Somebody focusing so much on status so as to need to spend this much money is merely out of my understanding. Yes, it's some form of intolerance on my side and I fully admit it.
Now, gold is both rare and needed, and implies mining, and possibly underpaid people with awful work conditions. I find building such short-lived and futile items with it irresponsible. It's fortunate it's mostly anecdotal. But these people are so out of touch with the realities of our world. This is what, among other things, I see in a gold watch.
Showing status is a double edged sword.
Of course, it works both ways. Someone wearing a gold watch probably wouldn't care for me. At least the relation is likely symmetrical.
Out of mine either. But I accept that other people have other values and rather focus on the things in common. In this case, fighting for things to last.
Aside from a little extra effort in manufacturing, I fail to see it.
Jetting everywhere for the sake of it, yes, this is worth critizicing( and mocking), but a golden luxory is harmless I think and not worth a class warfare.