There’s no way around it — two-tone is not for everyone.
While some love the subtle combination of different metals or welcome an alternative to full-on gold, others decry the resulting look as tacky. (“Used car salesman” is a reference bandied about quite a bit when referring to this aesthetic!) However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that two-tone watches take many forms, and while some are certainly loud, others are much more subtle, integrating fairly little of a second metal. What’s more, two-tone can be found everywhere, from svelte dress watches to chunky tool watches. Finally, because two-tone watches use less precious metal than full-gold or full-platinum watches, they do indeed provide some much-appreciated value at the till.
What follows are a smattering of different two-tone watches in an array of price points. As usual, if there’s one in particular that you’re looking for but don’t see here, feel free to reach out to us — we’d be happy to try and track it down for you!
TAG Heuer Professional 2000 Chronograph ($2,300)
TAG Heuer Professional 2000 Chronograph - IN THE SHOP
There’s no mistaking the era in which this TAG Heuer Professional 2000 Chronograph was made — the ‘rider tabs’ on the bezel and the ‘fluted’ pushers and crown positively scream of the 1990s. Plenty of tritium lume, a Lemania Calibre 283 automatic movement, and a cool, two-tone bracelet complete the picture of a watch that delivers oodles of value.
Omega Constellation ($2,950)
Omega Constellation - IN THE SHOP
With its integrated bracelet and chronometer-certified movement, this beautiful Constellation exists on the fringes of ‘luxury sports watch’ territory. Measuring 35.mm wide, it features a silver opaline dial, a ‘Roman’ numeral bezel, and a two-tone bracelet with gold link ‘bars.’ Dating to the 1990s, its svelte proportions work well on a variety of wrists.
Tudor Black Bay S&G ($3,400)
Tudor Black Bay S&G - IN THE SHOP
If you’re looking for a hard-wearing tool watch with a touch of ‘80s flair, you can stop your search right here: The Tudor Black Bay S&G combines a 41mm stainless steel case with gold touches on the crown, bezel, and dial for a look that remains down-to-Earth and fairly conservative. Paired to a black textile strap, it’s as subtle as two-tone comes!
Bulova ‘Royal Oak’ ($3,900)
Bulova 'Royal Oak' - IN THE SHOP
It looks like a Royal Oak, it wears like a Royal Oak, it quacks like a Royal Oak…but it’s not quite a Royal Oak. This tribute piece is actually made by Bulova, and features all the design cues that one associates with the original luxury sports watch: an integrated bracelet, a ‘tapisserie’-style dial, an octagonal bezel secured by eight screws, and an automatic movement.
Cartier Santos Galbée ($4,300)
Carier Santos Galbée - IN THE SHOP
The original pilot’s watch, the Santos remains an important fixture of Cartier’s catalog over a century since its debut. This attractive Galbée, with its 30mm two-tone case and matching bracelet, features a grey dial with a blue minute track, blue ‘Arabic’ numerals, and a matching blued steel ‘sword’ handset. Sized well for both men and women, there’s no denying its beauty.
Universal Genève Compax ($4,300)
Universal Genève Compax - IN THE SHOP
The last of the classic Universal Genève models, this ‘90s-era Compax offers a triple-register chronograph display, hand-wound Lemania movement, and 36mm ‘twisted-lug’ case in the style of older watches from the 1940s through the 1970s. With its gold bezel, pushers, indices, and hands, it offers a playful twist on a classic formula from the mid-20th century.
Bulgari Tubogas Cuff ($6,500)
Bulgari Tubogas Cuff - IN THE SHOP
Bulgari’s ‘Tubogas’ cuff, with its intertwined stips of different metals, has become an icon of both the jewelry and watchmaking worlds. While not a Serpenti, this watch features the beloved Tubogas design in lovely two-tone and pairs it with a quartz-powered watch head with a mother-of-pearl dial bearing diamond indices.
Glycine 'Jump Hour' 18k Two-Tone ($7,800)
Glycine 'Jump Hour' 18k Two-Tone - IN THE SHOP
Now here’s something you don’t see everyday — a jump hour watch in a two-tone, white-and-yellow gold case paired to a Bonklip bracelet produced by none other than Gay Frères! Made by Gallet, this special piece dates to the 1930s and boasts one of the more interesting uses of two-tone styling that we’ve ever seen.
Vacheron Constantin Ladies 222 Two-Tone ($11,200)
Vacheron Constantin Ladies 222 Two-Tone - IN THE SHOP
While AP has the Royal Oak and Patek has the Nautilus, Vacheron — the third part of the horological ‘Holy Trinity’ — has the 222. This dainty 24mm version, dating to the 1980s, is a ladies’ model in two-tone steel and yellow gold that maintains the 222’s unique design language in miniature. (Its bracelet looks particularly fetching in two-tone!)
Audemars Piguet Two-Tone Dress Watch ($12,600)
Aidemars Piguet Two-Tone Dress Watches - IN THE SHOP
While this ultra-thin, automatic Audemars Piguet with an automatic movement might not be a Royal Oak, it certainly has much in common with its famous cousin. On the other hand, this is a much dressier piece, measuring 33m wide and mixing white and yellow gold to excellent effect. Elegant and svelte, it would elevate a formal or semi-formal look to new heights.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ($14,250)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak - IN THE SHOP
This smaller, two-tone Royal Oak measuring 35mm mixes steel, gold, and a fetching grey micro-tapisserie dial in a distinctly winning formula. A Reference 4100SA from the 1980s, it features the signature Royal Oak integrated bracelet with a hidden, signed double fold-over deployant clasp, plus an automatic movement from AP.
Omega Speedmaster Professional Two-Tone ($14,950)
Omega Speedmaster Professional Two-Tone - IN THE SHOP
What could be cooler than a two-tone Speedmaster?! Dating to the 1980s, this Reference 145.0022 boasts a steel-and-gold multi-link bracelet, a gold bezel, and a cool champagne dial with contrasting silver subdials. Powered by the hand-wound Omega Calibre 861 movement, it’s still a Moonwatch — but with a bit of welcome ‘80s panache.
