Yes, gold is softer than steel.

Hi, djmm,

as a general rule of thumb, gold (and platinum) have lower surface hardness than steel, hence will scratch more easily.

This can get a little complicated because gold can be work hardened, and there are "softer" grades of steel, but in general, it is safe to assume that gold will "scratch" more easily than the stainless used to make most watch cases.

I would be very careful with "wiping" gold cases, and even SS cases - even the softest microfiber in the world can have trapped "hard" debris - a grain of sand or pebble, for example, or a sliver of metal, whatever. This then acts as a graver or sandpaper when you rub the case with the cloth.

Are scratches more obvious on gold than on stainless?

Not usually; how "obvious" a scratch is usually is more dependent on the type of surface finish the scratch occurs on - high polished surfaces show scratches more than brushed, for example, especially if the scratch is in the same direction as the brushing.

Cheers,

Do Rose Gold Watches Scratch More Easily Than SS?
Apr 25 2010,23:38 PM

From my understanding, a solid 18K rose gold watch (or any other color of gold) will scratch easier than stainless steel watches right? I don't have experience with gold watches before, so I am wondering how soft the metal actually is. I mean, will it pick up hairline scuff if we are not careful and just wiping it with slightly less soft cloth (not microfibre cloth)?
And if they do scratch, are they more obvious than SS surface?
Reason I'm asking is my partner usually freaks out when her precious SS watch get scratched. I wonder if a rose gold will be even much worse and obvious to see.

Do Rose Gold Watches Scratch More Easily Than SS?

By: djmm : April 25th, 2010-23:38

i have to agree that RG does scrach and pickup hairlines

By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : April 26th, 2010-06:16

easier than SS

Funnily Enough

By: djmm : April 26th, 2010-06:57

Most of the (gold) watch pictures I've seen posted by members here showed almost immaculate watch conditions. I think they tend to take more care of the watches because they're gold...

yes..it does, but...

By: Hororgasm : April 26th, 2010-09:55

i m more careful when wearing precious metal, plus they tend to be more the dress watch category, thus less opportuinity for scratches n dents, vis a viz the SS sports watches i guess.

Yes, gold is softer than steel.

By: ThomasM : April 26th, 2010-11:51

Hi, djmm, as a general rule of thumb, gold (and platinum) have lower surface hardness than steel, hence will scratch more easily. This can get a little complicated because gold can be work hardened, and there are "softer" grades of steel, but in general, ...

Thomas, you bring up an interesting point....

By: 1watch : April 26th, 2010-20:53

Is there a general recommendation for particularly fastidious collectors to remove dust, etc. that accumlate on the surface metal instead of carefully polishing with a microfiber cloth? What has been your experience of the safest way to clean the surface ...

same as wiping down your car

By: ThomasM : April 27th, 2010-00:37

Hi, Avoid "rubbing" the case as much as possible; avoid using cocktail napkins (SHUDDER!) or just any old rag that comes to hand "shake out" whatever you plan to use that you plan to apply with pressure to the case use the pad of your fingers to gently "p...

Another idea to add.....

By: 1watch : April 27th, 2010-06:11

Great ideas. I personally never use a coarse material on mine and always shake out a microfiber clothe before gently cleaning the case. I've also used pressurized air (small canister used to clean a keyboard) to gently spray the case from a distance on oc...

for a watch that makes you drool

By: amerix : April 27th, 2010-01:32

When out of the house, I use the tip of my tongue, then blot carefully with a shirt sleeve That assumes that any dirt was not caused by seagulls or pigeons as well as by anything potentially toxic or infectuous. This method is particularly effective for r...

Both gold and SS scratch easily...

By: DonCorson : April 26th, 2010-12:57

IMHO 'though gold takes it's signs of wear more gracefully than steel. Maybe it's only me, but I see a a gold watch that is well loved and worn alot, while on a SS watch I just see scratches. Don

I agree. I think gold watches actualy look better with a bit of wear. [nt]

By: Richard C : April 26th, 2010-19:17

No message body

i agree

By: dolphin : April 27th, 2010-04:15

Neither Gold or SS,Just depends on the man who wearing them....

To my experience the worst is....

By: moc : April 26th, 2010-16:16

platinum..Whatever people say about its hardness Pt scratches more easly than gold and SS.It scratches in a different way,whereas RG and WG acquire even hairlines that make the watches more charming,Pt scratches badly. Thats my experience. Mo

Gold is softer than steel, but the good news is...

By: Blue_Orca : April 26th, 2010-16:58

...it takes a lot less effort to polish out fine scratches on polished surfaces on gold with a Cape Cod cloth than on steel. This is a little like acrylic crystal vs. sapphire. The former scratches easily but can be polished up quite readily as well. The ...

One thing I feel why gold (yellow & rose) wears better than steel is due to its color

By: AnthonyTsai : April 26th, 2010-19:29

Whenever you have a white colored metal such as polished stainless steel, any scratch seems more prevelant to the eyes. To me, I think yellow and rose gold hide scratches better. And for me from my personal experience, I think a scratched polished white g...

Thanks

By: djmm : April 26th, 2010-23:42

Thanks for all the tips guys. Talking about polishing/cleaning method, I think that's why some of my watches have this unexplained tiny scuff here and there. Might have been a dust trapped on microfibre cloth. Now I'm beginning to think that my camera len...

Yes, of course

By: big daddy : April 28th, 2010-20:49

SS is much harder to scratch than any gold or platinum watch...lt is just a much harder metal! I own both but tend to wear precious metals under a shirt's cuff.