Want to brush up on your terminology and find your next dream timepiece? Don’t miss GQ’s ultimate guide to watches for men.
Back in olden times, gold watches for men were part of a uniform that included three-piece suits, shiny leather-soled shoes, and a haircut known simply as “The Executive.” Fortunately, while dress codes have loosened up considerably since your grandad’s day, the allure of the gold watch remains just as strong as ever. Not only does the rich, lustrous shine of a gold timepiece carry a ton of old-school gravitas, there’s a near-infinite variety across every imaginable style and price point. That means you can opt for a funky ‘80s digital watch in gold-tone stainless steel, a Swiss-made masterpiece in solid 18k rose, or a vault’s worth of elite options in between.
Gold watches for men are surprisingly versatile, but in general, a slimmer, more refined timepiece works best with a slim, buttoned-down look, while chunkier ones work best with off-duty fits. Aside from that, there’s really only one rule that matters: as with perfume and animal prints, a little gold goes a long way.
Whether you’re after an $70 Timex or a $10,000 Rolex, love the flash of classic yellow gold or prefer something subtler on a leather strap, these are the absolute best men’s gold watches for every taste, budget, and occasion.
The Best Gold Watches Under $200
Timex T80 watch
This throwback to the days of Armani power suits and Spandex is the best ’80s tribute since Cobra Kai.
Skagen Ancher Midnight watch
Danish designers perfected modern minimalism, and as you can see from this gold-tinged wristwatch, they continue to do less-is-more better than pretty much anyone else.
Breda Pulse watch
If a 1970s digital watch and a gold bar had a baby, this funky little unit is what it would look like.
Bulova Classic watch
If ever there was a watch that demanded to be worn with a turtleneck and a moustache, this tonneau-shaped Bulova is it.
The Best Gold Watches Under $500
Tissot Heritage Memphis watch
Designed by Memphis Group founder (and father of 1980s postmodernism) Ettore Sottsass in 1988, this Tissot revival encapsulates the era’s effervescent aesthetic, minus the squiggly lines and plus a tasteful hit of gold.
Timex Marlin Automatic watch
Comfortable, versatile, and classic—think of this analog beaut as the black lace-up brogues of your watch rotation.
Q Timex Reissue watch
Along with big floppy lapels and auteur cinema, gold sports watches like this one really blew up during the ’70s. Yanked straight from the Timex archives, it’s ready to add a touch of decadence to your biggest summer fits.
Seiko 5 Sports watch
Much like Timothée Chalamet, the Seiko 5 Sports tends to look good in pretty much anything, including head-to-toe gold.
The Best Gold Watches Under $1,000
Movado Bold Mesh Bracelet watch
Think minimalism and maximalism can’t work together? This decadent take on Movado’s Museum Watch says otherwise.
Hamilton Ventura watch
The good news: The world has changed a lot since the 1950s. The even better news: This Elvis-approved watch hasn’t changed a bit.
Casio G-Shock watch
When the answer to “How much gold do you want?” is “Yes.”
Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 watch
With your dive watch as with your loafers, two-tones are better than one.
The Best Gold Watches Under $5,000
Longines Presence watch
If this wristwatch was any more formal it’d be wearing a white tux. But that doesn’t mean it won’t look right with jeans and a button-down, too.
Bulova Breton watch
Original Art Deco watches from the 1920s are now close to a century old, making them both expensive and temperamental. This one offers all of the streamlined looks of the era, and none of the hassle of wearing a 100-year old antique on your wrist.
Frederique Constant Highlife Heart Beat watch
This low-key Swiss brand is known for modern design and high-end movements at (relatively) reasonable prices. With its engraved dial, rose gold-plated case, and an automatic movement visible through a cutout at 12, the Highlife epitomizes what Frederique Constant does best.
$2,395
Frederique Constant
Rado New Original Automatic watch
As the first-ever watch to feature a scratch-proof case and a sapphire crystal, the Diastar was the future of watches in the 1960s. Scratchproof metal is a lot more common these days, but the Diastar’s delightfully weird case is still a flex—particularly in gold-tone PVD.
The Best Gold Watches When Price Is No Object
Cartier Santos watch
One of the coolest things about this old-school pilot’s watch is how little it has changed since the early 1900s. But we suppose we can live with the addition of a case and bracelet made out of 18k pink gold.
Chopard Alpine Eagle Chronograph watch
Like everything this family-owned Swiss brand makes, every detail of this chronograph was meticulously considered down to the millimetre. The result? Perfectly aligned screws on the bezel, ethically-sourced rose gold, and a COSC-approved automatic movement developed, produced, and assembled by Chopard.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18k watch
An 18k gold watch is good, but an 18k gold watch with a green dial is better.
Jacquet Droz Grande Seconde Ivory Enamel Dial watch
In gold watches (and pretty much everything else that matters) quality is more important than quantity. Let this slim and stately 18th century design in 18k red gold show you the way.
