Emil Wojcik
1702
A lot has to do with the perceived status of platinum...
...but of course, as others have already posted, it's also more difficult and considerably more costly to machine.
Platinum will also wear better than gold due to it's hardness, which makes it less susceptible to damage from use. That's an added benefit in my eyes and may justify a bit of the difference.
I don't think the status issue will change unless gold prices rise considerably more and then stay that way for a very long time. But that's just my opinion.
And don't forget, a gold watch can cost $10K or $20K+ more than the same watch in stainless...that's the real puzzle in my eyes. What, other than status, can possible make a gold watch that much more costly than it's steel counterpart?
This message has been edited by Emil Wojcik on 2012-02-08 11:19:00
Platinum now $200 less than gold, yet platinum watches fetch same premium
The watch business is just fun to watch. Yes, I am aware that platinum is slightly harder to work with than gold, however, it is no longer a more expensive metal. In fact, the $200 spread between the two is quite large! Will we see platinum be perceived a...
Tapping onto your excellent point
Am always under the impression that platinium is harder to fashion than gold. Fact or Fiction ? And if so, have I listed an excuse for the premium ?
Density of Platinum Exceeds Gold Therefore More Oz's Used
The density of platinum exceeds gold. So the same watch case manufactured out of platinum will weigh more then its gold counterpart. Since price is denoted in troy ounces it will therefore cost more. That is one factor that affects the difference in price...
We had this discussion just recently...
here with some excellent inputs: CLICK ME! To sum up: raw material costs (which includes the greater purity of Platinum (95%) vs. Gold (75%) machining costs 'marketing costs' (that is what captures the status of the precious material) Thanks, Magnus
A lot has to do with the perceived status of platinum...
...but of course, as others have already posted, it's also more difficult and considerably more costly to machine. Platinum will also wear better than gold due to it's hardness, which makes it less susceptible to damage from use. That's an added benefit i...
Density alone of platinum is 11% higher plus 95% platinum or more vs. 75% (18k)
Means generally more than 30% more platinum by weight than gold for the same case. Add the significantly higher machining costs and you see the economics.
and ounce is and ounce
Yes, platinum may be more dense, but an ounce is and ounce and platinum is priced in the same troy ounces as gold. Bottom line, buying the same amount of platinum costs less right now. The machining is a bit more difficult, but with a $200 difference in m...
An ounce is an once, but for a given volume...
Like in a watch case there will be more platinum by weight. Platinum will be 21.45 grams per cubic cm and gold will be 19.3 grams for the same volume. This of course would be if we were talking 100% platinum and 24k gold. Factor in the big difference in a...
True, platinum is technically softer but...
...it has greater tensile strength, so it wears much better than gold. And although it will scratch slightly easier, its tensile strength allows it to be polished more without wearing down the case, which means a sharp edge will stay sharp even with repea...
Rarity is a physical reality...
World platinum production is ~6% of gold production. The earth has far greater (proven) gold reserves than platinum reserves, so it is our declining faith in fiat currency and economic conditions around the world that drives the value of gold rather than ...