Key takeaways
- A rose gold watch has a warm, pinkish gold colour that sits between yellow gold and silver.
- Rose gold works with navy, grey, white, burgundy, brown and green.
- It is easy to mix with silver or yellow gold jewellery when you keep one metal in charge.
- Our picks: Atlas, Voyager, Falcon, Aurèlios and Prince Oak for men, Thea for women.
A rose gold watch is a warm alternative to classic silver or yellow gold. It looks softer than yellow gold, warmer than steel and works with more outfits than most people expect. Here is what rose gold is, how to wear it and which rose gold watches to choose.
In this guide
What is a rose gold watch?
Rose gold is a gold colour with a warm, pink tint. On a watch, it usually refers to the colour of the case and sometimes the bracelet, hands or indexes. Rose gold watches can be made from solid gold, but most everyday watches use a rose gold tone on a steel case.
At DIFFRNT, our rose gold watches have a stainless steel case in a rose gold tone. That gives you the warm look of rose gold at an accessible price, on a case made for everyday wear.
Rose gold vs yellow gold vs silver
| Colour | Look | Works best with |
|---|---|---|
| Rose gold | Warm, soft, slightly vintage | Navy, grey, white, burgundy, brown, green |
| Yellow gold | Bold, classic, eye-catching | Black, navy, cream, camel |
| Silver | Cool, clean, understated | Almost everything, especially black, grey and blue |
Still choosing between metals? Read Silver or gold watch: which should you choose? and Two-tone watches.
Rose gold watches for men
On a men's watch, rose gold looks best with a dark dial or a leather strap, which keeps the look grounded and easy to wear.
The dress-casual pick: Atlas ($79.99)
A 40 mm stainless steel case in a rose gold tone, only 10 mm thin. Choose Rose Gold Obsidian for a black dial, or Rose Gold Ice, Emerald or Ocean for something lighter.
The slim one: Voyager ($79.99)
A 39 mm rose gold case, 10 mm thin. Available in Rose Gold Obsidian, Ocean, Emerald and Brown.
The sporty one: Falcon ($89.99)
A sporty 40 mm watch in Rose Gold Ocean or Rose Gold Obsidian. Also look at the Corsair ($79.99) in Rose Gold/Blue or Rose Gold/Red.
The cushion case: Aurèlios ($79.99)
A 40 mm cushion-shaped case with a detailed dial, in Rose Gold Ice, Rose Gold Iron or Rose Gold Root Beer. More shapes in Square watches.
The automatic: Prince Oak ($149.99)
An automatic skeleton watch with an NH35 movement on view, available in Rose Obsidian and Rose Ice on a silicone strap.
Rose gold watches for women
The Thea ($79.99) in Rose Gold Ice is our petite rose gold pick: a 27 mm case on a 14 mm bracelet, small enough for a slim wrist. Prefer a bigger look? The 39 mm Voyager and the 40 mm Atlas also suit a medium wrist. See Best watches for small wrists (women) for more petite styles.
Rose gold picks
How to wear a rose gold watch
- Pick warm or muted colours. Navy, grey, white, burgundy, olive and brown all work well with rose gold.
- Match your leather. A brown belt or brown shoes pair naturally with a rose gold watch on a brown strap.
- Mixing metals is fine. Rose gold can be worn with silver or yellow gold jewellery. Keep one metal as the main colour and use the others as small accents.
- Dark dial for every day, light dial for dressing up. An Obsidian dial keeps rose gold understated; an Ice dial makes it brighter.
More outfit tips in How to match your watch to your outfit.
Rose gold watches at a glance
| Watch | Case | Rose gold versions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thea | 27 mm | Rose Gold Ice | $79.99 |
| Voyager | 39 mm | Obsidian, Ocean, Emerald, Brown | $79.99 |
| Atlas | 40 mm | Ice, Obsidian, Emerald, Ocean | $79.99 |
| Aurèlios | 40 mm | Ice, Iron, Root Beer | $79.99 |
| Falcon | 40 mm | Ocean, Obsidian | $89.99 |
| Prince Oak | Automatic | Rose Obsidian, Rose Ice | $149.99 |
How to care for a rose gold watch
Wipe your watch with a soft, dry cloth after wearing it to remove sweat and fingerprints. Avoid perfume, lotion and harsh cleaning products on the case, and store it in a box or watch roll so it does not get scratched by other jewellery. Our rose gold watches are rated 3 ATM (the Prince Oak 3 bar): fine for splashes and washing your hands, not for swimming or showering. See How to clean a stainless steel watch and How to store watches.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rose gold watch for men or women?
Both. Rose gold is a colour, not a gender. It works on a 40 mm men's watch with a dark dial as well as on a petite women's watch like the 27 mm Thea.
Are DIFFRNT rose gold watches made of solid gold?
No. Our rose gold watches have a stainless steel case in a rose gold tone.
What colours go with a rose gold watch?
Navy, grey, white, burgundy, olive and brown all pair well. Brown leather is an easy match.
Can you wear rose gold with silver jewellery?
Yes. Keep one metal as the main colour and use the other as an accent, and the look stays intentional.
Is a rose gold watch a good gift?
Yes. It is a little more unexpected than silver or yellow gold. See our Christmas gift guide for more ideas.
