In today's watch community, steel is king.
The most sought-after luxury watches in the world are stainless steel sports watches, from the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak to the Rolex Daytona and GMT Master II. Despite the immense popularity of steel, there is still room for gold watches in modern collections. The best gold watches today are a diverse group, as this metal is no longer confined to dress watches. Whether you need gold divers, chronographs, or digital watches, you can find them. And if you choose a watch from our guide, it is sure to look stunning.
For our guide to the best gold watches for men, we've explored various gold-tone watch models across different price ranges, shades, and materials. Some are traditional, others a bit more unusual, and some even reimagine classic models or platforms in a new material. But all of them add a touch of chic and glamour to your wardrobe, whether they cost $70 or $70,000 (yes, we have watches at both ends of this spectrum). So, take a look at the best gold watches for men and take a break from steel.
How Gold Are Your Gold Watches?
When considering gold watches, it's important to note that not all gold watches are created equal. There are several different levels of gold content in gold-tone watches, which can be confusing. So, we've described all the differences below.
- Gold Tone: This terminology can be found on inexpensive gold-tone watches and means that there is either no real gold in the material or it is below the threshold required to meet the criteria for other classifications, such as gold plating. Due to the lack of real gold, these watches are generally much more affordable.
- Gold Plated: Traditional gold plating is rarely used in modern watches but is often found on vintage pieces. It involves applying a microscopically thin layer of gold onto a base metal (usually steel, when it comes to watches), achieving the appearance of gold without using a large amount of gold material. However, due to the thinness and softness of gold as a material, gold plating can easily scratch, which is why it is rarely found in watches today.
- Gold PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, is a more modern process that has largely replaced gold plating in the watch industry. It is a high-tech procedure in which gold is vaporized in a vacuum and bonded to the base material, usually steel, at an atomic level. Because the gold is bonded to the base material, PVD coatings are much more durable than traditional gold plating and are much harder to scratch off.
- Solid Gold: The most traditional material for gold watches - and the only one some purists will consider - is solid gold. As you might have guessed, these are watch cases and/or bracelets made of pure gold without using a base material. Typically, solid gold watches are made from an 18-carat alloy for added strength. They are more fragile than stainless steel watches and usually cost thousands of dollars more because, as is well known, gold is expensive.
Casio Vintage A168WG-9VT
Affordable and in a retro style, these digital Casio watches look like they're straight out of the '80s.
In the '80s, Casio dominated the digital watch market, and more recently, it has been releasing retro reissues. These quartz watches from the Vintage Collection, symbolizing the brand's heyday and costing just $70, feature a gold-tone case and a self-adjusting stainless steel strap, so you don't need any additional tools. The dial with a 7-year battery life displays time, day, and date, and the watch is equipped with a stopwatch function and classic EL backlight for nighttime visibility.
- Case Size: 38.6 mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Gold Type: Gold Tone
Timex Q Timex Reissue
Q Timex Reissue are some of the best budget everyday watches. This version features a striking gold-tone case and dark blue dial.
The popular retro quartz Timex watches first debuted in a Pepsi color scheme with a stainless steel bezel and became a company bestseller. Since then, the American brand has released several more versions of the watch, and few are more attractive than this yellow gold version. A great dress option with a dark blue dial and date display, these flashy quartz watches are equipped with a matching 12-hour bezel capable of tracking two time zones simultaneously.
- Case Size: 38 mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Gold Type: Gold Tone
Bulova Computron
The Computron from Bulova is one of the most unique watches in history, with its angular digital time display and undeniable retro charm.
Debuting in 1976, the Computron from Bulova was one of the first digital watches. The company recently reissued these watches, combining a thin red LED dial with a wedge-shaped angular gold-tone case. Today, they look as radical and retro-futuristic as they did 45 years ago. The watches do not resemble traditional ones and definitely know how to stand out in a crowd. If you're looking for something completely unique yet rich in history, the Computron is what you need.
- Case Size: 31 mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Gold Type: Gold Tone
Seiko 5 Sports SRPE74
These monochrome Seiko 5 Sports watches, infused with gold, punch above their price.
Few retro watches are more revered than the Seiko 5 Sports line. Emerging in 1968 as a spin-off of the Sportsmatic 5 model, the 5 Sports became a symbol of the brand's design language and the future of sports watchmaking. Over the years, countless iterations have been released, but this all-gold version from the Japanese brand is one of our favorites. Appearing as if they've been lacquered to preserve color, these gold-toned watches cost just over $400. The watches boast 100m water resistance and are equipped with a caliber 4R36 movement with automatic and manual winding.
- Case Size: 42.5 mm
- Movement: Manual/Automatic
- Gold Type: Gold Tone
G-SHOCK Full Metal 5000 Gold
These gold G-SHOCKs shine brightly without sacrificing the classic appeal of the line.
Not long ago, G-SHOCK was known exclusively for bulky black resin watches better suited for special forces missions than a night out in the city. But the brand is rapidly changing, and there are now plenty of fashionable G-SHOCKs (don't worry, they still make military watches). The most notable of the brand's new models is their all-metal line, which shines brightest - literally - with ion-plated gold treatment.
- Case Size: 49.3 mm x 43.2 mm
- Movement: Quartz
- Gold Type: PVD (Ion Plated)
Seiko Prospex “Alpinist” Gold
One of Seiko's biggest hits, the Alpinist, is popular among climbers and continues to be reissued by popular demand.
Seiko really knows how to make the most of a good thing. The Alpinist is a perennial favorite, with classic styling, reliable specs, and mountaineering roots stretching back decades. Naturally, Seiko can't stop releasing new versions of this watch. One of the latest is this gold-plated model. The watch resembles the classic SARB017 model with a green sunburst dial and gold-plated hands and indices, but it has become even sharper thanks to the yellow gold PVD coating applied to the case.
- Case Size: 39.5 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: PVD
Zodiac Olympos
A unique reissue, the Zodiac in a gold PVD case takes us back to beloved '60s watches with a manta ray case and swan neck regulator.
As this guide shows, gold watches are no longer just for dress occasions. There are gold sports and digital watches - you just saw five of them. But gold still looks best on dress watches, and Zodiac makes fantastic ones. As an exact reissue of the 1960s Olympos model, the modern Zodiac retains the original manta ray-shaped case and an overdose of gold. The gold PVD case competes with gold hands, gold indices, and a polished gold cross-dial to create a stylish retro watch look.
- Case Size: 37 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: PVD
Mido Ocean Star 200
One of the most underrated Swiss dive models, the Ocean Star from Mido is coated in rose gold PVD, with standard 200m water resistance and an 80-hour power reserve.
Mido is one of the most underrated Swiss watch companies, and naturally, their Ocean Star is one of the most underrated Swiss dive watches. This is especially true for this stunning rose gold version. The watch combines an 80-hour automatic movement and 200-meter water resistance with rose gold PVD coating, as well as a high-quality black rubber strap with a curved end and a folding clasp with rose gold PVD coating. The watch looks very striking, reminiscent of the $27,300 Rolex Yachtmaster in Everose Gold, but for less than 4% of the price.
- Case Size: 42.5 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: PVD
Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic
The stylish Intra-Matic from Hamilton reissues a mid-century favorite with domed glass, a curved minute hand, and plenty of retro elements.
In the mid-20th century, watch style reached a sort of aesthetic peak, and Hamilton decided to look to the past, creating the Intra-Matic reissue based on its flagship 1960s watch of the same name. The American Classic model with domed sapphire glass and an automatic movement based on ETA is simple and pristine: a 42-mm gold PVD case, a beautiful minimalist silver dial with a small date window at “6”, a goatskin leather strap, and tons of unabashed retro style.
- Case Size: 42 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: PVD
Tissot Excellence Automatic 18K Gold
Tissot proves its value for money excellence with these 18k gold watches.
Recently, Tissot has been impressively standing out with its value for money, especially among other Swiss brands where they truly stand out from the crowd. And these watches might be the best example of that, as it's a Swiss-made automatic watch from a legendary brand in a solid 18-carat gold case for under $3,000. You read that right. Solid. Gold. At this price, it's simply unheard of. In addition to the precious metal, you also get a beautifully crafted ETA 2892 movement that can be seen through the case back.
- Case Size: 39.8 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: Solid 18-Carat
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K
Tudor equips its iconic Black Bay with a massive 18-carat gold case and vintage-style diving quality.
If Tudor is known for anything, it's that nobody knows what Tudor is going to do. The younger sibling of Rolex knows how to take an unconventional approach to watch releases, and that's exactly what the brand did at Watches & Wonders 2021, releasing a solid gold iteration of their popular Black Bay dive watches. Solid gold divers, while not unheard of, are rare - especially from a brand focused on tool watches like Tudor. But the BB watches look surprisingly good in a yellow 18-carat case. The precious metal gives the vintage-style diver a sense of luxury and reminds collectors that Tudor is more than just Rolex Jr.
- Case Size: 39 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: Solid 18 Carat
Piaget Altiplano
The simple yet beautiful Altiplano by Piaget is perhaps the most classic use of gold in a watch.
Perhaps the most classic application of gold in watches is simple, thin, solid gold watches. No strangers to slim watches - the 4.3-mm Altiplano Ultimate 910P in 2018 briefly held the record as the world's thinnest automatic watch - these watches by Piaget are only 6.4 mm thick, making them very elegant. Furthermore, these watches are unrelentingly traditional in their execution: stick hands and indices, no seconds hand, manual winding movement, alligator leather strap, and, of course, a solid rose gold case.
- Case Size: 38 mm
- Movement: Manual
- Gold Type: Solid 18-Carat
Rolex Day-Date
The gold Rolex Day-Date watches are legendary enough to earn a place on any list, especially this one.
Let's be honest, these are probably the watches you think of when you imagine gold watches. The stereotypical wrist adornment of movie mobsters, Wall Street wolves, world leaders, and septuagenarian yacht owners, the “President” has been the absolute symbol of wealth and power for half a century, partly because it is only available in solid platinum or Rolex's own cast gold - no steel versions. The fluted bezel, rounded three-link bracelet, and date dial are all iconic elements, and today, the watches remain as much of a status symbol as ever.
- Case Size: 36 or 40 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: Solid 18-Carat
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Sedna Gold
This version of the iconic Speedmaster features a case material that combines gold, copper, and palladium, named after the red dwarf planet.
The Speedmaster is perhaps the most iconic watch in the world, and, naturally, Omega is not shy about constantly releasing new versions. By early 2021, the brand had revamped its flagship Moonwatch Professional, equipping it with a METAS-certified Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement and several stylistic upgrades. Moreover, they released this version of the new Moonwatch in their proprietary Sedna Gold material. Combining gold, copper, and palladium, named after one of the reddest objects in our Solar System, Sedna makes a suitable and luxurious case for a space-traveling chronograph.
- Case Size: 42 mm
- Movement: Hand-Wound Chronograph
- Gold Type: Solid 18-Carat
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
Synonymous with sports watches with integrated bracelets, the AP Royal Oak has a grail-worthy 18-carat gold case that contrasts attractively with a black dial.
It might seem odd to see the Royal Oak on a list of the best gold watches. After all, the fame of these sports watches with integrated bracelets comes from being the first luxury watches in history made of stainless steel. But the Royal Oak has significantly expanded its steel origins and is now available in a variety of materials, none more striking than this rose gold version with a black dial, ref. 15500OR.OO.1220OR.01. The combination with the signature AP finishing and bracelet makes these watches an increasingly popular status symbol among jet-setters.
- Case Size: 41 mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Gold Type: Solid 18-Carat