26 Best Yellow Gold Watches From Affordable to Luxury
Yellow gold has been a precious metal that traces back millennia. Its value has been historically high, which makes it a staple metal for jewelry and watches. We put together a list of our favorite yellow gold watches, but we understand that not everyone wants to break the bank for the watches made of precious metals. So, we compiled a mix of our favorite yellow gold-plated pieces that are more favorable in price and our favorite solid gold pieces that can be passed down through generations. There’s an offering for everyone on this list, so lets get into it.
Gold Plated Watches
Accutron Legacy Automatic
Price: $1,550 USD; Case Size: 38.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Accutron Legacy collection is inspired through their 1960s and 70s timepieces that followed the fashion and style of that era. Specifically, it is a reiteration of their “261” 1971 model. It still retains the cushion case with sharp angles and lugs, crown at 4 o’clock and its 38.5mm case size. The case shape was influenced by the rise of TVs in homes and their unique shape. In the 1960s Accutron had been introduced as part of Bulova’s collection, and are now their own stand-alone brand continuing to bring innovations and modern techniques to the watch industry, with prices that won’t break the bank. You can get this gold tone 600 limited edition timepiece for $1,550 USD.
Tissot PRX Quartz
Price: $475 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
Introduced in 1978 the Tissot PRX has been making a comeback and for good reason. The slender tonneau shape and integrated bracelet give this piece a sleek look, while the offering of a 35mm and 40mm give versatility on many wrists. The yellow gold coated model features a matching gold dial with small date window. The whole piece flows together nicely in its minimal monochromatic style. Tissot is one of the industry’s largest Swiss-Made manufacturers dating back to 1853 so they know a thing or two about creating timeless and efficient watches. And if yellow-gold isn’t quite what you’re looking for they have other colorway options, including stainless steel. This model is available for $475 USD.
Casio A168WG
Price: $69.95 USD; Case Size: 38.6 × 36.3mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Resin.
This Casio model is an icon in the Casio family. Not only is it a super affordable timepiece, but one that is a go to for many watch enthusiasts and beginners - Even though a number of enthusiast circles consider it a "Hipster" watch. The model sits in their vintage collection and really embodies the look of a watch from the past. As most Casio’s it is a digital piece that features time in 12 and 24-hour, alarm, calendar, stopwatch, timer, and more. With the retail price of just $69.95 USD, it’s great to add to any collection.
Casio G-Shock CasiOak GMB2100GD-9A
Price: $600 USD; Case Size: 44.4mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Solar; Crystal: Mineral.
Another easily recognizable watch is the Casio G-Shock. With a plethora of models to choose from, G-Shock is a popular option for many watch buyers especially with their accessible prices. There really is a model for every taste and style. Usually built to be durable for most every condition the cases can at times be bulky, but they still offer options for small and large wrists. The GMB2100GD-9A on our list is a deep yellow gold tone, almost bronze like, which features a handsome dark grey dial. In true G-Shock fashion the piece is both digital and analog and will keep you going on all your adventures, even if gold isn't necessarily the most practical sport watch option. It retails for $600 USD.
Zodiac Olympos
Price: $895 USD; Case Size: 37mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Gold and black have always paired well together. So, the yellow gold-plated case and black leather combo of the Zodiac Olympos sit nicely on this dress watch. The staple Zodiac manta ray shaped case adds a nice point of difference and gives the piece more character. The crown situated at the 2 o’clock also makes it more unique, and easier to set without challenging the shape of the case. Yet, the piece overall is minimal with its gold crosshair dial, and gold indices giving it a modern and clean feel. The piece is available for $895 USD.
Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto
Price: $1,095 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Hamilton is an expert at recreating their vintage pieces for today’s modern world(One of their most popular being the Khaki Field). The Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic model embodies a more post-war, mid-century aesthetic, with the yellow gold and black combination adding to its charm. The silver dial contrasts beautifully with the gold case and the slim indices and hands create a cohesive clean look. It retails for $1,095 USD.
Rado Captain Cook
Price: $2,550 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The 1960s was an impactful era in the watch world as innovative techniques introduced newer design and function. Another piece on our list inspired from that generation is the Rado Captain Cook dive watch. Its look is a little more modern and sporty compared to the previous (mostly) dress watches listed, but still features it' s nice yellow gold plating. The biggest contrast is the deep green dial and ceramic bezel insert, supposedly reminiscent of the deep sea - Though, we simply find the colorway lovely. Yellow gold might not be the first colorway that comes to mind when thinking of a dive watch, but it works nicely here, and who said you need to be a diver to enjoy it? Wear this piece on a night out or a day in the water. It is available for $2,550 USD.
Orient Bambino
Price: $285 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Mineral.
The Orient Bambino is a great candidate for an elegant gold-plated dress watch that won’t have you digging deep into your pockets. We're huge fans of Orient Watches here at Wrist Enthusiast, because they create high quality watches with automatic movements, refined cases, bracelets, and straps without the obscene price tag you often see in "Entry Level" watches. The Bambino is a perfect example of that sentiment. Its classic refined look is displayed through the gold tone case, white dial, and brown leather strap color combination. This Japanese brand goes back to the 1950s, and many of their movements are even created in house. It's really hard to argue with Orient's value here. It retails for $285 USD.
Timex Q Diver
Price: $143 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Acrylic.
If you’re in search of an inexpensive yellow gold dress watch the Timex Q Driver is a great option. When the Timex Q Reissues were released, they quickly became a fan favorite and are offered in a variety of colorways. The one on this list is the yellow gold-plated case and bracelet. The navy blue dial and bezel add a bold pop of color to gold piece, while classic white markers on the dial give this piece a contemporary feel with its integrated bracelet elevating it. The aesthetic is inspired through dive watches, but with a 50m water resistance it’s meant more for a light swim. The Timex Q Diver is a great option for all ages and wrist sizes, with its slimmer 38mm case it can comfortably fit a smaller wrist. The piece is available for $143 USD.
Citizen Eco-Drive Corso
Price: $316 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Eco-Drive (Solar); Crystal: Sapphire.
We always love a timepiece that not only looks great, works great, but is environmentally conscious. The Corso delivers on all of this. The collection is powered by Eco-Drive solar power technology, so the watch never needs a battery change. The design details are displayed through the octagonal case making this an altogether clean and minimal watch at a great price. While it is a little sportier, it does fit well on a night out too. It’s priced at $316 USD.
Movado 1881 Automatic
Price: $1,295 USD; Case Size: 39.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Movado is best known for its museum dial with the iconic round marker at 12 o’clock. The brand’s roots trace back to 1881 Switzerland, but the famous museum dial wasn’t designed until 1947 by Nathan George Horwitt - Which can also be found in the MoMA’s permanent collection. The Movado 1881 Automatic is slim and sleek in its 39.5mm size and monochromatic (all black and gold) style with the textured dial adding a little flair and contrast. It makes a great unisex option. This piece is available for $1,295 USD.
Brew Metric Gold
Price: $475 USD; Case Size: 36mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Meca-Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to 1970s inspired watches, perhaps nobody does it better than Brew. And the gold-toned Metric has been a favorite of ours since its release. The watch keeps the vintage design cues of the original Metric with the cushion case and the single link bracelet, but modernizes it a bit with a yellow gold case and bracelet and black dial with touches of gold. It reminds us of the gold Casios of the 70s and 80s but elevates the design to the next level. This Brew Metric Gold is available for $475 USD.
Solid Gold Watches
Rolex Submariner
Price: $39,000 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Crystal:
The Submariner is arguably Rolex's most iconic model, but there are so many colorways over the course of time, which option fits best? Well, we find that the all gold colorway on this piece is the first detail that stands out. The blue dial and blue Cerachrom bezel contrast nicely with the 18k yellow gold case and bracelet. The uncluttered dial displays the hours in differently shaped markers to give a simple reading of time while underwater. Another effective feature is the Chromalight luminescence on the dial. Rather than just adding luminescence to the markers, the Chromalight creates a glow over the whole dial providing the utmost visibility in the ocean’s depths. Whether you actually take this piece for a dive or enjoy it only on land it’s a great collector’s choice and is available for $39,000 USD.
Rolex Day-Date 40
Price:$38,500 USD Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Day Date was first introduced in 1956 and was a unique and innovative piece of its time. It was the first watch that displayed the date and the day written out fully in two separate windows. For those on the go and in need of tracking not just time, but the days it was exactly what was needed. It continues to remain a classic and timeless watch today. The day window is displayed at 12 o’clock whereas the date window is at 3 o’clock - Each giving enough space to exist cohesively on the classic dial. A really cool detail is that Rolex customizes the spelling of the days in a variety of languages allowing a farther global reach. Price for the Rolex Day-Date is $38,500 USD.
Cartier Santos
Price: $36,100 USD; Case Size: 39.8mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Leading aviators in their expeditions since the early 1900s, the Cartier Santos is not only a staple in Cartier’s collections, but also an iconic timepiece in history. It’s only natural that the yellow gold model is on our list, because gold feels like a natural progression from it's steel counterparts. The clean white dial with roman numerals gives simplicity and charm, while keeping in line with Cartier's historical design aesthetic. The unique square shape adds a point of difference to most of the other watches on our list and is a shape most familiar with Cartier. The elegant timepiece could very easily fit into any serious luxury watch collector's collection. It is available for $36,100 USD.
Omega Speedmaster
Price: $41,600 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
There are many colors that work well with yellow gold, making it a very versatile metal for jewelry and watches. The dark green dial and bezel on the Omega Speedmaster is certainly one of them. The deep green enhances the gold case and details while adding a bold contrast to the classiclt black chronograph, elevating an already emblematic watch. The piece carries a significant history being part of all six moon landings, therefore it deserves to standout in design and functionality. We love following the variations Omega continues to offer and this one is no exception. It is available for $41,600 USD.
Vacheron Constantine Historiques 222
Price: $73,200 USD; Case Size: 37mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Vacheron Constantine introduced the reimagined Historiques 222 at last year’s Watches & Wonders. The piece is a modern inspiration of its iconic original of the 1970s. The piece was designed by Jorg Hysek and unfortunately fizzled out of production after seven years, as it fell behind the radar to other bigger brands of the time. However, this did not stop its popularity as a collector’s item. Vacheron’s new Historiques 222 is very close in style to its predecessor and retains details unique to the 70's - Like the Maltese cross engraved on the bezel at the 5 o’clock marker on the tonneau-shaped case. Along with the grooved bezel, the integrated bracelet has a unique shape that flows with the overall aesthetic. The historical piece is available for $73,200 USD.
A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1
Price: Available Upon Request; Case Size: 38.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
We love the classic yet technical aesthetic that an A. Lange & Sohne piece has to offer. The German brand seems to have a number of iconic models, most of which are in precious metal, and the Lange 1 is pretty much the go-to dress watch for the brand. The Lange 1 is a staple design for A. Lange & Sohne and we don’t tire of the large open dial and the harmonious placement of the subdials and big date window. Time does not take up all the space on these models but blends with everything else it has to offer. Price for the Lange 1 is available upon request.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo
Price: $45,500 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The 18k yellow gold Octo Finissimo is a 50-piece limited edition created specifically for the American market. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first American Bulgari boutique. The pure gold case has its geometric construction, which integrates into it's iconic gold bracelet. The brown lacquered dial creates a warm cohesive look for this dressy sport watch, while nodding to that italian-style colorway of it's first boutique. It retains the ultra-thinness (2.23mm) known for the Octo Finissimo. It is available for $45,500 USD.
Patek Philippe Calatrava
Price: $40,220 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Calatrava collection is one of the most recognized and iconic dress watches in the industry, and a core offering from Patek Philippe. First introduced in 1932 to help the company through the great depression, it now is a staple model in their catalog. It was designed by Henri Stern after his father acquired the company. The smooth and polished edges of the yellow gold 5227J Calatrava, have not changed much over the years, keeping it very much in line with the originals. The ivory dial and gold indices and hands allow for a modern yet classic monochromatic design. A neat feature is the caseback that you could flip open like a pocket watch to reveal the mmovement of the piece. The watch is available for $40,220 USD.
Oris Big Crown Wings of Hope Limited Edition
Price: $17,000 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Oris Big Crown is clean and contemporary. The white dial emphasizes the gold numerals, and the brown leather strap gives this piece an everyday look. Another reason we love this watch is because it’s part of Oris’ initiative with Wings of Hope, a nonprofit organization reaching remote areas around the world with aid and supplies. The yellow gold Wings of Hope edition is limited to 100 pieces. So, not only do you get a beautiful timepiece, but one that gives back to people around the world. The retail price is $17,000 USD.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin 50th Anniversary 16202BA>
Price: $70,000 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
A list of yellow gold watches would not be complete without a Royal Oak. The 50th anniversary Royal Oak Jumbo speaks for itself. Celebrating 50 years of production only goes to show the popularity of the Royal Oak collection. The all-gold piece with smokey yellow dial (a newer venture for the Royal Oak) is a bold wear for those willing to take a risk. It's a modern Royal Oak, but it feels a little vintage, and that's something we love about it. It was priced at $70,000 USD but goes for more on the secondary market.
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph
Price: $21,500 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Tag Heuer takes the black and gold colorway to the next level with this Carrera Chronograph. The mostly black dial features gold indices and sub-dials which all flow with the gold case and black leather strap. The open caseback reveals the movement with more black details on the rotor. The emphasis on the black details of this piece makes it wearable as an everyday sport watch and not just a dress watch for special occasions. This piece draws its inspiration from the popular Heuer reference 1158 CHN and is an inverted take on it. As far as sport chronograph's go, it's hard to argue with a Carrera (especially as a solid gold watch). This watch is available for $21,500 USD.
Piaget Altiplano
Price: $16,300 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
Simple and sophisticated, the Piaget Altiplano is a classic everyday dress watch first introduced in 1957. It was introduced as the Piaget ultra-thin calibre 9P - The Altiplano name would not be coined until 1998. Although Piaget has created different variations of the Altiplano there is an elegance to the base design with a thicker gold case, and hyper-thin indices. The white dial and stick indices give a modern charm on this otherwise very vintage-inspired piece. The ultra-thin in-house movement allows for the watch to maintain a slim case, and at 38mm it’s a great choice for smaller wrists. The model launched in 2004 and retailed for $16,300 USD. It is not available in the US market but can be ordered through the Swiss manufacturer.
Panerai Radiomir Quaranta PAM01437
Price: $18,200 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
As we saw with the Omega Moonwatch on this list, yellow gold and emerald green play nicely together on jewelry and watches. The Panerai Raddiomir Quaranta does a great job of leveraging all the good parts of Panerai's typically design queues, and pairing them in a smaller, more accessible case size at just 40mm. The large white numerals and indices stand out against the green but still leave the dial feeling open and clean. It's charasmatic design feels great, because while it's firmly rooted in Panerai's more dressy options, its size, shape, and color can also be dressed down if the occassion calls for it. The watch retails for $18,200 USD.
MB&F LM Perpetual Yellow Gold
Price: $188,000 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
Perhaps the most modern watch on our list is the MB&F LM Perpetual. LM melds the components of a perpetual calendar into a single system to ensure more accuracy and longevity in the function - Leaving all of this is on display through the creative design. The large domed crystal gives a bird’s eye view of the movement and inner construction of this watch. At first glance it can feel overwhelming seeing all of the technical components come together but upon closer inspection you can see the work of art that it is, while still being able to pick out the time at a glance. Price for the MB&F LM Perpetual Yellow Gold is $188,000 USD.
