{"id":18579,"date":"2021-11-16T06:01:48","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T14:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?p=18579"},"modified":"2026-07-03T15:07:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:07:42","slug":"black-and-gold-rolex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/black-and-gold-rolex.html","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Black and Gold Watches Ultimate Buying Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A striking combination, a gold Rolex watch with black details is a classic and stylish choice. Aside from the more obvious sizing considerations, design plays a major factor in a watch\u2019s appeal. There are a number of color schemes in Rolex\u2019s catalog that manage to suit both masculine and feminine tastes, and the pairing of black and gold is one such combination. The warmth of a luxurious yellow gold case against a rich black dial (and in several instances, black bezels or straps) creates a look of sober luxury, regardless of the wearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you love the mix of black and gold, then Rolex has plenty to offer. Not only are there black and gold Rolex dress watches but the brand makes several sports watches with that color profile too. Additionally, you can take your pick from vintage Rolex models or modern ones – the marriage of black and gold has been a mainstay of the Rolex lineup for decades. If you\u2019re looking to add one to your Rolex collection<\/a>, then read this handy black and gold Rolex guide to help you decide which one belongs in your collection.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What are Rolex Black Onyx Dials?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before getting into the details of the watches themselves, we have to discuss black onyx Rolex dials. From the 1970s until the 1990s, Rolex equipped select Datejust and Day-Date references with stone dials, including onyx ones. Onyx is a variety of the Chalcedony gemstone and while it is available in a multitude of colors, solid black onyx is the most popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vintage Rolex watches with black onyx dials are generally sparsely decorated with a trio of gold hands at the center, a Rolex crown at 12 o\u2019clock, a few lines of text, and either one or two calendar windows. These dark and stark dials, which almost never have hour markers (except for some rare variations with a smattering of diamond indexes), look especially good when paired with a solid yellow gold Rolex watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold Rolex watches with black onyx dials are highly collectible; their demand coupled with the fact that stone dials have a tendency to crack if handled improperly make them a prized find in the collector\u2019s market.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Black and Gold Rolex Classic Watches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of all the precious metals available, yellow gold remains the most traditional option. So it comes as no surprise that Rolex makes plenty of classic watches in yellow gold. Some of Rolex\u2019s most famous classic models like the Day-Date, Datejust, and Sky-Dweller, are available with yellow gold cases and black dials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolex Day-Date<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The Day-Date, commonly known as the Rolex President, is the brand\u2019s most exclusive and famous gold watch. Since the mid-1950s, the model\u2019s defining trait has been the pair of calendar windows on the dial (one for the day and one for the date). While Rolex has paired the Day-Date with various different bands such as Oyster bracelets and leather straps, it is traditionally fitted with the President bracelet, which was specifically designed by Rolex for the Day-Date collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolex exclusively makes the Day-Date in precious metals, with yellow gold being the go-to option. Given that black dials are common in Rolex\u2019s collection, there is no shortage of black and gold Day-Date President watches. Plus, there are Day-Date references available with black onyx dials too, such as the President ref. 18038 and ref. 18238.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from vintage or modern models, there are also gold and black Day-Date watches in different sizes. There are of course the classic Day-Date 36 models, but let\u2019s not forget the larger Day-Date II (ref. 218238) with a 41mm case and the newer Day-Date 40 (ref. 228238) with a 40mm case.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Rolex Datejust<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The Datejust has served as the archetype of the quintessential Rolex watch since the model\u2019s debut in 1945. Available in a multitude of sizes, materials, and styles, there are hundreds of references available. What they all have in common is the date window at 3 o\u2019clock, magnified by Rolex\u2019s signature Cyclops lens on the surface of the crystal above it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current two larger sizes of the Datejust are the Datejust 36 and the Datejust 41, both of which are not available in full yellow gold. However, there are discontinued yellow gold Datejust watches like the Datejust 36 ref. 116238 and the Datejust 36 ref. 16238, and some examples are fitted with black dials. There\u2019s also the superb vintage Datejust 16018 with a black onyx dial housed inside its yellow gold case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Rolex has always offered the smaller Datejust models like the now-discontinued Lady-Datejust 26, the current Lady-Datejust 28, and the midsize Datejust 31, in precious metals. From vintage variants to modern reference, you can find plenty of yellow gold women\u2019s Datejust models with black dials, and you\u2019ll have your option of examples both with and without diamonds.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Rolex Sky-Dweller<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The Sky-Dweller is not only one of Rolex\u2019s newest collections but also one of the brand\u2019s most complicated watches. First introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller boasts a dial with date, month, and two time zone indicators. What\u2019s more, it is an annual calendar, which means that it keeps track of the different numbers of days in each month and only requires resetting once per year. While there are now stainless steel and two-tone Sky-Dweller watches, Rolex initially only made these 42mm luxury travel watches in three different shades of solid 18k gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For yellow gold and black Sky-Dweller watches, you have a few choices. First, there\u2019s the Sky-Dweller 326938 with a solid yellow gold Oyster bracelet. Then there\u2019s the discontinued Sky-Dweller 326138, fitted with a black leather strap. Finally, there\u2019s the new Sky-Dweller 326238, which is equipped with a black Oysterflex bracelet.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Black and Gold Rolex Sports Watches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of Rolex sports watches are fitted with black dials. A smaller number of Rolex sports models are available in 18k yellow gold and when they are, you can be sure they can be found with the option of a black dial. Here are some black and gold Rolex sports watches to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolex Submariner<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Known as the world\u2019s most famous diving watch, Rolex released the Submariner in 1953 as a no-nonsense stainless steel tool watch. However, after 16 years of production, Rolex saw the opportunity to expand the appeal of the Submariner beyond a utilitarian diver into a luxury sports watch. In 1969, Rolex unveiled the first gold Submariner in the form of the reference 1680\/8 – and the watchmaker has produced a yellow gold Sub ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All gold Submariners are available with black dials and black bezels (Rolex also makes blue ones; LN references are black while LB references are blue).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a list of black and gold Rolex Submariner references made throughout the years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n