Two-tone watches
References in the Grail Atlas catalog with a two-tone case.
Two-tone (Rolex's "Rolesor") combines a steel case-band and bracelet outer links with a gold (yellow, rose, or white) bezel, crown, and bracelet center links. The format was Rolex's 1933 invention and has remained a Rolex signature, though essentially every major brand has produced two-tone variants. The visual logic is precious-metal at the high-touch points (crown, bezel) with steel where durability matters most.
What to look for
The Rolex Datejust 41 126333 (Rolesor with yellow gold), Submariner 126613LB (the "Bluesy"), and GMT-Master II 126713GRNR are the canonical modern two-tones. Tudor's Black Bay S&G 79733N is the brand's two-tone diver. The shopping question is whether you commit to the look — two-tone is a polarizing decision and "trying it out" with a cheaper microbrand version usually doesn't satisfy. The two-tone Submariner has its own collector following that runs counter to the "two-tone is gauche" reaction common in newer collectors. Hold one in person before deciding.
