Gold watches were a key trend at Watches and Wonders 2024, and the return of weighty glimmer resonated with us. Here are our some of our favourites, ranging from divers’ watches to Cartier chic, platinum to rose gold.
5 gold watches for 2024
Rolex Deepsea
The gargantuan gold Rolex Deepsea weighs in at a whopping 320 grams. For the first time presented in 18ct yellow gold, the Perpetual Rolex Deepsea pairs gold, sourced from Rolex's own foundry, with ceramic and titanium, in a sleek celebration of materials.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
The secret’s out – the Vacheron Constantin Overseas range is the curated alternative in the integrated bracelet game. At Watches & Wonders 2024, we got four new references in 18ct 5N pink gold with deep green dials. In steel, the Overseas can be an understated charmer, the in-box choice of an extra rubber strap ensuring its stealth-wealth vibe. But with the lustre of softly brushed pink gold there’s no point in pretending, so we embrace the 35mm version on a full gold bracelet with the Maltese cross bezel set with diamonds.
Cartier Tortue
The Cartier Tortue originally debuted in 1912, a smooth cushion-shaped watch named after the French word for turtle. Introduced at Watches and Wonders this year was a larger-than-normal, almost tool-like crown on a twin-register Monopusher Chronograph. With only 200 pieces being made by Cartier, the understated pebble-smooth elegance will undoubtedly find collector-owners in no time. Silver opaline dials and blued hands complement the radiant cabochon and a blue alligator strap.
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
Appeasing today’s appetite for watches-as-bracelets, the eloquent language of the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse is back with a braided gold vengeance. The brand is no stranger to embracing its past, but going all-in on its early 1970s glamour brings a minimal-luxe charm we love. The new rose-gold Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001 remains svelte at 34.5 x 39.5 mm, boasting an ultra-thin self-winding movement in a curvaceous 5.9mm case. It might be inspired by the Golden Ratio, but the chain-link braid of the pink-gold bracelet steals the show.
Tudor Black Bay 58
If you’re all about the juxtaposed glam of a solid gold tool watch but felt the large Rolex Deepsea a bit much, family member Tudor has the answer, three years after launching the pitch-perfect rendition of a late 1950s diver. A rich green dial and bezel are framed by a satin-soft brushed case and bracelet of 18ct yellow gold. The COSC-rated MT5400 movement has the tech specs to back it up, completing a very wearable precious gold retro-nugget of the Watches and Wonders show.
-
Head Hi presents the 5th annual Lamp Show during New York Design WeekHead Hi, the city’s favourite architecture and design bookstore, debuts 54 new lights in a Tribeca pop up exhibition at New York Design Week 2024 (until 19 May)
-
A Red Rock house balances spatial luxury and desert minimalismThis Red Rock house by Faulkner Architects, set in the open Nevada country outside Las Vegas, balances spatial luxury and desert minimalism
-
Inside E-WERK Luckenwalde’s ‘Tell Them I Said No’, an art festival at Berlin's former power stationE-WERK Luckenwalde’s two-day art festival was an eclectic mix of performance, workshops, and discussion. Will Jennings reports
-
Futurism is back at Watches and Wonders 2024Futuristic watches are ready to beam us up as a sci-fi aesthetic comes to Watches and Wonders 2024
-
Sotheby’s vintage watch sale of 24 spectacular avant-garde designs sells out in one hourPatek Philppe's crazy-paved cuff and Audemars Piguet's emerald car are the star lots, pointing towards a new era of idiosyncratic opulence in watch design
-
The best independent watch brands at Watches and Wonders 2024Watches and Wonders 2024 organisers are keen to open their platform to a more diverse array of makers. Here are our top independent brands to look out for
-
Discover the watch bracelets of the future at Watches and Wonders 2024A new space at Watches and Wonders 2024, the LAB, turns its gaze to the future of watchmaking
-
Watches and Wonders 2024: all the highlights from the Geneva eventDiscover the watches at the year's biggest watch event, Watches and Wonders
-
All the Rolex watches launched at Watches and Wonders 2024This year, Rolex watches marry past design codes with modern technology
-
Fragranced watches are the future, predicts Vacheron Constantin at Watches and Wonders 2024Vacheron Constantin unites with fashion designer Yiqing Yin on fragranced concept watch ‘Égérie – The Pleats of Time’
-
Hermès Cut watches are launched against Erin O’Keefe’s colourful set at Watches and Wonders 2024Erin O’Keefe has created a sculptural scenography for Hermès at Watches and Wonders 2024
