The Best Yellow Gold Watches for Men
Trends are cyclical, including those that live within the luxury watch landscape. Right on cue, we’ve seen an uptick in the interest in yellow gold watches for men — a style that was considered dated not too long ago. For decades, yellow gold was overshadowed by its warmer rose gold counterpart but we’re now witnessing the pendulum swinging back to the classic golden hue. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best yellow gold watches for men available right now, from vintage to modern.
Rolex Day-Date President
The Day-Date, also known as the Rolex President, has been the quintessential men’s gold watch for more than half a century. It’s recognized as the “I’ve made it” timepiece, worn by some of the most powerful and famous figures in history—yes, including actual presidents.
While the Day-Date is available in various shades of gold (as well as platinum) the absolute classic choice here is yellow gold. Whether you go with the traditional 36mm, modern 40mm, or the largest (but discontinued) 41mm size, a yellow gold Day-Date with a fluted bezel, champagne dial, and President bracelet is one of the best yellow gold watches for men ever made. For many, it’s the ultimate one-watch collection contender, or at the very least, the first watch to buy to mark a significant milestone.
Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date Specs
| Model | Rolex Day-Date (Yellow Gold) |
| Case Diameter | 36mm, 40mm, or 41mm (Discontinued) |
| Popular Reference Numbers | 1803, 18038, 18238, 118238, 218238, 128238, 228238 |
| Movement | Automatic (8 beats per second since 1978, 6 beats per second before that) |
| Power Reserve | 42-72 hours |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet/Strap | President bracelet (most common) |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | ~$10,000-$45,000 depending on age (Rare or gem-set models can be more) |
More about Rolex Day-Date Watches:
The Best Rolex Day-Date Alternative Watches
How Much Does a Rolex Day-Date Cost? The Ultimate Rolex Day Date Price Guide
Vacheron Constantin 222 Historiques
In 2022, Vacheron Constantin released a revival of its famed 1970s-era integrated bracelet sports watch model, the 222 (the precursor to the Overseas watch). However, rather than releasing a stainless steel model, Vacheron leaned into extravagance by opting to recreate the full gold version.
With looks that were near-identical to the original yellow gold 222 Reference 44018 “Jumbo” but furnished with thoughtful modern updates (such as a new movement and subtly improved bracelet, case, and dial), the Vacheron Constantin 222 Historiques was not only an immediate hit but also, in my opinion, a clear signal that men’s yellow gold watches were back in a big way.
Like the original, the Vacheron Constantin 222 Historiques dons a 37mm angular case, which is topped with a fluted bezel and houses a gold-toned dial. The star of the show is the gold integrated bracelet, complete with the hexagonal center links.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Specs
| Model | Historiques 222 |
| Reference | 4200H/222J-B935 |
| Case Diameter | 37mm |
| Case Thickness | 7.95mm |
| Movement | Calibre 2455/2 (Automatic, 8 beats per second) |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Integrated bracelet |
| MSRP (Feb. 2024) | $74,000 |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | $76,500 |
More about Vacheron Constantin Watches
The Best Entry-Level Vacheron Constantin Watches
What is the Price of a Vacheron Constantin Overseas in 2024?
Tank Louis Cartier
As a globally renowned fine jeweler and leading watch house, it comes as no surprise that Cartier would make some of the best yellow gold watches for men. While the brand offers plenty of gold models, there’s nothing quite like a Cartier dress watch.
Take for example the yellow gold Tank Louis Cartier with a black lacquer dial and black leather strap that debuted in 2022. A stunningly minimalist take on the Tank, the sleek black dial is home to a pair of gold sword-shaped hands and no hour markers.
The 18k yellow gold rectangular case of the Large model measures a restrained 33.7mm x 25.5mm, fitted with a beaded crown set with a blue sapphire cabochon. The Tank Louis Cartier watch runs on the Caliber 1917 MC manual winding movement with about 38 hours of power reserve.
Tank Louis Cartier Large Size Specs
| Model | Tank Louis Cartier (Large) |
| Reference | WGTA0091 |
| Case Diameter | 25.5mm |
| Case Thickness | 6.4mm |
| Movement | 1917 MC (Manual-wind, 6 beats per second) |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Alligator strap |
| MSRP (Feb. 2024) | $13,000 |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | $9,800 |
More about Cartier Tank Watches:
A History of the Cartier Tank
How Much Does A Cartier Tank Cost in 2024?
Cartier Tank Française: Analyzing the 2023 Updates
Who Owns Cartier?
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo”
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the genre-defining Royal Oak in 2022, Audemars Piguet released a new generation of the “Jumbo” — direct descendants of the original model from 1972. The anniversary Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 16202 watches are available in a few materials but none as head-turning as the yellow gold variant.
As is characteristic for “Jumbo” versions of the Royal Oak, the ref. 16202 features a slim 39mm case, an octagonal bezel punctuated with exposed screws, and a dial with hour and minute hands (no seconds hand) and a date window. Staying true to the original design, the dial is decorated with the “petite tapisserie” pattern but now rendered in a smoked gold color, transforming from light at the center to black at the periphery. Inside the watch is the latest Caliber 7121 self-winding movement with a higher frequency rating of 28,800 beats per hour and a boosted power reserve of 55 hours
The integrated bracelet is a defining characteristic of the Royal Oak watch and when it’s crafted in yellow gold, it’s simply striking, making the ref. 16202BA one of the best-looking yellow gold watches for men in the market.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Yellow Gold Specs
| Model | Royal Oak “Jumbo” |
| Reference | 16202BA |
| Case Diameter | 39mm |
| Case Thickness | 8.1mm |
| Movement | Caliber 7121 (Automatic, 8 beats per second) |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Integrated bracelet |
| MSRP (Feb. 2024) | $78,300 |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | $145,000 |
More about Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watches:
How Much Does An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cost?
All About the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
Guide to Audemars Piguet Nicknames
Patek Philippe Nautilus
Perhaps the most famous Patek Philippe watch on the planet, the Nautilus sports watch was never meant to be the hero model of the renowned watchmaker that built its reputation on making high-complication watches. However, the market dictates popularity, and right now, the Nautilus is still the most-coveted Patek watch.
Interestingly, Patek Philippe currently does not make yellow gold versions of the Nautilus; instead, the brand has steel, white gold, and rose gold models in its current collection. However, if we dig into the Patek archives, there are indeed some yellow gold Nautilus watches including the ref. 3700J — the first generation Nautilus from the 1970s.
The yellow gold porthole-shaped 40mm case is fitted with a customary matching yellow gold integrated bracelet while the horizontally grooved black dial is home to a pair of gold hands at the center, accompanied by a date window. Patek only made around 1,500 gold versions of the Nautilus 3700, making this men’s yellow gold watch a rare collector’s piece.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1J Specs
| Model | Nautilus |
| Reference | 3700/1J |
| Case Diameter | 40mm |
| Case Thickness | 7.6mm |
| Movement | Caliber 28-255 C |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Water Resistance | 120m |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | $185,000 |
More about Patek Philippe Nautilus Watches:
Why is The Patek Philippe Nautilus So Expensive?
Discontinued Patek Philippe Watches in 2024
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch
For many purists, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is only deserving of its Moonwatch name if it’s made in stainless steel. However, while the NASA-ready Speedmasters that went to the Moon were indeed made in steel, yellow gold versions are undeniably alluring.
In 2019, Omega unveiled a limited edition Speedmaster Moonwatch crafted in Moonshine gold —the brand’s propriety gold alloy that’s paler than traditional yellow gold. A few years later, 2022 to be exact, more Moonshine Moonwatches joined the lineup (not limited), including a striking green edition.
The combination of a 42mm 18k Moonshine gold case, a three-register green dial, and a tachymeter-engraved green ceramic bezel comes together to give us one of the coolest yellow gold chronographs available today. Plus, the sapphire crystal caseback displays the new-generation Caliber 3861 manual-winding movement in action.
Green Dial Omega Speedmaster Specs
| Model | Speedmaster Professional |
| Reference | 310.63.42.50.10.001 (Strap) 310.60.42.50.10.001 (Bracelet) |
| Case Diameter | 42mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.2mm |
| Movement | Omega 3861 (Manual-wind, 6 beats per second) |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| MSRP (Feb. 2024) | $29,500 (Strap) $41,600 (Bracelet) |
| Market Price (Feb. 2024) | $24,500 (Strap) $31,000 (Bracelet) |
More about Omega Speedmaster Watches
Did Daniel Craig Just Tease a New White Omega Speedmaster?
What is the Price of an Omega Speedmaster?
The Return of Yellow Gold Watches for Men
Over the last few years, a number of luxury watch brands have been adding yellow gold models to their collections and we’ll likely see even more released at Watches & Wonders 2024. However, the vintage market is a particularly good place to shop for classic yellow gold watches.
For the longest time, yellow gold men’s watches were undervalued on the secondary market because buyers were enamored with stainless steel; or if they wanted precious metal, they’d often opt for other shades of gold like rose or go for platinum. Now that the return of yellow gold watches for men is in full force, those secondary market prices are on the rise.
Gold watches have been the must-have pieces during different times in history including the early 20th century, the mid-20th century, and of course, the decadent 1980s. It’s refreshing to see this classic precious metal return to the forefront of high-end watchmaking because no matter what current trends dictate, the enduring appeal of yellow gold will never go away.
Other Watch Trends To Check:
Are Two-Tone Watches Back in Style?
12 “Year of the Dragon” Watches
The Rebirth of the Men’s Dress Watch
Guide to Salmon Dial Watches
Is Cartier Leading the Return of Small Watches for Men?
