Two tone watches in steel and gold were born somewhere around the 1950s-60s. Their creation responds to matters of style and brand positioning as iconic watches at that time were considered “tool “ pieces with specific professional or scientific purposes. Some important brands decided to integrate gold elements in these watches to make them more palatable to consumers while allowing for their use in everyday conditions with a panache of distinction. The formula was successful, cohabiting with full steel and full gold watches until 1972, when Audemars Piguet changed the rules of the game with the first sport luxury watch completely built in steel, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. However, two-tone watches persisted with a solid market share, especially in North and South America where collectors and aficionados are very fond of the attractive play of steel and gold in their watches. We would like to show you some interesting examples of this style.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in steel and gold.
The two-tone configuration of the Royal Oak is quite attractive. Based in the exclusive monobloc architecture of the 41mm case in steel with the magic octagonal bezel and crown in 18-carat rose gold. The central links of the angular bracelet are also fashioned in 18-carat rose gold with the tapisserie guilloche as the familiar detail at the centre of the dial. The case has a sapphire crystal back that provides wonderful views of the Manufacture Audemars Piguet Caliber 3120 with 22-carat gold self-winding rotor.
Cartier Ballon Bleu in steel and gold.
The impeccable winding crown, integrated with a peculiar blue cabochon, seems to float over the perfect circumference of the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch which has become the most successful watch for Cartier due to its many variations in size, material and myriad complications available along with several dial iterations to suit personal tastes. The version we bring forward is a two tone edition, steel and 18-carat gold with a Cartier Caliber 049 self-winding movement. The flexible bracelet has center links made of gold while the thin bezel is fashioned in the same material for additional elegance.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Ultra Thin
Presented as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Reverso, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Ultra Thin has its exclusive pivoting case that shows in one side the time with supreme taste while reserving the solid side for further personalization by its owner. Gadroons made of 18-carat gold are in close combination with the steel of the case with the central links of the steel bracelet fashioned in 18-carat gold as well. The thin height of 7.17 mm conceals a modern quartz caliber built in the Manufacture at Le Sentier.
