This Christiaan van der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture is the apotheosis under the leadership of the 2nd gen owners
Gold
Gold is a highly valued material in watchmaking, prized for its luxurious appeal and versatility. In watches, gold can be used in various forms, such as solid gold, gold-plated, or gold-filled. Solid gold watches, often made of 18-karat (75% pure gold) or 14-karat gold, are prestigious and sought-after due to their intrinsic value and luster.
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Gold plating, where a thin layer of gold is applied to a base metal, is a more affordable way to achieve a gold finish. Gold-filled watches, on the other hand, have a thicker layer of gold bonded to the metal, offering better durability than gold plating. Rose gold, a blend of gold and copper, has become particularly popular in modern watches for its unique pinkish hue.
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Use and hardness of gold
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Gold is used not only for cases but also for components like bezels, bracelets, and even watch movements in some luxury pieces. It adds weight, value, and aesthetic appeal, making gold watches symbols of wealth, craftsmanship, and style.
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The Hardness Vickers for gold varies. 24 carats, not often used for watches, has hardness of 60 to 80 HV. The more used 18-carat gold has a hardness of about 120 to 200 HV, and 14-carat gold reaches 150 to 200 HV. White gold is a little harder in general.
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Compare case materials on the Hardness Vickers scale (from hard to hardest):
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Carbon | 20-50 HV |
Silver | 70-90 HV |
Bronze | 60-150 HV (100-200 HV treated) |
Aluminium | 120-200 HV |
Gold | 120-200 HV (18k or 14k) |
Palladium | 150-200 HV |
White gold | 150-250 HV |
Stainless steel | 150-250 HV (special 1200 HV) |
Titanium | 150-200 HV (grade 2) / 300-400 HV (grade 5) |
Ceramic | 1200-1400 HV (1500-2000 for alumina) |
Sapphire | 2000-2300 HV |
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Watches in gold, either yellow, rose or just gold gold (not gold plated)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon
At the end of the Chinese year of the dragon this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon is released. Is it late to the party?
Especially for the Citizens fans, this is the Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono 44 Edition Manchester City that comes in gold/ceramic or fully gold
The Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges shows that bridges can also be an aesthetic feature, and not just a structural component
The civilian version of the military Type 20 becomes even more civilian with this Breguet Type XX Chronograph 2067 in rose gold
Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Self-winding Pink Gold / Black Dial
The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Self-winding Pink Gold / Black Dial goes back to the 1950s according to the brand. A cool black dress watch
Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary
The Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary is a variant of one of the top tier aviation watches
This Breitling Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary is part of a trilogy from the Swiss brand to celebrate they are 140 years old
Breitling Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary
The famous Swiss brand reveals a trilogy, this Breitling Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary is one of them
Another Extreme Sport variant by the Swiss brand, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport, a bold 44-millimeter watch