White gold is one of the most interesting Rolex watch materials, because it is often not visibly distinguishable from stainless steel, yet costs significantly more. This raises some key questions: Why do some buyers prefer the more expensive white gold option, and what are the advantages of choosing white gold over stainless steel?

Firstly, it is notable that white gold is both heavier and more resistant to corrosion than stainless steel. In addition, it is a more valuable material, providing a clearer sense of luxury, while retaining a more understated appearance than either yellow or rose gold. With that being said, white gold is also less scratch resistant than steel.

Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of personal preference, as well as budget. The white gold used on Rolex models comes from the brand’s own exclusive foundry and is a proprietary 18k alloy. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the best watches available to customers seeking a white gold Rolex.

Rolex White Gold Daytona

The Rolex Daytona is one of the brand’s most famous models, enjoying iconic status, as well as associations with celebrity wearers like Paul Newman. However, stainless steel models have extremely long waiting lists, meaning many buyers turn instead to the white gold options, as they look similar and are easier to purchase.

There are two main options here: a full white gold Daytona, where the case, bezel and bracelet are made from white gold, or a white gold Daytona with an Oysterflex rubber wristband and a ceramic bezel. It could be argued that the latter is a two-tone model, with the white gold case contrasting with the black rubber and ceramic.

Rolex White Gold Submariner

The Rolex Submariner collection is the brand’s most popular diver’s watch, offering water resistance for up to 300 metres / 1,000 feet. The white gold model comes with a blue dial and a blue ceramic unidirectional bezel. This gives the watch a very clear aquatic aesthetic, in-keeping with its diving heritage.

White gold’s corrosion resistance is ideal for a diver’s watch and works nicely alongside the ceramic bezel, which has similar resistance properties. One thing for buyers to be aware of is the fact that white gold Submariners are the most expensive models, with yellow gold, steel and two-tone models all having a lower retail price.

Rolex White Gold GMT-Master II

By far the most iconic white gold timepiece in the current Rolex catalogue is the white gold GMT-Master II with a red/blue ‘Pepsi’ dial. The modern version of this watch was unveiled at Baselworld 2014, but the ‘Pepsi’ dial itself has a history dating all the way back to 1954 and has been worn by everyone from Che Guevara to Orlando Bloom.

Previously, GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ watches were available in stainless steel, but the current generation models are exclusively constructed from white gold. While older models had aluminium dials, which were prone to fading over time, the newer models have ceramic bezels, which are more robust and retain the color for much longer.

Rolex White Gold Yacht-Master II

Rolex Yacht-Master models are sporty watches, which draw on the brand’s long-standing associations with yachting and sea adventure. The Yacht-Master II line is a separate but related collection, characterised by large 44mm cases and a 10-minute countdown timer, complete with its own mechanical memory.

Within this collection, the white gold version is one of the most visually pleasing, given its clean, uniformed appearance. The model features a white gold case and a platinum bezel, avoiding the color contrast seen with other Yacht-Master II models. It also features luminous dial markers and hands, for improved legibility.

Rolex White Gold Yacht-Master 42

Another white gold model can be found within the Yacht-Master 42 collection and this has a drastically different aesthetic from the aforementioned Yacht-Master II. This particular timepiece was first introduced in 2010 and combines a white gold case with a black Oysterflex rubber wristband and a ceramic bezel.

Given the combination of white gold, black rubber and black ceramic, this can also be viewed as a two-tone model, albeit without the presence of steel, which is see with the more conventional two-tone Rolex watches. The contrast between the white gold and black also helps to provide the model with a very sporty, modern aesthetic.

Rolex White Gold Day-Date President

The Rolex Day-Date President is a dress watch, which features both a date display window and a day of the week display on the dial. It has been the preferred watch of multiple US Presidents, and the Day-Date is only available in full gold or other precious materials, meaning there are no stainless steel versions.

As a result, the white gold Day-Date watches are the closest customers can get to the appearance of a stainless steel model. Buyers have the choice of a wide range of different dial colors, along with index, Arabic, Roman numeral or diamond dial markers, meaning there is plenty of scope for customization.

Rolex White Gold Datejust 36

One of the Rolex brand’s flagship collections, the Datejust is a dress watch with a date display window. With the white gold models, only the fluted bezel is actually made from white gold, while the case and bracelet are crafted from stainless steel. Fluted bezels are only available in white gold, while smooth bezels are only available in steel.

At 36mm, these watches are now considered to be on the smaller side of the men’s sizes, based on modern trends. With that being said, the first Datejust models were 36mm in diameter and this has helped to ensure the Datejust 36 collection still has many admirers, especially among Rolex purists.

Rolex White Gold Datejust 41

The Datejust 41 collection is significantly larger than the aforementioned Datejust 36 range and is more in-keeping with the modern trend for larger timepieces. Nevertheless, aside from the increased size, the white gold versions here follow the same basic principles as with the 36mm timepieces.

Again, only the fluted bezel is actually crafted from white gold, with the case and bracelet being made from stainless steel. There is no option for a smooth bezel in white gold, just as there is no fluted bezel in steel. Various dial colors are available, including black, white, silver, blue and white mother of pearl.

Rolex White Gold Lady Datejust 31

The Lady-Datejust 31 is considerably smaller than the Datejust models described above, but is considered a mid-size option within the ladies’ range. The vast majority of these models follow the same principle, where only the fluted bezel is made from white gold and where buyers can choose either an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet.

Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions within this particular collection, which are regarded as full white gold timepieces. With these, the white gold fluted bezel is actually replaced by a diamond bezel. Yet, the case is crafted from 18k white gold, as is the President bracelet, which takes the place of the Oyster or Jubilee options.

Rolex White Gold Sky-Dweller

Marketed as a traveller’s watch, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is characterised by its 42mm case, sporty appearance and the presence of a 24-hour sub-dial, which displays a second time zone. The watches in this collection are available in a number of different case materials, but the white gold option stands out for the right reasons.

Once again, these timepieces feature fluted white gold bezels, although unlike with the men’s Datejust models, the case and bracelet are also crafted from white gold as well. Buyers have a total of three different dial color options: black, blue or white, with the black dial offering the strongest contrast with the dial markers.

Rolex White Gold Cellini

For customers seeking something a little bit different, a white gold Rolex Cellini may be just what the doctor ordered. Although it is not one of the manufacturer’s best-sellers, the Cellini range is the brand’s attempt to embrace classicism and traditional watch-making, while also making use of new movements.

The watches are only available in either white gold or rose gold, with the white gold option providing a more sophisticated and understated aesthetic. Buyers can opt for either a fluted or diamond set bezel, along with their choice from a variety of different dial colors, including black, white, silver and dark blue.

Rolex White Gold Pearlmaster

Finally, the Rolex Pearlmaster is essentially a re-imagining of the Lady-Datejust range, with either a 34mm or 39mm case. All of these models are made from precious metals, and all are also decorated with either diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or a combination, giving them a more overt and in-your-face sense of luxury.

Among the white gold options, there are various different diamond configurations, from diamond set and full diamond bezels, right through to the most extravagant option, which features paved diamonds on the dial, case and bracelet. These watches are primarily worn by women and are perfect for those seeking a bold status symbol.

The Last Word

Ultimately, white gold is one of three different gold options offered by Rolex, alongside yellow gold and rose gold. Although it is visually very similar to stainless steel, white gold is a more valuable material, which is heavier, offers improved resistance to corrosion and provides buyers with a greater element of luxury.

There are a range of different Rolex collections that feature visually appealing white gold options, as described above. On the Jaztime.com online store, you will be able to find all of these models for the best possible price.