Horological Meandering

Precious metal watches. The cost is usually way more that the same watch in stainless steel, but it is the same watch with the one difference being the case material. I wouldn't mind having a gold watch but sometimes ask myself why. When it comes to white... 

My grandmother would look at a white gold watch and think, "why didn't they just get it in yellow or rose gold?"

Especially in the white metals. No hiding colored gold cases, which have never been my interest. But white gold or platinum, it is only the wearer (or maybe a keen fellow Purist!) who knows what it is. I rather like that quality.

Precious, uncolored metals always feels special, especially in a highly finished watch. Unless it’s a steel AP or Patek. For some reason the usage of steel in a dress Patek is less common and rare so there’s an appeal. Steel APs and Patek sports… also has... 

At the end of the day if you can justify the price of a steel rolex you can do the same with a patek perpetual calendar chrono, assuming you have the means to buy it of course. Platinum and white gold are my personal preference exactly because of their su... 

I like gold very much. But I find that for watches, I'm perfectly happy for them to be in steel! But some watches only come in gold, so gold it is!

But gold appeals to my heart.

For example, the Glashutte Senator Chronometer. I have been smitten with that watch and movement since it debuted in 2009. And to this day, it has only been offered in precious metal cases. But in general, if a brand makes a watch in steel, and then asks ... 

yellow gold (with a leather strap). Not to show it but for the pleasure of my eyes.

Does the fact that this Zenith El Primero is in a precious metal, while most of them are in steel, make me think this is better than the regular ones, and worth paying extra for? No! It was just so darned pretty I couldn't help myself. ...  

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PRECIOUS METAL CASES ARE PRODUCED IN SMALLER QUANTITIES> A timepiece is judged/valued by its movement first, its case metal, and artisanal qualities (subjective). Summation of these qualities in most cases should denote the price. Not including collectabl... 

And that also applies to titanium, ceramic, bronze, and other materials too. I guess that implies having some kind of "relationship" with ones' watches, and case material is a very present attribute in that relationship. I can imagine my reaction if, over... 

That the price of precious metal watches is only marginally more than steel or titanium. Personally, I don’t place much of a premium on precious metal, if any at all. I actually prefer steel or titanium in most cases, and none of it has to do with cost. ... 

Then I wouldn't need to care for precious metals at all. But gold is so pretty, it gets a place in my collection.

Look at DeBethune

For example, in Chinese Daoism, gold does not tarnish and represents that which we wish to remain eternally unstained in ourselves--while platinum refers to our aspirations. That's important to my own collection, which is mainly precious metals.

My ALS isn’t available in SS 😉

YOU.

Beyond that price point, the idea of using inexpensive materials begins to bother me. But as you mentioned, the premium is important if steel is also offered, along with whatever the dial design is.

It could be entirely subjective, but when I switch from, say, a steel Rolex to the same watch in 18k, the substantial weight of the precious metal watch makes it feel more durable in a way, even though the opposite is true. In comparison, the steel watch ... 

. . . the Rolex 1908 is beautiful and is only made in precious metal cases. Thus, price exclusivity, which I just cannot justify for myself. I mostly buy vintage, which usually happen to be cased in steel, although a few are gold and even .925 silver. The...