ONCE RESERVED FOR ONLY THE MOST FORMAL OF OCCASIONS WHEN IT ROSE TO FAME IN THE EARLY ‘60S, THE GOLD WATCH NOW REIGNS OVER THE REALMS OF CASUAL AND COOL. FROM SPORTY TO UTILITARIAN AND REBELLIOUS TO CHIC, INLAID WITH DIAMONDS OR PRECIOUS STONES, THESE GILDED TIMEPIECES ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD, BOASTING EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS TO MATCH

BY ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE

Patek Philippe Nautilius 5712R

Combining sporty and sophisticated appeal, this luxurious automatic watch crafted with rose gold is identifi ed by its octagonal bezel, sunburst brown dial, and the satin finished case design. An instant collector’s item, indeed. $82,800, patek.com

Chanel Boyfriend Tweed Watch Coco

Chanel’s fabric of choice gets the golden treatment in this gilded stunner featuring a tweed-inspired strap anchored by an 18K beige gold case. The sleek architectural bezel is flanked by 64 brilliant-cut diamonds revealing an onyx cabochon crown, an opaline guilloché dial, and date indicator. $44,100, chanel.com

Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas

An impressive feat of watchmaking art, the Serpenti is a cult classic, reintroduced every time to ample fanfare. The 35-mm timepiece is crafted here in an 18K yellow gold curved case set with diamonds, a silver opaline dial with guilloché soliel treatment, and hand applied indexes. $45,500, bulgari.com

Audamers Piguet Royal Oak

Among the brand’s rarest and most sought-after models, the Royal Oak is a revered 41-mm self-winding chronograph set in an 18K shimmering yellow gold case with a frosted finish featuring a Grande Tappiserie dial. Black counters contrast the dial while yellow gold-applied markers and hands add a tonal dimension. $81,500, materialgood.com

Breitling Navitemer B01 Chronograph 46

Breitling adds a Midas touch to their iconic pilot’s chronograph Navi meter that first appeared in 1952. The new rose gold model amps up its classic features, including a flattened side and domed crystal for a sleeker profile. The updated dial is offered in blue, green, and copper, while the return of the AOPA wings to their original position is a cool throwback. $39,500, leonardojewelers.com

Swarovski Octea Lux Sport Watch Brown Gold

This 37-mm chronograph combines a sporty aesthetic with a glamorous appearance in a champagne gold-toned color way featuring a crystal bezel and index markers. The gold-tone sunray dial complements the tonal metal bracelet. $530, wolffinejewelers.com

Rolex Sky Dweller Oyster Perpetual

It’s a well known fact that the Sky Dweller is an engineering marvel, first released by the U.K. horology legend in 2012. The Oyster Perpetual is presented here in 18K gold with a pristine white dial featuring a fixed, inverted red triangle that points to the chosen reference time. $48,000, leonardojewelers.com

Panthère De Cartier Medium Model

A true work of art with clean lines and a linear softness, the bracelet-inspired Medium Model with a quartz movement is encased in yellow gold and set with shimmering brilliant cut diamonds in a 27 x 36 mm thickness. The crown is set with a diamond, silver dial, and blue sword-shaped hands. $29,900, garymichaelsfinejewelry.com