Sparkling on your wrist! 5 luxury watches made with 18K yellow gold

Gold is a metal that has played an important role in human history due to its characteristics, such as being used as a symbol of power, in jewelry, as currency, and for industrial purposes. We have carefully selected five luxury watches made of 18K yellow gold that allow you to enjoy its brilliant shine.

The captivating world of gold

　Gold has always been a material that people have longed for. In addition to its rarity due to limited mining resources, its excellent corrosion resistance allows it to retain its brilliant shine for a long period of time. Gold has sometimes been a symbol of wealth and power, and has played an important role in human history.

　Gold is a historic material that has been used primarily as an exterior material for watches since the early days due to its status, ease of processing, and durability. Gold is soft on its own, so when used in watches and accessories, it is generally made into an 18K alloy. Depending on the metals mixed with it, it can be given a variety of colors, including yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.

　This time, we will introduce five current models made of 18K yellow gold, the most basic material with a color closest to the original gold. Recently, gold has been the subject of much discussion regarding its rising market value, but why not take a purer look at the sweet world that lies beneath its brilliance?

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

　This full gold model joins the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea, Rolex's pride and joy, a high-spec diver's watch. While retaining its position as a saturation diving watch with a helium escape valve at 9 o'clock, this model, combined with gorgeous 18K yellow gold, caused quite a stir when it was announced in 2024.

　The dial is finished with a vibrant blue lacquer. The indexes, a combination of dots, bars, and triangles, are a design found on many of Rolex's professional models. The indexes and hands are coated with Chromalight, a luminous paint that glows blue for a long time. The "DEEPSEA" inscription at 6 o'clock is finished in powder yellow, contributing to the design accent. The Cerachrom bezel insert and pressure ring are also blue, harmonizing with the dial.

　While the stainless steel version featured a hairline finish, this 18K yellow gold model features polished center links on the bracelet for a more glamorous look, while the case back and helium escape valve are crafted from RLX titanium.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M, Ref. 522.53.38.20.03.001

　Omega, the official timekeeper of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, has released an 18K yellow gold case model of the Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M to commemorate the Games. The blue ceramic dial is laser-engraved with a pattern based on the Games' emblem. The date display is located at the 6 o'clock position and features a symmetrical design. The rounded indexes and hands are coated with luminous paint, ensuring high visibility day and night. The hour hand is dauphine-shaped and the minute hand is arrow-shaped, both iconic designs characteristic of the Aqua Terra.

　The case has a diameter of 38mm, making it a comfortable size for both men and women. It features elegant twisted lugs, which are polished and brushed to create a three-dimensional finish. The case back is fixed to the middle case with four screws. The tournament emblem is placed in the center, giving it the special feel that only a commemorative model can have. The strap is made of blue alligator leather, and has an elegance befitting the gold case.

　The movement is the automatic Cal. 8801. Equipped with a coaxial escapement and silicon balance spring, it is a movement that has been certified as a Master Chronometer and is known for its excellent precision and magnetic resistance.

Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222, Ref. 4200H/222J-B935

　Vacheron Constantin's "222" is a sporty bracelet watch that was released in 1977 to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the company's founding. In 2022, an 18K yellow gold case model was reissued as the "Historiques 222," followed by a stainless steel model in 2025.

　The Historiques 222 18K yellow gold case model is a modern arrangement of the original "Ref. 44018" while retaining the characteristics of the original, and features a simple two-hand gold-colored dial with bar indexes and baton-shaped hour and minute hands.

　The signature feature of the 222 is its notched bezel. This was originally a functional design adopted to allow the bezel to be screwed onto the middle case. The flat case flows smoothly into the bracelet, and the brushed finish enhances the sense of unity. The bracelet moves smoothly, and the pins connecting the links are hidden, giving it a clean look. The Maltese cross on the corner of the case is a design symbolizing Vacheron Constantin.

　The Cal. 2455/2 is an automatic movement with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The craftsmanship, which meets the standards of the Poinçon de Genève, such as the rotor engraved with the 222 logo and the bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève, can be appreciated through the see-through caseback.

Tudor "Black Bay 58 18K" Ref. M79018V-0006

　Inspired by the Oyster Prince Submariner Ref. 7924, a Tudor diver's watch released in 1958, the Black Bay 58 is available in a variety of case materials, including stainless steel, 925 silver, and bronze. One of these is this model, which features an 18K yellow gold case.

　The symmetrical dial, with no date display, is a slightly faded, vintage-inspired green. It features highly legible indexes made up of dots, bars, and triangles, and Tudor's signature snowflake-shaped hour hand. The unidirectional rotating bezel is fitted with a green anodized aluminum disc.

　The case and bracelet are both made of 18K yellow gold, but they are not flashy. Most of them have a hairline finish to reduce light reflection, preserving the classic design of the Black Bay.

　The bracelet is fitted with a robust double-locking buckle, which features a unique "T-fit" adjustment system that allows for fine adjustment of the wrist circumference with one touch, without the need for tools.

　The movement is the Kenissi Cal. MT5400, which boasts high practicality, including high precision that meets the standards of a COSC-certified chronometer, a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, and excellent magnetic resistance thanks to a silicon balance spring.

Cartier Tank Americaine Ref.WGTA0300

　The Tank, a beloved Cartier collection since its launch in 1919, has spawned numerous derivative models throughout its long history, including the Tank Américaine, which debuted in 1988. Featuring a rectangular case with pronounced curves and rounded edges, the Tank Américaine was well-received for its elegant design and has undergone numerous updates to the present day.

　The current model, "Ref. WGTA0300," features a satin-brushed silver dial with iconic Roman numeral indexes and a railway minute circle, accented by blued steel baton-shaped hour and minute hands. Its dress-watch-like appearance, lacking a date display or second hand, makes it suitable for glamorous party scenes.

　The 18K yellow gold case is complemented by a curved sapphire crystal and a crown set with a sapphire, highlighting its elegant curves. The navy blue strap is made of semi-matt alligator leather and is fitted with Cartier's signature D-buckle, making it easy to fasten and remove from the wrist.

　Another attractive feature is that it is equipped with an automatic movement, allowing you to enjoy the operation that only a mechanical watch can provide.