Not everything that aspires to be “the best of both worlds” ends up that way. From stretchy dress pants to hot dog stuffed-crust pizza, history is littered with tragically misguided attempts to combine disparate things. Fortunately, for anyone in search of a timepiece that combines the sportiness of steel with the sophistication of gold, the two-tone watch is that rare example of a best-of-both-worlds scenario that truly works.

Pioneered by brands like Rolex, Omega, and Longines in the mid-20th century, two-tone watches have waxed and waned in popularity over the decades. These days, however, thanks to a resurgence of interest in vintage style from their heyday in the ’80s and ’90s, there’s no shortage of handsome specimens to choose from. Here are some of the best.

Men's watch by OMEGA. Photo retrieved from SHARP November 2025.

SHIRT BY FENDI. OMEGA DE VILLE PRESTIGE ($15,300).
Men's watches by Longines, Cartier, Tudor, and BVLGARI. Photo retrieved from SHARP November 2025.

LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME 1925, ($5,700). CARTIER SANTOS, ($14,000). TUDOR BLACK BAY GMT S&G, ($8,470). BVLGARI OCTO ROMA, ($13,100).
Men's watch by Rolex. Photo retrieved from SHARP November 2025.

SWEATER AND PANTS BY COS. SHOES BY HERMÉS. SOCKS, STYLIST’S OWN. ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA, ($47,300).
Men's watches by Alpina, Chopard, Bulova, and Breitling. Photo retrieved from SHARP November 2025.

ALPINA ALPINER EXTREME QUARTZ, ($2,295). CHOPARD MILLE MIGLIA CLASSIC CHRONOGRAPH, $15,900. BULOVA SUPER SEVILLE, ($1,095). BREITLING SUPEROCEAN HERITAGE B31 AUTOMATIC 44, ($9,900)

Men’s Watches: Why Choose Between Steel & Gold When You Can Have Both?

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SHIRT BY FENDI. OMEGA DE VILLE PRESTIGE ($15,300).

Men’s Watches: Why Choose Between Steel & Gold When You Can Have Both?

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LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME 1925, ($5,700). CARTIER SANTOS, ($14,000). TUDOR BLACK BAY GMT S&G, ($8,470). BVLGARI OCTO ROMA, ($13,100).

Men’s Watches: Why Choose Between Steel & Gold When You Can Have Both?

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SWEATER AND PANTS BY COS. SHOES BY HERMÉS. SOCKS, STYLIST’S OWN. ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA, ($47,300).

Men’s Watches: Why Choose Between Steel & Gold When You Can Have Both?

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ALPINA ALPINER EXTREME QUARTZ, ($2,295). CHOPARD MILLE MIGLIA CLASSIC CHRONOGRAPH, $15,900. BULOVA SUPER SEVILLE, ($1,095). BREITLING SUPEROCEAN HERITAGE B31 AUTOMATIC 44, ($9,900)

Photography: Marc Santos

Photo Assistants: Sara Fleiszig, Pascal Lee

Prop Styling: Chiara Purdy (Cadre Artist Management)

Styling: Haley Dach