Fratello Talks: Gold Watches Revisited
There’s something special about gold watches that goes beyond the opulent, warm tone of their shiny exteriors. In the past, they served to mark significant milestones, special occasions, or outstanding achievements. These are often immortalized with an engraving on the case back. Today, on Fratello Talks, we’ve found inspiration to revisit the topic of gold watches. Several new releases from Nomos with solid-gold cases, including three new Tangente models and two new Ludwig references, prompted this. The guys touch on those but also discuss their feelings about watches cased in this precious metal. They also share personal experiences with gold watches and discuss the meaning they hold for them. Before we dive in, though, let’s see what’s on their wrists.
Wrist check
RJ kicks off this all-Nomos wrist check with his Zürich Weltzeit “The Hague” Fratello LE from 2021. This was the first panda-dial version of Nomos’s signature Weltzeit model. It included some subtle details, such as the Central European time zone being marked “The Hague” (Fratello HQ’s hometown) instead of the usual “Berlin” and an orange pointer for the 24-hour disk.
Daan is rocking one of the two new Nomos Ludwig models introduced a couple of weeks ago in a new 35mm 18K gold case. This one features case-matching gold hands, creating a more elegant look overall. Its counterpart (ref. 211) has blued steel hands, which add contrast and give it a slightly dressed-down look.
And finally, and rather predictably, Nacho is wearing his beloved Club Sport Neomatik Weltzeit/Worldtimer in the limited-edition Jungle colorway. He’s opted to pair it with a matching green suede strap from Veblenist. This one hasn’t been far from his wrist for very long since he got it, and is likely to face a decent run of wrist time in 2026.
Fratello Talks: Gold Watches Revisited
In this week’s Fratello Talks, the team takes a fresh look at gold watches and why they continue to stand out. Even as trends shift, gold keeps its appeal thanks to its warm color, pleasant weight, and the way it develops character over time. They discuss what sets gold apart from steel. It’s not just the material value but also the feel, finish, and subtle charm that come with wearing a precious-metal watch. The conversation explores how their taste for gold watches has evolved, as well as why some collectors consider them long-term, meaningful additions to their collections.
Holding a 7kg bar of gold in Chopard’s gold foundry
Rather than focusing on bold statements, the guys explore the quieter qualities that make gold watches enjoyable to wear. They also take a look at some of the rare non-vintage options available in solid gold at the sub-€10k price point.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you enjoy gold watches? What was your first gold watch? And what would be your golden grail? Let us know in the comments section below, and tune in next week for more Fratello Talks.
