Two of the biggest trends in watches are coming together on some seriously tasty watches we reckon Australians will love in particular.
2023 is proving to be a properly exciting year for watches. In between the rise of integrated bracelets, the move back towards smaller case sizes and brands getting more experimental with case materials and colours, the watch industry seems to be moving in a rather creative, vibrant direction.
Speaking of vibrant, one trend we’ve also noticed is that watch brands are releasing a lot of gold watches with green dials. It’s the perfect colour combination for a high-end watch, too.
Of course, green and gold are also Australia’s national colours, especially when it comes to international sports. Although it was only in 1984 that green and gold were officially declared Australia’s national sports colours, Australian sports teams have been using the colours since before Federation: the first Australian cricket team to tour England wore green and gold in 1899.
Evoking the colours of our national emblem, the golden wattle, green and gold is a quintessentially Aussie colour combo (although we’re sure the Brazilians would tend to disagree…)
Green and gold are also both colours deeply associated with luxury. Gold is self-explanatory, both as a hue and as a material, but green is also a luxurious shade. Green is famously Rolex’s signature colour, for example, and the brand typically reserves the hue for commemorative models’ dials.
In any case, gold watches with green dials are especially handsome – and there seems to be more and more of them being released in 2023. We’ve rounded up a few of the best green and gold watches for those with a patriotic bent (or who just recognise a good thing when they see it) who are looking for their next watch.
In this best green and gold watches article…
Bell & Ross BR 05 Green Gold
First up, we have the Bell & Ross BR 05 Green Gold, which was unveiled at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2023. There’s just something kind of fun about a gold Bell & Ross: the brand has such a minimalist aesthetic and is so focused on tool watches that seeing a big lump of gold from them is something special.
Not all green dials are made equal and B&R’s is fair dinkum: a dark, lustrous green achieved by multiple layers of varnish and a pronounced sunray effect that goes from bottle green to almost a light gold depending on how it catches the light.
This watch ticks another box when it comes to watch trends, too: it comes on an integrated bracelet. However, we like it on this green-coloured alligator leather strap, for some extra green goodness. Snappy.
Retail Price: AU$34,100
OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Moonshine Gold
This rendition of the famous OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch is an absolute killer. It’s crafted from OMEGA’s proprietary Moonshine Gold: an 18ct yellow gold alloy that has a distinctively paler hue than traditional 18ct yellow gold, and is much more resistant to the fading of colour and lustre over time.
Combine that lovely gold with that green PVD dial and bezel, and you’ve got a truly luxurious combination on your hands. The green is quite dark; almost black – which makes it quite a versatile watch. You know, as versatile as a f***-off expensive gold watch can be, that is.
Retail Price: AU$62,175
IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Boutique Exclusive
IWC Schaffhausen has long been flying the flag for green dials and now they’ve combined their love of green with a bit of gold on this latest rendition of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, a boutique and online exclusive.
Using such a luxurious material on such a utilitarian watch is deliciously discordant – as is mounting it on a rubber strap. If you’re not a fan of the rubber, IWC’s EasX-CHANGE system makes it easy to slap on a more classic leather number.
If you’d rather a bit more green and less gold, you might find the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland” – which is completely green – more to your taste. But there’s nothing like that green and gold combo…
Retail Price: AU$33,400
Rado Captain Cook Gold
Green and gold watches have an irresistible retro-cool vibe, and nothing’s more retro-cool than the Rado Captain Cook. It’s a match made in heaven. The Captain Cook has previously been available in two-tone steel and gold but never in full gold – which is why this new limited edition is so exciting.
Featuring a lovely lacquered green-to-black gradient dial, this CC actually has a stainless steel case and a yellow gold PVD coating. It’s real gold, just not solid gold – which isn’t a bad thing, as it makes the watch tougher, lighter and more affordable.
Retail Price: AU$3,950
Rolex Day-Date 36 Aventurine Dial
Finally, we’ve got one of Rolex’s luxurious new precious gemstone dial Day-Dates that, like the Bell & Ross above, was also released at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2023 and is also made from rose gold.
Unlike the other watches on this list, this watch’s dial is actually made from green aventurine: a rare green quartz crystal with a shimmering quality known as aventurescence. It’s really striking. Diamond-studded Roman numerals add to its iridescent flair.
Retail Price: AU$48,045
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