5 Best Two-Tone Watches | The Watch Club by SwissWatchExpo

Two-tone, steel and yellow gold watches were all the rage in the 1980s. Back then, it was popular among traders on Wall Street; and a two-tone Rolex in particular was a clear sign that someone had made it.

Christian Bale wore one in American Psycho,;and so did Matthew McConaughey in Wolf of Wall Street. For a long time, two-tone watches were associated with professionals from a bygone era and was seen as a retro design choice by many – until recently.

Two-tone watches have officially made a comeback. More recent watches have shown that the bi-color design can be worn the right way and in a myriad of styles – from dive watches to chronographs.

So here are 5 of our favorite two-tone watches. They give the best of both worlds, with a thoroughly modern look.

Rolex Seadweller Black Dial Steel Yellow Gold Mens Watch 126603

Rolex Sea-Dweller Steel and Yellow Gold

The two-tone Sea-Dweller of 2019 was an unexpected release. The Sea-Dweller, after all, has always been professional tool watch for divers. Now, if you want to take some gold with you while diving 4,000 feet under water, you can!

The two-tone Sea-Dweller (ref 126603) is technically the same as its predecessor in steel, with Rolex’s modern calibre 3235 and with touches of gold in all the right places.

The ceramic bezel is framed by a solid gold knurled edge and topped with gold markings, the crown and center links are fashioned in 18k yellow gold and the Sea-Dweller text is done in a tasteful shade of yellow.

With the two-tone Sea-Dweller, Rolex took a serious tool watch concept and added just enough levity.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel Yellow Gold Mens Watch 79363

Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G

Breathing new life to the original Tudor Black Bay Chrono’s silver and black color scheme, the Black Bay S&G or Steel & Gold (ref 79363) is a more attention-grabbing timepiece without being over the top.

This is due mostly to the very mellow tone of gold used and the right ratio of gold to black and steel. With touches of gold on the sub-dials, tachymeter scale and pushers, plus a gilt chapter ring, the result is a cohesive design that’s full of personality.

Tudor also went all out with the bracelet options: it’s available on a two-tone bracelet, bund strap, leather strap, and fabric strap.

Rolex Datejust 41 Steel Yellow Gold Grey Dial Green Numerals Mens Watch 126333

Rolex Datejust 41 Wimbledon Two Tone

The two-tone Rolex Datejust 41 is a modern take on the classic Rolesor Datejust. With a bigger case size and gracefully refined case, this is the modern-sized Datejust that fans have asked for all along.

The Datejust 41 has a very healthy variety of two-tone models available (including steel and 18k rose gold designs) but the Wimbledon dial, in particular, is a standout. The combination of 18k yellow gold, a sunburst rhodium dial and dark green roman numerals is unexpected but radiates pure class.

Cartier Skeleton Horloge Santos Steel Yellow Gold Watch WHSA0019

Cartier Skeleton Horloge Santos Two Tone

With a sleek squarish case, an open worked dial and the industrial look that the Santos is famous for, the Cartier Skeleton Horloge Santos (ref WHSA0019) is the antithesis of the vintage two-tone watch we have come to know.

The muted gold bezel frames the stripped back Calibre 9611MC movement, which beautifully and cleverly integrates Cartier’s signature roman numerals in steel. The exposed screws on the bracelet are also done in yellow gold, creating a cohesive and uncluttered look.

Omega Speedmaster Steel Yellow Gold Mens Watches

Omega Speedmaster Two Tone

The Omega Speedmaster is traditionally an all-steel sports watch. In the past, mostly for commemorative editions, gold and platinum have also been used. For Speedy fans who want something different but consider precious metals to be too flashy, the two-tone is an excellent compromise.

The Speedy has a great variety of two-tone watches in varying degrees of gold – there are full gold bezels or traditional black bezels with gold trimmings; full champagne dials, or just gold chronograph sub-dials. Two-tone Speedmaster bracelets are subtly lined with gold on the center links, keeping the ratio of the metals just right.

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