Platinum vs. White gold vs. steel

[stockjock1975]

This may seem like an obvious and simple question (and maybe it is), but I wanted to know if I am missing anything. Cost differences ignored, is platinum always the preferred choice? All else being equal, I would think a platinum cased watch would be everyones first pick. I'm curious to know if anyone here would not agree with that statement.....and why.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[dysondiver]

oh here we go ,,, do a quick search , this is a never ending topic ,,, me , id be glad to own any of them with a pp on the clasp.

[JorgeCCW]

To me is just personal preference, I love RG over any metal.
I had a 5960P before, and as a metal has it's advantages. But for me in watches looks kill properties any day of the week.
So buy what you like and you will be happy and let world argue about it's qualities/properties.

Regards

[HL65]

Personally it comes down to specific references and I prefer some in platinum, some in gold and some in SS. I think having a variety in a collection is optimal for me but taste is subjective and some only like platinum, only gold and only SS.

[Hamish]

Platinum for me!

[myopiccoog]

I am with Ken!

Originally Posted by HL65

Personally it comes down to specific references and I prefer some in platinum, some in gold and some in SS. I think having a variety in a collection is optimal for me but taste is subjective and some only like platinum, only gold and only SS.

[drhr]

Depends. Platinum is heavier than the other 2 metals and can cause a top heavy feel to some watches (not all). I've sold off a few platinum pieces because of that quirk . . .

[soundserious]

Which wears better over time? Platinum or gold?

[el1125]

Originally Posted by HL65

Personally it comes down to specific references and I prefer some in platinum, some in gold and some in SS. I think having a variety in a collection is optimal for me but taste is subjective and some only like platinum, only gold and only SS.

Agree with you and I collect all. But for me, Platinum is my favorite.

[jon_jon]

Amongst Patek watches, titanium is the rarest and are only made for special clients and charity auctions. With that said, most Patek SS watches have been sports watches, namely the Nautilus and the Aquanaut. However when you see a SS Patek dress watch, it is usually a special piece, often a limited edition watch. The 5960/1A may be an exception and we shall see how many Patek will produce.

I would say a Patek SS dress watch is definitely up there along with the Patek platinum watch for their exclusivity. For me, if I saw a Patek titanium watch, it would be my first choice, then a SS dress watch, then a platinum dress watch. However for a sports watch like the Nautilus, between a 5711P and a 5711A, of course the P wins out by a huge margin.

[benlee]

Platinum is the most valuable of precious metals so it is perceived as the premium choice. Appearance wise, Platinum resembles Stainless Steel for me except when under certain lighting, esp fluorescent lighting that really brings out the pureness and brightness in Platinum.

Patek implementation of white gold is truly beautiful. I always love the yellowish/grey hues that comes out in White Gold especially under certain lighting. Patek SS is a versatile and relatively affordable choice. The way PP finish steel is excellent, very alluring visually. Most of the time, all three metals are not obvious to the casual observer unless compare closely side by side or feel the weight difference.

In the end, it's down to personal preference. A lot of people like the understated looks of platinum and white gold which doesn't call into attention the way RG or YG does.

[JorgeCCW]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Which wears better over time? Platinum or gold?

The difference is marginal. Precious metals are by definition rare or scarce. That's why we like them, because they are more exclusive. Platinum has a higher premium but still hasn't catch up with society. Gold yellow or Rose has an allure that Platinum hasn't reach (doesn't have the same perception). But it's the perfect metal for the one that likes wear a precious metal and not being noticed, in other words less flashy.
So to each it's own, each metal has it's place.




Sent from the 3 Watches Philosophy Company headquarters

[QueueCumber]

It's nice to have a mix of metals in the collection...

[kilyung]

There is one characteristic that does dictate that steel>WG>platinum. The density of the metal has a direct bearing on its ability to resonate. Thus the BEST material for a Minute Repeater is steel, then WG, and finally platinum. However because of the desirability/cost of this complication it is more often found in platinum and gold and very rarely in steel.

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by kilyung

There is one characteristic that does dictate that steel>WG>platinum. The density of the metal has a direct bearing on its ability to resonate. Thus the BEST material for a Minute Repeater is steel, then WG, and finally platinum. However because of the desirability/cost of this complication it is more often found in platinum and gold and very rarely in steel.

This is true. I heard the gong sounds from a FP Journe SS MR and it had a clearer sound compared to a Patek 5078P MR which I listened to a couple of hours later.

[locutus49]

Of course if you can afford a Patek minute repeater you probably won't care what the metal is - I wouldn't.

Check wiki for platinum. As an alloy, there is far more platinum in the alloy (95%) than gold (75%). And all of the mined platinum in the world would fit into a standard sized living room, that is how rare it is.

Originally Posted by kilyung

There is one characteristic that does dictate that steel>WG>platinum. The density of the metal has a direct bearing on its ability to resonate. Thus the BEST material for a Minute Repeater is steel, then WG, and finally platinum. However because of the desirability/cost of this complication it is more often found in platinum and gold and very rarely in steel.

[davemc9]

Personally I like platinum. But for repeaters the white gold produces the brightest notes.

[soundserious]

Is gold or platinum better when it comes to durability?

[Touring]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Is gold or platinum better when it comes to durability?

Platinum.

[iazrollie]

I read PP's dealer-only newsletter. They are instructing the ADs to pitch the 5960a as an exclusive piece because it is a SS (and not a nautilus or aqua). They also pitch the 5950a as a "must" in any collector's collection because it's SS and "rare".

[Kittayos]

Not sure whether 5950 is "a must" given a 400k price tag.

[RolexJNJ]

I don't always wear Patek, but when I do, I prefer Platinum!

[BluesGal1]

I agree with Jorge. But will add - The gold Rolex President shimmers every time you move your wrist when the sun is out or you're under lights (especially the bezel). It's quite beautiful and distracting! The Platinum Rolex is 'quieter'. I love them both, though if I had to keep only one, it would be the Platinum for sure.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

I don't always wear Patek, but when I do, I prefer Platinum!

Lol! Nice PP!

[el1125]

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

I don't always wear Patek, but when I do, I prefer Platinum!

Lol

[dysondiver]

last time this ran , i thin tom posted a side by side picture , and it was a fine example of the subtle shade difference ,,, probably the best picture for the difference ive seen , boy it made the platinum look great.

[venom43]

I'll add...patek platinum pieces have a little diamond to tell the difference.

[Fiery]

As others also stated, it heavily depends on the actual watch family/model. With the Nautilus and Aquanaut line, platinum is the most desirable since it's the rarest. While with the dress Patek models, steel is the rarest so it's the most desirable.

To me personally, it's all a matter of which model is in question. For example, the 5146P has a cleaner dial than the gold 5146 models, so I'd pick the 5146P for the dial alone. While with the 5711P being so similar to the steel 5711, I wouldn't bother trying to source a 5711P, especially at those outrageous prices.

[autohorology]

Totally depends on what you want to accomplish. I know you guys who won't buy platinum because it doesn't stand out, same as white gold. Platinum is for the guy that knows what it is but doesn't care if others know what it is.