Love it or hate it, two-tone watches are here to stay. Some consider them the best of both worlds, easy to match with gold or silver accessories. Others consider them a forbidden combination. Two-tone watches, classic as they may be, are not for the timid. They’re not quite as eye-catching as a full gold setup, but they make all steel watches look muted by comparison. If you’re a fan of bi-color timepieces or just two-tone curious then check out the watches that have proven to be crowd favorites on Chrono24. For our top 5, we have selected the leading model for each brand.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR
While other Rolex GMTs lean towards cool and crisp in their color palettes, the “Root Beer” makes use of warm and earthy tones. The prevalence of Everose gold, Rolex’s proprietary rose gold alloy, lends a luxurious air while the Oyster bracelet keeps it grounded as a sports watch. There are many enthusiasts among us who long for the return of the Root Beer on a Jubilee bracelet, but that’s a discussion for another article.
Cartier Santos De Cartier W2SA0016
It wouldn’t be a proper two-tone list without Cartier. The Santos is a natural canvas for the bi-metal approach with gold screws punctuating the steel bracelet and a polished gold bezel framing the signature Roman numeral dial. There’s a certain 1980s Wall Street look to the two-tone Santos, but it’s a look that feels confident and stylish, even when done in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way. And what is the Santos if not a blending of the industrial and the glamorous?
Tudor Prince Date Day 76213
It’s tough for a two-tone watch to feel understated or low-key, but this watch may be a rare example of just that. The Date Day is Tudor’s answer to the Rolex Day Date (notice the reverse order of the model names). And like the Rolex, the Tudor Date Day comes in a wide range of dial offerings across various colors, textures, and styles of hour markers. It’s yet another instance of Tudor providing the look, feel, and build quality of a Rolex at a decidedly more approachable price.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 15550SR.OO.1356SR.02
Integrated bracelet watches seem to work particularly well in two-tone. Like the Santos, the Royal Oak bracelet is delightfully accented with dashes of rose gold that add to the visual rhythm of the bracelet. The rose gold also brings out a certain warmth in the dial that steel alone could not. The 37mm case size make this watch a unisex option, and slightly smaller case sizes help keep precious metal watches from feeling too overpowering.
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 51.2080.4061/69.C494
Some watches on this list try to achieve a certain level of understatement, but not this one. The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero is loud and proud, showing off the El Primero chronograph caliber through the open heart aperture on the dial. It’s an exercise in taking classic design to more extreme territory and adding a touch of gold just because. This is for someone who likes a watch that invites a conversation, and with all the history and technicality of the El Primero, there’s a lot to talk about.
