5 of the best white gold watches

Fergus Nash

White gold is an odd material when you think about it. Even to a trained eye, it’s almost indistinguishable from stainless steel, it’s less durable, and it costs way more. The only advantages it has are the paler hue and the romantic notion of a precious metal, which admittedly can charm even the most cynical of minds. At the end of the day, it’s got that ‘when you know, you know’ factor that’s undeniable. Here are 5 of the best white gold watches to prove it.

A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus

There’s a solid list of film sequels that are better than the originals, but that very rarely happens in the watch world. A. Lange & Söhne’s second version of the Odysseus redefined their first sports watch effort by ditching the blue dial trope, giving it some extra detail, and rendering the swim-ready 120 metres water-resistant case in glamorous white gold. Between the effortlessly hidden pushers in the crown guards, the comfortable rubber strap, and the grand day and date wheels, it’s got to be one of the best examples of a luxury sports watch out there that merges utility with beauty. The striping around the outer sector adds to the Saxon sharpness on which the German brand prides themselves, and its name Odysseus encourages its owners to take it on adventures where white gold watches normally wouldn’t go. If you’re based in Sydney, you can pick up this piece from their standalone boutique there. Our watch buying guide for Sydney is here to guide you further.

Price: A$68,700

Patek Philippe Grand Complications 5204G-001

Are there any words that go better together in watchmaking than Patek Philippe and Grand Complications? Often touted as the greatest watch brand of all time, the Grand Complications range is the pinnacle of their ability. The reference 5204G-001 was released towards the end of last year, but it makes a strong impression on their whole catalogue. With a vintage-styled case and contemporary elements such as the olive green dial, the 18k white gold composition completes its luxurious proposition. The included complications are a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds chronograph, the inner workings of which you can stare at through the sapphire display caseback. The manually-wound calibre CHR 29-535 PS Q is as much a work of art as the rest of the watch, practically defining elegance.

Price: A$482,000

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked

Instantly setting itself apart from other white gold cases, the ‘frosted’ finish of this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak almost looks bejewelled without the need for gratuitous gem-setting. Hammered into the metal with diamond tools, the result is a matte texture that is remarkably decorative rather than utilitarian, making it a refreshing break from the same alternating brushing and polishing we see on practically every other watch. To make it further distinct from other Royal Oaks, the calibre 3132 is on display with a gorgeous openworked dial. This lets you look into the double balance wheel assembly, which increases the inertia and hence the stability and accuracy.

Price: A$152,000

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate 910P

If you’re unfamiliar with Piaget and wondering why you can see half of the movement packed in with the dial, it’s because Piaget are known for their ultra-thin watches. The entire Piaget Altiplano Ultimate 910P is only 4.3mm thick, which is thinner than even the domed crystals of some watches. The movement and dial have become one to save space, also integrating the 18k white gold case for a depiction of luxury and technical achievement like no other. It almost disappears when seen from a side view, but the 41mm diameter gives it an impressive wrist presence otherwise.

Price: A$58,500

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Whatever your preferences may be, the Rolex Daytona is the definitive luxury chronograph. In both brand power and amount of imitations it has no equal, and rendering it in white gold is just one extra step of flex than the already-scarce steel version. Of course, there’s the platinum version for the truly outrageous, and the Le Mans special edition no amount of prayers would likely score you an allocation, but the bright blue dial is too much of a giveaway to truly enjoy the stealth-wealth aspect of white precious metals. In white gold with a black or silver dial, you can bask in all of the Daytona’s classic elements, its 100m of water resistance, and the white gold Oyster bracelet with an Easylink-equipped clasp.

Price: A$62,900