Top 5 Gold Watches You Should Consider Purchasing
6 min read
Gold, as a metal is absolutely integral to the Indian tradition and let's be honest, we being Indians, love gold. From investing in gold-bars, gold ornaments to gold coins, the onset of Diwali is the time to glitter. As per a recent IBJA survey, the sale of gold during *Dhanteras in 2020 was 30% more than in 2019. In fact, according to the IBJA official, gold sales in India could even break the four-decade-old record this year since people haven't really travelled much in the recent past.
However, when it comes to watches, it is imperative to point out that the price of the watch doesn't merely depend on the metal used. In fact, sometimes steel watches are priced relatively higher. What adds value to the watch is the craftsmanship that reflects on the inner workings and finishing of the timepiece. As we kick off Diwali with the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, here are some of the best gold watches we recommend for every taste and occasion.
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Rolex : Day - Date
You just can't go wrong with the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, the President's watch. Worn by many of the world’s political figures, directors and visionaries, the Day-Date is instantly recognisable, well thanks to its emblematic President bracelet. The Day-Date’s calendar displays the day of the week which is available in a choice of 26 languages is spelt out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock in addition to the date in a separate window at 3 o’clock. Presented in a water-resistant case, featuring a fluted bezel this 40mm beauty is an obvious choice for those considering their first "gold" watch, that is of course if you are lucky enough to find one.
2. Cartier : The Maillon de Cartier
Yes, not the Santos or the Tank but the gorgeous chain-link bracelet watch Maillon de Cartier is next on our list. A precious watch that resides in the creative watchmaking repertoire of the Maison. A bracelet whose chain-links are offset and aligned on the bias by Cartier. Well-rounded and opulent, they move in time with the ultra-feminine elegance of the Maillon de Cartier watch. It's tangible, angular and dense volume incites Cartier’s ambition to structure the watch, from the form of its links to its faceted case, radicalising the spirit of the watch. This twisted glitterati, available in three versions is quite a unique gold addition to accentuate any watch box.
3. Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reverso One Duetto Jewellery
Two faces, two personalities, that is the Duetto for you. This one here is a spectacular pink gold gem-set Reverso One. Just like the ladies cocktail watches from 1930, the dial of the watch is slightly more elongated in comparison to the original Reverso case. While the front of the dial is a mother-of-pearl with Arabic numerals, flip it to devour a pink gold dial decorated with a lozenge pattern with diamonds. This small wonder houses the compact Calibre 844 with a 38-hour power reserve. Truly an ingenious two-faced wonder. I mean if you are looking at adding a Reverso to your collection, why not step it up a notch?
4. Audemars Piguet : Royal Oak Chronograph
This hexagon 41mm pink gold Royal Oak Chronograph is a masterstroke! Tell me that chocolate brown dial with the 'Grande Tapesserie' pattern accentuated with pink gold counters and an integrated bracelet didn't make your heart skip and beat. The Royal Oak is not "just" another gold watch but an integral piece of Haute horology. Just look at the finishing on this one, from the brushing, polishing to the bevelling, powered by Calibre 2385 with a 40-hour power reserve, this one is undoubtedly on the absolute forefront of chronographs. With a history that commands attention since 1972 this must-have modern icon nicknamed "the Beast" deserves all the hype and respect it gets from watch collectors globally. It's not a watch, it's a solid gold Royal Oak.
5. Patek Philippe : Nautilus 5990/1R
The Nautilus 5990/1R hits it right out of the park - a generous 40.5mm rose gold version contrasting with a striking blue sunburst dial, embossed with a horizontal pattern and applied hour-markers. Featuring a self-winding flyback chronograph with an easy-to-use Travel Time function, this one indicates two different timezones at just a glance. The two apertures "Local" and "Home" are the day and night indicators with a discreet date corrector at 1'o'clock. Besides being one of Patek Phillipe's most hyped watches, this particular Nautilus is quite a versatile watch. Depending on the light it faces the blue dial dances in different hues of blue making it ideal for almost any occasion.
Although steel watches seem to be in much demand, gold somehow embodies a symbol of status and achievement. Have you succumbed to the potent allure of gold watches yet?
*Dhanteras - Celebrated on November 2nd this year, the first day of Diwali, it is a day considered auspicious to buy gold & silver, plan new investments and start new businesses. The word 'Dhan' means wealth and 'Theras' translates to thirteen related to the 13th Lunar day of the 'Krishna Paksha' as per the Hindu Calendar.
