With the demand for steel watches dominating the industry, particularly for dive watches, it’s a pleasant surprise to see the demand for precious metal watches begin to rise. Considered the best of all the precious metals, platinum is the most exclusive amongst horologists and any watch enthusiast will aspire to own one.
With the retail price of platinum watches being significantly higher than their steel equivalents but with a fraction of the demand, it begs the question, are platinum watches worth it?
Things to consider when shopping for a platinum watch is that it’s significantly weightier than stainless steel and gold. The platinum is much harder to work with than stainless steel or gold, it’s a tough material so manufacturer is more laborious and as a result pushes the price up.
Rolex
Rolex Day-Date 40
Rolex feature the ice-blue dial across all their platinum watches, a discreet indicator of an exclusive timepiece, you’ll no doubt have seen the iconic platinum Daytona. This Day-date features the classic blue with a diagonal-motif dial and president bracelet.
Case: Platinum, 40mm
Strap: Platinum
Movement: Calibre 3255, Manufacture Rolex
Water resistant: 100 metres
Swatch Group
Omega Moonwatch Professional Chronograph 42mm
The Speedmaster 321 in Platinum is a unique homage to the history of Omega’s Speedmaster and perfect for the space enthusiast out there. Featuring lunar meteorite in the three sub-dials, a nod to the fact the Speedmaster has been a part of all six lunar missions, this beautiful watch also has a black onyx step dial with 18ct gold indexes, a truly luxurious timepiece.
Case: Platinum, 42mm
Strap: Black leather
Movement: Calibre: Omega 321
Water resistant: 50 metres
Breitling
Breitling AVI 1953 Re-Edition
For those who appreciate a good aviator watch, the re-edition of the AVI, first released back in 1953, is one covetable watch, particularly as it’s a limited run of only 1953 (see what they did there?). Only Breitling’s second ever re-edition, they’ve gone bold. Featuring large, Arabic numerals and a gold vintage-inspired leather strap with a pin buckle.
Case: Platinum, 41.1mm
Strap: Brown leather
Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09
Water resistant: 30 metres
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
An elegant, luxurious dress watch that’s unique in appearance and unlike other Patek Philippe watches. The platinum Golden Ellipse is thin and minimal, though its unusal shape and blue face making it quite striking all the same. Quite the exclusive piece to have in your arsenal.
Case: Platinum, 34.5mm
Strap: Blue leather
Movement: Self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 240
Water resistant: 30 metres
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat
A fine watch of high horology, the detail on this Traditionnelle Twin Beat flaunts the skilled craftsmanship involved in creating it. Features extend beyond the standard hours, minutes and date into displaying the month, leap year cycle and power reserve on its dial.
Case: Platinum, 42mm
Strap: Mississippiensis alligator leather
Movement: calibre 3610 QP
Water resistant: 30 metres
Cartier
Cartier Tonneau
The Tonneau is a simple, minimalist watch with roman numerals and blue steel hands. It’s a classy, classic dress watch of the highest quality.
Case: Platinum, 29.8mm
Strap: Blue alligator leather
Movement: mechanical movement with manual winding
Water resistant: 30 metres
Zenith
Zenith Fusée Tourbillon Platinum
If you appreciate the mechanics that go into creating a watch, you’ll appreciate the Fusée Tourbillon with its exposed movement. The watch houses the new El Primero 4805 SK calibre and look closely and you’ll see the small red-tip hand which indicates the power reseve.
Case: Platinum, 44mm
Strap: Black alligator leather
Movement: El Primero 4805 SK calibre
Water resistant: 10 ATM