Internet Horology Club 185
Is Gold Plating Practical?

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/7683989287

July 20, 2014, 16:29
Keith Klimkowicz
Is Gold Plating Practical?
Hi All

Not sure if this has been asked before. I just picked-up a Ball Watch with a Ball case. The case has a hinged back, but it is badly worn. The rest of the case looks good. Can the back be removed and polished smooth and be gold plated (just the outside). Since the back is plain anyway it should look OK no ridge lines.

I am still waiting to have the case in hand.

Thanks for any help or comments.

Regards
Keith
July 20, 2014, 16:51
Buster Beck
Read my previous post here Keith.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6047761/m/1293969287

regards,
bb
July 21, 2014, 01:04
David Abbe
Countless times I was tempted to Gold Plate watch cases by the "why not" side of my imagination. "Back in the 60's" I Gold Plated MANY parts (at Long Island Plating Co., Long Island City, NY) of the microwave assemblies I manufactured. Evidently in those days (pre-EPA) such Electro-plating was routinely accomplished to very heavy depths if needed by the applicable Mil-Spec.

Today, Micro-Inch Gold plating watch cases will NEVER "color" right, so Buster's linked comment hit the nail on the head, it just ain't worth the effort.

If you want it to look pretty and shiny, use a little Simichrome or Brasso (very sparingly) on the "brassed out" area, and it will "shine up" pretty nicely.
July 28, 2014, 04:57
William D. White
From my experience, the best gold plating solutions were cyanide based made by Krohn. I found these to be perfect for refinishing bright steel movement parts such as regulators, springs and screws but unsuitable for case parts. For this purpose, as stated in earlier posts, the applied layer was much too thin and the color wrong.

William
July 28, 2014, 20:20
Keith Klimkowicz
Thank for the posts...

Thinking gold leaf?

Keith
July 28, 2014, 21:32
Lorne Wasylishen
quote:
Thinking gold leaf?


Looks like it could be pricey and I think you will be able to see the seams.

You could however have a 23K gold case.

Gilded Planet