Why Are There No Gold Watches Under 100 Dollars?
To start with, gold is a premium material.
These watches make some of the best men's watches that we have seen to date, and they are a perfect replacement for the over-used black color.
That alone could explain why it would be impossible to find a good piece selling for such a price. Even manufacturers like Nordgreen, who take a minimalist design approach to their luxury watch collection, do not have a piece at that price range.
Besides the fact that the gold-tone costs a premium out of the box, the material is also quite difficult to work with. Being a soft metal material, that is not so surprising. Thus, the skills required to craft this material into the desired timepiece won't come cheap either.
Likewise, brand perception is something to consider here. Some brands have positioned themselves to target only the high-end markets and, as such, will push their prices up for a more defined look of quality.
There are other factors, but the above define why the watch market sets a premium on gold watches – and you are better off weighing your options if you want this hue on your watch.
Types Of "Gold" Watches
While we don't recommend buying a watch that sells for under 100 of any currency, you don't have to shell out thousands of dollars to enjoy one either.
When out to buy yourself an affordable gold piece, make sure to keep the following ratings and standards in mind.
Gold-plated wristwatches
Gold-plated wristwatches are also gold timepieces. The only difference here is in how much of the metal both classes of wristwatches carry.
As the name implies, a gold-plated watch has the gold material deposited on top of the stainless-steel case, outer bezel, and other external features. If the watch were to use a stainless-steel band instead of, say, a leather strap, the same gold deposit could be extended to it.
The advantage of gold plating is that it allows you to have the real material and its natural color on your watch at a more affordable rate. The downside is that a small scratch can get the gold off of your watch.
P.S. Some brands pass off their gold-painted wristwatches as gold plated. The gold color tends to be yellower than the hue on the real gold material, so look out for that. Save yourself the trouble and buy from a reputable brand in the first place.
Gold-filled wristwatches
There is little difference between a gold-filled and a gold-plated watch, but they are a little bit pricier than their cousins.
The grade of gold used in this method is elevated to 10 karat or 14 karats, depending on the desired outcome. Likewise, the thickness of the gold deposit on the basic stainless-steel case is higher here – so much that gold content is about 5% in the least.
This also helps the water-resistance level of most of these timepieces (but that does not mean they are all at the pro diver level).
That said, you should still be wary of scratches on gold-filled wristwatches. Like their gold-plated counterparts, the same issue persists.
Gold-capped wristwatches
This classic solution was quite popular in the past (from the 50s through the 60s), but they are less favored today.
Gold-capped wristwatches deploy a thick golden case around the face of the timepiece and its stainless-steel case. It almost looks like a bezel – or it could even be used as the watch bezel itself.
These units were either sold as pocket wristwatches (with a chain attached) or paired with a leather strap for a better sense of style.
Bi-color wristwatches
Bi-color wristwatches did not come cheap, but they allowed brands to design a fine piece for customers at a respectable price range. And oh, the market did love it.
The dual-tone of the watch is achieved by pairing gold parts with other metals – usually stainless steel – for the complete build.
Surprisingly, as much as the watch enthusiasts loved to have one of these around their wrist, the bi-color watches were not that popular with manufacturers themselves.
Solid gold wristwatches
And the crown jewel of all the gold watches so far.
As the name implies, the wristwatches leave no stone unturned in leveraging gold wherever they can. Although sometimes missing from the watch movement, every other aspect of the watch carries the color and tone.
That said, some extremely rare and limited-edition gold watch picks could have gold in their movement also. These are most likely the wristwatches with automatic movement, but nothing stops a Japanese quartz movement from being made of gold also.
Buying Guide: Picking the Best Gold Watches for the Money
Now that we have established that there are rarely fine men's watches under 100 dollars (or in most other units of currency), we are one step closer to finding the best watch for you.
With that in mind, always look at the following when choosing a nice gold watch to add to your collection.
Brand Image
Always go with a good brand.
For one, you are sure that a reputable brand knows what they are doing – and the social proof they have behind them from the testimonies of countless buyers confirms that.
Likewise, a good brand offers you after-sales support, stands by their products, and makes you confident in that timepiece you wear around your wrist.
That, and you are always sure that you are getting a good value for your money, not gambling your hard-earned cash away.
Movement
Most people treat the movement on their wristwatches as an afterthought.
Your watch movement says a lot about your style and fashion than you know. An automatic movement is best suited to the classic man who never goes out of fashion. A Japanese quartz movement, for example, is our choice for the modern man who keeps reinventing his style while staying true to the minimalist lifestyle.
No matter which one you love – from automatic through swiss to the Japanese quartz movement – you cannot go wrong.
If you would prefer a watch that runs smoothly, keeps time right, and requires little to no maintenance, though, a simple Japanese quartz watch movement (like the trademarked Miyota movement we use at Nordgreen) is your best bet.
Size
Poor sizing makes your watch wiggle free, giving off a sloppy vibe. We're sure you don't want that.
The watch diameter is the first place to look at for size. Most men find a good fit within the 38m – 40mm watch diameters. If you happen to want less or more on the frame, we have timepieces ranging from 32mm to the 42mm diameter mark also.
Strap
Should you buy a stainless-steel band, opt for a leather band or see what mesh bracelets have to offer you?
Here, the choice is all yours.
Gold watches look great with a leather band to them – especially when it is a deep black or light brown. That said, you can have your entire watch decked out in stainless steel/ other metal right down to the strap.
Color
Why do we have to discuss colors? After all, aren't gold watches the concern here?
That's true, but gold comes in several hues too. At Nordgreen, for example, we don't only carry gold-tone wristwatches for men, but beautiful rose gold finishes too.
Leaving the watch case for a moment, the colors on the watch display/ dial are also important.
A navy-blue display is tricky, but you can pair that with simple gold color. We like to reserve the white and black watch display for rose gold picks instead – and you will see why when you slap one on also.
Purpose
Finally, know why you need the watch.
Gold watches are a fine sight in formal events, on a date, as a daily driver to a white-collar job or a timepiece that accompanies you to other organized gatherings (such as a church, picnics, etc.). It would be out of place to use a gold watch as a field watch, though.
If the latter is what you need, you are better off with a water-resistant, durable, and rugged unit that can take on the outdoors better. Knowing fully well that your gold-plated watch can lose its shine and allure when scratched, you should see where we are coming from here.
Does Nordgreen Offer Gold Watches for Men?
All of our wristwatches come in an optional shade of gold or rose gold, as you see fit.
From the Native watches through the Philosopher series down to the Pioneer units, these models are well crafted to suit your every need.
The Native, for example, is so simple that it lacks even a date window dial complication, making it one of the best dress watches you can have in gold.
When looking for something more, but not too much still, the Philosopher watch takes the reins. Save for the hour hands and the watch brand information; the only other thing on the watch face is a date display complication on the dial.
The elevated hour markers do well to complement the sturdy frame on the gold-tone watch.
You can either wear this as a dress watch, but it also doubles as a casual, everyday watch – especially in the silver tone. In the gold finish, the same watch commands even more respect.
That leaves us with the Pioneer watch, which brings a large window to the table. At 42mm, the diameter is large enough to house both functional chronographs, legible hour markers, and a date display inside a very sturdy case.
No matter which one of these wristwatches you go for, you get to pair them with an assortment of straps, decide on which dial colors are perfect for your style, and enjoy the trustworthy Japanese quartz movement, alongside minimal water resistance rating to safeguard your investment against water damage.
