko Hi-Beat watches available because they are limited edition. This watch has a stainless steel and yellow gold combination. It is driven by the 55-hour power reserve Seiko 9S85 high-beat automatic calibre. Its 40mm diameter and 13.8mm thickness make it suitable for smaller wrists as well.
With a stainless steel case, a gold bezel, and gold indices and writing, it has a white dial. Its bracelet is made of stainless steel with gold accents in between.
9. Glashutte Original SeaQ (Ref. 1-39-11-10-90-34)
The Spezimatic RPTS 200, the company’s first diving watch, served as the model for this timepiece. It has a case diameter of 39.5mm, a lug-to-lug distance of 47.3mm, and a thickness of 12.15mm. It is composed of steel and yellow gold. Because it is not excessively large for a woman’s wrist, it is regarded as a unisex watch.
It has a ceramic insert, a unidirectional bezel, and a screw-down crown. It has a date function on its blue dial, which has sunburst decorations on the surface. An automated movement with a 40-hour power reserve and 20-bar water resistance powers the Original SeaQ.
10. Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 (Ref. 400 7769 6355-07 4 22 75FC)
The rubber band and glossy dial of this watch have drawn criticism from some collectors. However, as the watch includes an additional stainless steel strap, you can switch from commanding serious respect to outdoor activities partner.
The watch’s dimensions are 41.5mm in diameter, 13.5mm in thickness, and 48mm from lug to lug. The self-winding calibre can be seen clearly through the sapphire case back. This 18-karat gold watch is available in green and blue colours and has a very simple technique for removing the strap.
The dial contains hands and indexes that glow in the dark and is the same colour as the straps. It boasts a remarkable 5-day power reserve and a 300-meter water resistance.
11. Longines HydroConquest (Ref. L3.781.3.06.7)
The somewhat smaller strap gives this watch, which was designed for males, a more feminine appearance. It has a 41mm casing with a top sapphire crystal and a unidirectional ceramic bezel.
The very thing that gives the wristwatch its presence its spike of beauty is that the bracelet and case are both made of stainless steel with a touch of PVD gold finishing. Its self-winding L888 calibre has a power reserve of 72 hours.
12. TAG HEUER Aquaracer (Ref. WBD2120.BB0930)
When you wear this wristwatch, people will most likely comment on how stylish and useful it is for a sports watch. It has the upscale appearance that all two-toned models aspire to thanks to its stainless steel case with a gold bezel and gold accent running through the centre of the band.
It sports a 41mm case with a shiny blue dial whose colour changes depending on the angle at which light hits it. The thickness of this watch is 11.90mm, and its lugs are 50mm apart. It is an automatic watch with a date feature, a 38-hour power reserve, and luminescent hands and indexes.
13. Zenith Chronomaster Sport (Ref. 51.3100.3600/69.M3100)
This watch is a high-beat wristwatch that also features the classic Zenith El Primero calibre. It has a 41mm diameter and a silver sunray dial with three different display features, including tiny seconds at 9 o’clock, a 60-second counter, and two 60-minute counters.
It sports a 13.6mm thick watch casing and a 46.8mm lug to lug distance. Both stainless steel and 18-karat rose gold were used to create this housing. It is 100m water resistant and has a 60-hour power backup.
14. Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 (Ref. T927.407.46.291.00)
Although this watch is less spectacular than most on this list, it is nevertheless well-made. It is driven by the renowned and superb Swiss Powermatic 80 movement, which has an 80-hour power reserve. Its case measures 40mm in diameter, 49mm from lug to lug, and 10.6mm in thickness.
It has a stainless steel case and a bezel plated in 18-karat rose gold. It provides curious visitors with a wonderful display with its domed sapphire crystal top and transparent case back.
15. Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT (Ref. ZO9406)
The Super Sea Wolf Zodiac For regular travellers, GMT has a fourth hand on the dial that tracks a second time zone. The bezel is a complete kit for nomads because it can track a third time zone. It has an automatic movement and a dome-shaped sapphire crystal on top.
The dimensions of this two-tone watch are 40mm in diameter, 47.8mm from lug to lug, and 13.6mm in case thickness. Both a stainless steel and a gold PVD variant are available. The Super Sea Wolf GMT is 200 metres water resistant.
CONCLUSION
Due to how expensive, eye-catching, and feminine they appear, two-tone timepieces are frequently linked to women. However, many of the most powerful and influential men might benefit much from drawing attention to their shiny wrist companion, and these watches excel at the job of an excellent conversation starter.
At the very least, their vibrant colours attract attention. Therefore, if you’ve had your eye on a two-tone watch for a while, think again before making the buy because you’ll be envied and admired when wearing your new accessory.
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