Four Men’s Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph Watches Not to Miss

ARTICLE DATE 07/26/2017
Luxury two-tone chronographs from Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Cartier, and Rolex
Luxury two-tone chronograph watches from Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Cartier, and Rolex

A classic in luxury watches is the ubiquitous two-tone style. The marriage of different colored metals in a watch is a look that’s been around for a long time. While it’s certainly a design popular with dress watches, a luxury two-tone chronograph watch is one not to miss either. Part sporty, part elegant, the two-tone chronograph offers a casual chic vibe. Don’t believe us? Then check out these four luxury two-tone chronograph watches that will certainly change your mind.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph

In honor of one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Audemars Piguet created an exclusive Royal Oak Leo Messi collection. Housing four different versions of the watch, each Royal Oak Leo Messi chronograph is a limited edition. This particular Royal Oak Leo Messi ref. 26325OL.OO.D005CR.01 is a luxury two-tone chronograph that brings together rose gold and tantalum. If you haven’t heard of tantalum that’s because it’s an AP invented gray metal that’s scratch and corrosion resistant.

Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Leo Messi
Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Leo Messi

The 41mm rose gold case of course sports the octagonal bezel iconic to the Royal Oak watch. The cool gray shade of the tantalum bezel contrasts beautifully with the warmth of the rose gold case. Conversely, the satin-brushed anthracite dial sets the perfect contrasting background for the rose gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. There’s also the trio of registers on the dial for the chronograph function.

Powered by Caliber 2385—a column-wheel integrated, self-winding chronograph movement—the rose gold Leo Messi AP Royal Oak has up to 40 hours of power reserve. The striking two-tone luxury chronograph comes equipped with a hand-stitched “large square scale” anthracite alligator strap and a stainless steel AP folding clasp. Limited to only 400 pieces, this particular Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph is a fitting tribute to Leo Messi.

Breitling Chronomat Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph

Unlike the rose gold and tantalum of the above AP watch, this particular Breitling Chronomat IB0110 brings together a more classic metal combination: yellow gold and stainless steel. From the duo of chrono pushers to the winding crown to the four bezel riders, the 18k yellow gold details pop in contrast to the 43.5mm stainless steel case. Moreover, the black dial wears its three gold subdials, indexes, and center hands well.

Breitling Chronomat Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph Watch
Breitling Chronomat Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph Watch

The most obvious two-tone accent on this Breitling Chronomat is, however, found the bracelet. Threading through the steel link bracelet are two yellow gold paths that add an elegant touch to the technical timepiece.

Beating at the core of the Breitling Chronomat is Breitling’s first in-house automatic mechanical movement, the B01. With 70 hours of power reserve, the Breitling 01 Manufacture movement includes the time, instantaneous date, and column wheel chronograph functions.

Calibre de Cartier Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph

With this Calibre de Cartier, we revisit the use of rose gold on a luxury chronograph. But this time, paired with stainless steel. The Calibre de Cartier is one of the Maison‘s most recent collections, having made its debut in 2010 with the chronograph models following in 2013.

Calibre de Cartier Two-Tone Luxury Chronograph
Calibre de Cartier Two-Tone Luxury Chronograph

On the generous, yet very wearable, 42mm stainless steel case of the Calibre de Cartier Chronograph sits an 18k rose gold bezel accented with a 60-minute track. To complement the case, the steel bracelet includes some precious rose gold links too. The rose gold details carry onto the white dial with the pair of registers at 3 and 9 o’clock. Interestingly, the dial includes traditional Roman numerals on the upper portion of the watch, along with more contemporary baton indexes on the lower portion. It seems Cartier is not just pairing different metals on this two-tone luxury chronograph, but a little bit of classic and modern touches too.

As its name suggests, the Calibre de Cartier runs on an in-house Cartier automatic movement. The Cartier 1904-CH MC movement drives the chronograph and time functions, in addition to the date window at 6 o’clock.

Rolex Daytona Luxury Two-Tone Chronograph

Perhaps the most famous luxury two-tone chronograph available today is the Rolex Daytona. While Rolex’s signature chronograph watch is available in steel, as well as full gold, there’s something to be said for the iconic Rolesor two-tone configuration.

Rolex Daytona ref. 116523 two-tone luxury chronograph
Rolex Daytona ref. 116523 two-tone luxury chronograph

This particular Rolex Daytona ref. 116523 includes the 18k yellow gold bezel, chronograph pushers, winding crown, and center links on the Oyster bracelet for that unmistakable Rolesor Daytona look. Plus, for even more lavishness, the 40mm Oyster case houses a black dial with diamond hour markers. The yellow gold features on the dial — from the indexes to the subdials — complete the two-tone style.

Under the hood of the Rolex Daytona ref. 116235 is the famed in-house Rolex Caliber 4130 chronograph movement. This automatic caliber famously utilizes a vertical clutch chronograph for optimal precision, reliability, and power efficiency. Consequently, it boasts a practical 72 hours of power reserve.

Luxury two-tone chronograph watches
Luxury two-tone chronograph watches

So if you’re in the market for a luxury chronograph watch that is both sporty and elegant, then opt for a two-tone version. And as these four top watchmakers demonstrate, the two-tone luxury chronograph is a classic that will always look great on any wrist.

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