Owning any precious item with gold is often considered a milestone. Whether it is an investment or a treat to yourself, purchasing your first gold watch is something to celebrate! However, are all gold watches the same? What are some things to look out for when buying a gold watch?
To help you make sense of some of the more vital points when buying a gold watch, we have rounded up the different types of gold watches in Singapore you can choose from to help you make the right purchase with no regrets. So, without further ado, read on for our essential tips before purchasing your first gold watch.
Gold-plated and gold-filled
As the name suggests, a gold-plated or gold-filled watch is usually made of a different material but is coated with a thin layer of gold. Since decades ago, this has been a popular option, and the reason behind this is because it helps create the appearance that something was made of full gold, but at a much pocket-friendly price. For an example of affordable but beautiful gold-plated watches, the Leonard Montres Classique Circular collection is a good place to look.
While gold-plated watches are great for casual wear, a common issue is how the coating isn’t long-lasting. Often, wear and tear causes the gold to come off, revealing the material underneath. Thankfully, it’s possible to re-apply another gold layer on the watch when you send it for servicing. Also, keep in mind that the colour of a gold-plated watch is often different from that of a solid gold watch.
Now, as for gold-filled watches, they are a more enhanced version of gold-plated watches. The principle remains the same. The main difference is that the gold layer is thicker and more durable. As compared to gold-plated watches, the plating layer of gold-filled watches is less prone to wear and tear and could not be scratched off.
Gold-capped
Such watches rose to fame back in the 50s and the 60s, when it was common to find a thick solid gold shell made out of either 14K or 18K gold capped over a stainless steel watch case. Because of the way they worked, Rolex went as far as to nickname the watches as the “golden egg”. Outside of Rolex, other manufacturers entered this market as well, including Omega with their Constellation and Seamaster watches.
What made gold-capped watches so renowned is how they give off the appearance of a solid gold watch but without burning a hole in your pocket. However, gold-capped watches are still more expensive than stainless steel watches of the time. It’ll require intense scrutiny and a keen eye for detail for someone to be able to tell the difference between a gold-capped watch and a solid gold watch.
Bi-colour
Once considered “tacky” and “awkward”, bi-colour watches have become a staple in the luxury watch market in recent years. Bi-colour watches usually utilise gold to give off an excellent contrast to the stainless steel or titanium material. In terms of price, bi-colour watches are more expensive than stainless steel watches because of the presence of gold.
Solid gold
If you’re looking for the ‘real’ thing, solid gold is the way to go. It will definitely be more costly than the gold-filled or gold-capped options due to the amount of material used, but that also adds to the prestige of the timepiece. The wonderful thing about gold is its versatility in colour. It’s commonly available in yellow, rose, and even white gold.
When buying solid gold, one thing to look out for is the karat count. Although 24K gold is the purest of them all, it doesn’t mean it’s the best choice, as gold is quite a soft and easily scratched material. For a balance of purity and durability, most luxury timepieces utilise 18K gold. For luxury watches that use solid gold and other precious rare materials, you can’t go wrong with Sarcar and their unique take on exquisite timepieces.
Conclusion
Now that you’re equipped with the information you need to purchase your first gold watch, it’s important to choose your shop wisely. Here at Leong Poh Kee, we have a wide array of high-quality watches, including gold and diamond watches for you to choose from. Regardless of your preference, you’ll certainly find one you can always wear proudly.