The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve represents another addition to the Master Ultra Thin series that was revealed in 2008
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 |
| Platinum | 40 HV (950 platinum: 80-135 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)
New pink gold Code 11.59’s with this Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm in black, green and blue
The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding 41 mm Green & Bleu Nuit is the slightly larger model of the Code 11.59 time/date versions
Two new Code 11.59 versions in 38 millimeters, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding 38 mm Bleu Nuit & Light Blue
The Breitling Superocean Heritage 57 Highlands Capsule Collection watches are four vintage-inspired divers that refer to the Scottish Highlands
The Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton is exactly what the name implies: a very slim, open-worked high-end complication
Breguet presents two versions of a tourbillon in the Classique collection, the Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358. Both almost full of diamonds
The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Gem-Set represents the most luxurious Chronomaster with a lot of gemstones and a lot of rose gold
Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel, a high-end and very subtle dress watch
Carl F. Bucherer introduces four stylish versions of the Manero Peripheral Perpetual Calendar, featuring dials in black, green, rose, and taupe