sam1234
358
Robert, I'm going to offer a contrary view.
Jul 15, 2020,19:42 PM
I will respectfully disagree with your principle assertion that yellow gold is somehow less desirable/popular, in most references.
I assume of course we limit our discussion to "classic" Patek watches rather than less formal, sportier ones. I think most will agree for those stainless steel is preferred.
Unlike other metals, I believe that a yellow gold wristwatch is not always trendy, it is most certainly never out of style.
In fact, Patek produces more references in yellow gold than any other metal. Their production cost is the same for yellow, white or pink gold. It would therefore seem a colossal misread of their market if yellow proved the least desirable.
I think the phenomenon to which you refer is biased by collectors who populate watch fora and who represent a very, very small fraction of the actual watch buying public.
To answer your question specific to personal preference, I find that any simple calatrava, particularly the 5196 and all of its predecessors, look best in yellow gold.
For more complicated watches like a PC, I also think yellow gold works best. The 3940J was the daily wear of Henry Stern and I presume he had his choice of metals.
With chronographs I swing both ways. White metals often seem more appropriate with a tachymetre scale if I presume to be timing laps at the motor speedway. With a pulsometer scale I'm envisioning herr doktor making a late night house call. That well dressed chap would be wearing yellow gold.
That's my opinion, no offense to anyone who feels different, but please let's not disparage or dismiss the yellow gold wristwatch. Like most classics, it's here to stay.
Cheers!