Rose gold timepieces offer a unique elegance within the sphere of horology, perfect for pairing with a tailored suit.
But with so many styles to choose from, there's more to this precious metal than just its dress watch credentials.
The Vacheron Constantin and Harry Winston models below, for example, exude a slightly more rugged charm than the daintiness of Breguet's Classique Extra-Thin, while the IWC counters the inherently feminine rose gold with a particularly handsome slate-grey dial.
Even in the world of precious metal, watch design has evolved to match the varying needs of the wearer – these are not pieces suited to one specific occasion, but capable of suiting casual as much as a tailored aesthetic.
Check out the latest and greatest rose gold pieces on the market right now:
Vacheron Constantin
FiftySix Complete Calendar
It’s not every day that Vacheron Constantin revamps a whole collection, but in 2018 watch fans were treated to a new-look FiftySix range, inspired by the vintage 6073 design. The pronounced sector dial blends perfectly with the alternating Arabic numerals and baton hour-markers, leaving plenty of room for the slick annual calendar complication on this particular model.
£30,700; vacheron-constantin.com
Patek Philippe
5230R World Time
For the last 80 years, Patek Philippe has perfected its two-crown world-timer complication that allows the user to jump time zones in hour increments at the push of a button. Its latest iteration is no different. The winglet-style lugs and intricate hands are delicate touches, but the real star is the guilloché grey dial inspired by a pocket watch in the Patek Philippe museum.
£36,460; patek.com
Breguet
Classique Extra-Thin 5157
It’s hard to make classical, minimalist watches as good as Breguet. In fact, some might say it can’t be done. Take the 38mm Classique Extra-Thin 5157, released at Baselworld 2018. It’s a showcase in simplicity: a finely crafted fluted case, dainty numerals and indices, the iconic Breguet hands, and a spacious engine-turned guilloché dial that commands your attention.
£20,900; breguet.com
Harry Winston Project Z11
Graff MasterGraff UltraSlim Dual Time Tourbillon
Harry Winston
Project Z11
Harry Winston’s eye for the avant-garde has led to a host of ambitious watch designs over the years, each piece standing apart from the conformity of classical Swiss watchmaking. The Project Z11 continues this trend with a unique take on the big date complication that combines a modern openwork design with
a chunky rose gold case.
POA; harrywinston.com
Graff
MasterGraff UltraSlim Dual Time Tourbillon
Graff doesn’t do things by halves. Its timepieces are high complication precious-material marvels, and this watch is no different. You’re looking at a hand-wound flying tourbillon, with a separate time zone shown on the sub dial and a big date indicator for good measure. The applied gold index ring really sets the whole piece off.
POA; graff.com
[From left to right] Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon; Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph, and; IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Master Ultra Thin Moon
In comparison to some of the mouthwatering grand complications on offer in this photoshoot, this demure Jaeger-LeCoultre may appear easy to overlook. But there’s something about the eggshell beige dial, the subtlety of the moonphase and date indicator, and the elegance of the dauphine hands that keep you coming back for more. This watch is all poise and finesse.
£21,200; jaeger-lecoultre.com
Glashütte Original
Senator Chronograph
On the surface, this grown-up chronograph is deeply entrenched in classical watch design – the Arabic numerals, spade hands and three sub-register dial configuration – but look closer and you’ll find nods to modernity. The big date window at six o’clock and the power reserve indicator hidden in the left-hand register are welcome additions to this classy piece.
£14,100; glashuette-original.com
IWC
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
IWC is a well-known master of the perpetual calendar, thanks to its legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus who revolutionised the movement way back in 1985. This piece is a good example of why they’re still the industry leaders. The slate grey dial against the rose gold case is particularly appealing, along with the intricate star detailing on the double moonphase display.
£32,450; iwc.com
Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet GMT
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
Blancpain
Villeret Quantième Complet GMT
In spite of Blancpain’s renown in the diving sphere, this ornate triple calendar is in fact its most popular design – and it’s easy to see why. Combining the GMT complication with a moonphase, perimeter date function, and day-month windows sounds like a recipe for a muddled design, but Blancpain has made it work in particularly refined fashion.
£19,940; blancpain.com
