Steel and gold on the same bracelet – the look once tied to 80s power dressing has quietly returned to everyday wrists. Two-tone watches bridge office and weekend, bring warmth to steel, and slip under a cuff without shouting. That is the appeal drawing shoppers who want one watch that plays with jewelery and sneakers alike.
The backdrop matters. Swiss watch exports hit a record 26.7 billion Swiss francs in 2023, up 7.6 percent year on year, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH in January 2024. In that momentum, brands with broad steel and gold lineups set the pace – Morgan Stanley and LuxeConsult estimated Rolex at above 30 percent market share in 2023, in a report published March 2024. Access has widened too : Boston Consulting Group sized the pre-owned watch market at 22 to 24 billion dollars in 2022, with 8 to 10 percent annual growth expected through 2026, published May 2023.
Two-tone watches trend 2025 : why the mix works
The formula blends contrast and practicality. Yellow or rose gold gives warmth and depth, while steel keeps weight and price in check. The result reads luxurious yet wearable, a mix that adapts to denim, a navy suit, or a summer polo without switching watches.
There is also a size and style shift. Brands now pair two-tone cases with slimmer bracelets and balanced dials, which softens the 80s vibe and suits more wrists. That solves a common problem voiced by new buyers – wanting a touch of gold without going full precious metal.
Retail counters confirm the swing to versatility. Sales staff routinely point shoppers from all-steel to mixed-metal when a ring or bracelet in yellow tone enters the conversation. The watch then ties an outfit together rather than fighting it.
Bicolor icons : Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Tudor
Rolex sets the reference with its steel and gold “Rolesor” line. A two-tone Datejust 36 typically retails in the low to mid teens in US dollars depending on dial and bracelet, while the Submariner Date in steel and yellow gold sits in the mid teens. The mix delivers classic proportions with everyday toughness.
Omega leans into sport elegance. Seamaster Diver 300M and Aqua Terra references in steel and Sedna gold often land in the low to mid teens, pairing ceramic bezels and co-axial movements with polished gold center links that feel modern rather than flash.
Cartier’s Santos in steel and yellow gold stays a design piece first. Medium and large two-tone versions usually price around the low five figures, with quick-release bracelets and add-on leather straps giving two looks from one purchase.
Tudor offers a friendlier entry with Black Bay S and Black Bay 36/39/41 in steel and gold accents. Depending on the exact model and bracelet, pricing often ranges from the mid four figures to around six thousand dollars – robust specs, COSC movements, and a warm bezel or crown that changes the mood fast.
How to wear a bicolor watch : simple rules that look good
Getting dressed around mixed metal is easier when one chooses harmony over matchy-matchy. Let the watch be the bridge between accessories and fabrics rather than the star.
Here is a quick checklist that keeps the look effortless :
- Pick the gold tone that suits your skin – yellow for extra warmth, rose for a softer glow.
- Keep other metals nearby but not identical : a thin yellow ring or a subtle chain is enough.
- Mind textures. Brushed center links feel calmer with casual wear, high polish reads dressy.
- Case size matters. If in doubt, try one size down in two-tone – the gold visually enlarges it.
- Swap straps. A brown leather or rubber strap on a two-tone head instantly changes the vibe.
A concrete scenario helps. Picture a navy blazer, white tee, clean sneakers, and a two-tone Datejust on Jubilee – the gold flashes at the wrist, then disappears into the sleeve. Same watch, brown leather strap, and it slides into dinner without effort.
Money and maintenance : prices, resale and timing
Price spans are wide, which is part of the trend’s pull. Tissot PRX two-tone references often land in the mid hundreds of dollars, Seiko has steel and gold accents in accessible ranges, while Rolex, Omega, and Cartier climb into the five figures. That ladder lets buyers test the look before committing bigger.
Resale dynamics have support from the broader secondary market. Boston Consulting Group’s 2023 analysis placed the global pre-owned watch market at 22 to 24 billion dollars in 2022 with an 8 to 10 percent annual growth outlook through 2026, and McKinsey projected in 2021 that pre-owned could reach 29 to 32 billion dollars by 2025. Two-tone models benefit when all-steel is scarce at retail – value often tracks brand plus condition rather than pure metal content.
Care is straightforward. Gold center links will show marks sooner than steel, so many buyers favor brushed finishes for daily wear. Authorized service keeps gaskets fresh and bracelets tight, and polishing stays light to preserve edges. The practical takeaway is simple : try the watch in daylight, check how the dial hue plays with your rings, and compare one steel and one two-tone side by side. Yes, the 80s called – and sent a keeper.