The 10 Most Striking Gold-And-Black Watches

The Lotus 97T is an icon of Formula 1. This was the car that yielded Ayrton Senna’s debut F1 victory at a wet Estoril circuit in 1985. This iconic challenger of John Player Special Team Lotus isn’t only memorable owing to the former fact. It was one in the rare breed of race cars that were dressed in a very special livery of black-and-gold, and for me personally, it’ll be the greatest product of the said aesthetic.

But this combination of contrasting hues isn’t restricted to motor racing as its right amount of eye-catching appeal is actually very powerful. In simple words: it’s luxury.

As connoisseurs of watches, we love to factor in a multitude of attributes when deciding our next purchase. Chronometry, proportion, complication, sometimes culture, and in the recent decade - color, are very defining of a watch’s appeal. In favor of the latter, dial color has been the recent most influential trend in watches.

So, as purveyors of the finer things in life, let’s tip our hats to appreciate the late great Ayrton and delight fellow watch lovers with a delectable selection of watches dressed in the power combo of a gold case with a black dial.

IWC Schaffhausen
Ingenieur Automatic 40 Ref. IW328702

IWC’s Ingenieur line has done what a great watch does, and that’s it has grown beautifully. The modern collection launched in 2023 and it has stayed strong ever since. Its 18kt 5N gold reference IW328702 with a black dial debuted at last year’s Watches and Wonders. The watch retains the signature case design of its steel counterparts and introduces a transparent sapphire caseback. The gold case gets a decorative contrast with satin-finished and polished surfaces while offering 100m water resistance. Its black dial features a textured “grid” pattern for added depth and visual interest.

In terms of mechanics, the automatic caliber 32111 offers a hefty 120-hour or 5-day power reserve while driving its time and date displays. It also gets central hacking seconds for precise time-setting. This full-gold execution of the Ingenieur priced at ₹63,65,000 makes me wish I were a scientist.

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds Ref. JLQ713257J

The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds with a pink gold case and black sunray-brushed dial is a very traditional Reverso in every regard. It’s very traditionally proportioned as well with a thickness of just 7.56mm. The Reverso is the popular patient zero to a very distinct watchmaking aesthetic and one of the most recognizable timepieces on the planet. While originally born out of necessity in 1931 and cemented as an iconic design, the Reverso is a must-have of highest grade in every collection.

Its pink gold case and black dial Ref. JLQ713257J takes the lead role in the collection’s colored dial orchestra and becomes the reference of a serious charm. Powered by the trustworthy manual-wound caliber 822, the watch is a no-nonsense execution with real articulable heritage making it impossible to find fault with. It’s yours for ₹27,20,000.

Breguet
Classique 5177 Ref. 5177BR/2N/9V602

This is a long-running classic from Breguet. This execution of the Classique 5177 gets a black “grand feu” enamel dial born out of a laborious process involving repetitive firing in a kiln for about 20 times at 800 degrees. This exercise yields a glossy black and vitreous surface that beautifully complements the 18K rose gold of the case. There’s significant classicism in proportions as well given to its 38mm across 8.8mm dimensions.

The rose gold case with the contrast of a black enamel dial reflects the purity of indications and the watch retains the hallmark elements of the Classique collection: coin-edge fluted case band, transparent caseback, styled lugs, and Breguet hands with characteristic open tips. This horological parallel of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 could be had for ₹29,87,000.

Girard-Perregaux
Laureato 42mm Ref. 81010-52-3118-1CM

Originally launched in 2022, the pink gold Laureato 42mm with the black onyx dial is an upscale iteration of the collection that gets the model’s signature juxtaposing shapes inspired by its 1970s forefather. This gold case-black dial aesthetic version remains aesthetically singular in what has now evolved into a fully-fledged Laureato collection. For the watch, the alternating of polished and satinated finishes on its 18k rose gold case is replicated on its integrated bracelet as well.

Here, the black onyx dial works as a perfect supplement for the gold case. It takes a total of 15 steps performed on bare material to get the final result on the dial. Inside beats the in-house, self-winding GP01800 movement with a stop-seconds or hacking function. This marriage of deep black onyx and pink gold accents delivering a becoming contrast retails for ₹66,70,000.

H. Moser & Cie.
Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Vantablack Ref. 1200-0412

When it comes to black dials, this H. Moser & Cie. gets the darker-than-dark and blacker-than-black one of the lot. The Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Vantablack in 5N red gold case is paired with a dial coated in Vantablack. As we’ve already praised the beauty of black and gold, here the combination is rendered even more dramatic with the Vantablack and 5N red gold. Creating a sensation of visual nothingness and void, the hyper-black coating of Vantablack absorbs 99.965% of light, creating a perceived absence of matter.

For the timepiece, the 18k 5N red gold case delivers a much welcome warm contrast to the dial. The watch is powered by the HMC 200 caliber with a 72-hour power reserve and double Straumann hairspring that combats gravity effects thus improving accuracy. This watch coated in the blackest man-made material in existence costs approx. ₹31,90,000.

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300M Ref. 210.62.42.20.01.003

Omega’s Seamaster Professional Diver 300M is legendary with legitimate prowess. It remains one of modern watchmaking’s most favorite products and the brand’s bedrock dive watch. The featured 42mm model is crafted in Omega’s proprietary 18K Moonshine Gold. This high-end model retains the polished black ceramic dial featuring laser-engraved waves, a style that remains a strong pillar of the collection.

This model combines luxury with legitimate diving credentials defined by its Helium Escape Valve at 10 o’clock and a solid 300m water-resistance. Presented on a black rubber strap, the watch is driven by the Master Chronometer Caliber 8801 with a co-axial escapement. This very utilitarian entrée in the article’s list of very particular aesthetics retails for ₹36,17,500.

A. Lange & Söhne
Saxonia Thin in 750 Honeygold Ref. 211.052

The wafer-thin slenderness of the Saxonia Thin comes without any compromise. Usually, in pursuit of slenderness, there’s a level loss of horological content. But not with the Saxonia Thin in honey-gold that pairs A. Lange & Söhne's proprietary gold alloy with a black onyx dial. Introduced as a limited edition, the watch measures a decent 40mm in diameter but gives up extensively in the vertical dimension standing just 6.2mm tall.

Despite a near-nothing vertical proportion, its caliber L093.1 still boasts a remarkable 72-hour power reserve and retains the manufacturer’s signature haute horlogerie decorative highlights. With very few excellent black dial, gold cased dress watches on the market, the Saxonia Thin offers what’s essentially the ultimate combination in a vintage watch at approx. ₹50,00,000.

Tutima Glashütte
Patria Small Second Ref. 6600-04

For a brand with an inherently “instrumental” heritage, the Patria collection is a very handsome aside. The Tutima Glashütte Patria Small Second delivers a very elegant design and a beautiful manufacture caliber attaining true “German School of Watchmaking” credentials. The Ref. 6600-04 is of particular interest with its 18-karat rose gold paired with a dark grey dial. While it’s not in absolute chromatic consistency with the theme in discussion, it’s only so slightly off-hue and in truth too beautiful to avoid in today’s topic.

The Patria Small Second despite being very dressy is ideal for everyday wear with its manual winding caliber 617 good enough for an autonomy of 65 hours. It’s very well decorated in the traditional Glashütte way and is displayed via a sapphire crystal on the watch’s 43mm case. It’s available at approx. ₹20,52,000.

Rolex
Perpetual 1908 Ref. 52508

Elegant and exceptional, Rolex’s true dress watch, the Perpetual 1908 is in strict aesthetic and conceptual contrast to the brand’s heritage. The pure classicism of the watch is very distinct from its catalog siblings but in every good way. In its 18ct yellow gold construction with an intense black dial, the watch remains one of the cleanest creations of the combination.

When dressed with Rolex’s seven link “Settimo” bracelet, the stakes turn even higher and the product attains a real royal appeal. Despite its purist classicism, the watch gets every feature of durability you can expect from a Rolex. In this all-gold execution with a black dial, it’s up for grabs at ₹39,87,000.

Vacheron Constantin
Fiftysix Self-winding Ref. 4600E/000R-H101

The retro-contemporary styling of Vacheron Constantin’s Fiftysix line-up makes it an all-rounder collection with both dressy and sporty attributes. With styling vaguely inspired by the 1956 Vacheron Constantin reference 6073, the modern collection is resolutely cosmopolitan and expresses a bold outlook especially via the contrast between the black dial and the 18K 5N pink gold case on the Ref. 4600E/000R-H101.

The Fiftysix Self-winding is driven by the brand’s automatic caliber 1326, visible via a display case back. While undeniably haute horlogerie, the watch is an entry point into Vacheron Constantin and the pink gold-black dial reference retails for approx. ₹28,87,600.