There is something about precious metals that speaks to me. Of course, the world of precious metals is much wider than watches, and wearing objects in these materials is something many of us have in common. I have the unhappy condition of not being able to wear reactive metals so my go-to has always been gold...which was my gateway to appreciating the virtues of platinum.
You have most likely encountered platinum in the form of rings, and perhaps more than a few of you have platinum wedding bands. If you made this particular decision and you likely did it over white gold then you have probably found all sorts of reasons to love platinum. Indeed, you may not even need reasons.
Sometimes the facts alone will not do, and a discussion of precious metals in watchmaking is also one of those times. The reason is simple enough, yet I will begin counterintuitively. Consider for the moment something we all know that some watches in steel are valued as highly as, or even higher than models in gold. I trust I need not point out the specific examples as every year since 2016 has seen these examples trotted out far too often. One consequence of this has been the reinforced perception that steel is a precious metal, or as good as one anyway. On that note, Joshua Munchow's Here's Why article for QP early last year on this subject inspired this riposte of sorts, but I digress.
GOING FOR GOLD
Looking only to gold then, one fact says it all. The retail price of any given model in gold does not have much of a relationship with material costs. There are many examples to get into but one can simply count on the value of gold being just 20% of the price, and that is if we are being so generous as to count 18k gold as 24k gold, and if we use the cost price of the watch, not the recommended retail price. Apply this line of reasoning and you will find yourself in trouble.
Bu hikaye MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia dergisinin November 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia dergisinin November 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Forged in Steel
Franck Muller celebrates Sincere Fine Watches’ 7Oth anniversary with avery special Vanguard.
Made For Modern Life
The Volvo EX30 is the much-needed vehicle for a joyful and fuss-free ride.
Eastern Charm
With a blazing display of KARLS Group's culinary bravura, the Upper House KL gives classic Asian flavours a modern twist.
When Worlds Collide
Where revered tradition meets unceasing imagination, Hennessy has teamed up with French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel for its latest collaboration.
Business Means Business: Cathay Pacific
With the return of flights, and the additional of new ones, there is little reason to doubt that doing a stopover in Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific to any destination in the world from ASEAN is the best decision one might make in their lifetime. Plus, its concrete Business and Premium Economy Class offerings, and world-renowned lounges in HKIA make travelling on the Hong Kong-based airline an experience via a stopover, rather than a chore.
Malaysia's New Zenith
Celebrating the first Malaysian Zenith boutique in The Exchange TRX.
Two-Timing
Cartier's timekeeping greats for 2024 range from the classic to the experimental.
Racing Through Time
Celebrating Rolex’s timeless relationship with motor racing.
A Man And His Watch
Men's Folio Malaysia speaks to watch collectors about the first watch that drew them into the hobby.
A Cartoon's Charm
Cartoon watches might seem childish but there are reasons to feel otherwise, especially if the nostalgia transports one back to childhood days.
