It depends on how you calculate the costs ...

ONe of PVD's big advantages is that it is easier to achieve a flawless surface. Any watchmaker, who had a galvanic lab coating some of his work pieces, perfectly knows what I am speaking about. It is extremely difficult finding able and careful enough for the requirements of the watch production. Here are some pictures I botrrowed from a young German watchmaker, demonstrating the results of his quest for a good galvanizer in Germany - in fact, it already was the sixth company he tried:

Note the fingerprint on the upper right corner:

All pics (c) Philipp Nitzsche

If we take into account the inevitable discard, the cost of disposing the highly aggressive chemicals, and of course the higher material cost of a thicker coat of precious metal, I think that the cost per piece is not higher when it is coated by means of PVD process.

If a TiN coating would be called "gold PVD", it would certainly be a false claim, if it is called "gold tone PVD", or "gold colour PVD", this is okay. Personally, I have nothing against TiN, in the contrary, I think it is a very good coating for the case. However, people need the feeling to have something "really golden", when it looks like gold.

Regards,
Marcus

Gold PVD - a Scam? - PART II

By: Marcus Hanke : August 2nd, 2013-07:17

Modern gold PVD vs. traditional gold-plating by Marcus Hanke Remember the times when gold plated or gold filled watches were the poor mans gold watch? It was rather common to wear timepieces that were encased in steel (well, sometimes even brass) a...

Very very informative Markus!

By: patrickmaniac : August 2nd, 2013-07:49

Deeply appreciate the techicalities here. Cheers PAt

Crystal Clear

By: Spellbound : August 2nd, 2013-08:34

Thanks for this. Very informative and crystal clear. I have just looked at how many we'll known respected brands use gold PVD, it was very surprising. Anyway, I do think most of us here have never considered buying a gold PVD, or even a gold plated watch....

In my experience...

By: watchme : August 2nd, 2013-09:25

Raymond Weil, who set 10 microns as a standard, back in 1976, had ruled this area for many years (they got away from it, but I think they're returning to it slowly, but with rose gold). Their 10m holds up MUCH better than any PVD I've ever seen. Frankly, ...

great reporting, thanks! (nt)

By: ei8htohms : August 2nd, 2013-19:36

Fascinating!

By: pmb600 : August 2nd, 2013-20:54

Very interesting article, thanks for your research and well written report.

Thanks for sharing these information!

By: TOPLIMIT : August 2nd, 2013-20:56

Now I understand the difference between Gold Plating and Gold PVD. Will be more careful about it in the future.

Reference post!!!

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : August 3rd, 2013-04:48

One more of many from dr. Hanke's Laboratory Thank you very much indeed Best r egards Damjan

Old gold plating...

By: SteveW : August 3rd, 2013-08:38

...from an Omega bumper automatic from the late 1940's or early 1950's. Unbelievable that at that time 80 microns was considered a reasonable plating, versus 5 microns today! ...

Titanium Nitride...

By: patrick_y : August 3rd, 2013-08:53

Titanium Nitride must be the gold-plating industry's best friend! Thanks for sharing this Marcus!

TiN has some great physical properties

By: amerix : August 4th, 2013-00:53

one of them being that it is extremely hard (2450 HV) and thus all the more resistant to scratching and wear. So why cover it with a thin layer of gold, which is not? Besides, I love the color on industrial tools! In the hands of the right (watch) designe...

Don't forget the Longines gold PVD is mostly on ladies' timepieces ...

By: Marcus Hanke : August 5th, 2013-01:56

... and I doubt that this customer group would be equally attracted to a watch if the golden colour is not the result of at least a thin golden layer, but of an unprecious metal. Technically-minded customers are more likely to accept the latter. Just look...

The PVD process is certainly more expensive than electroplating...

By: diluted magnetics : August 3rd, 2013-12:34

But why is only 0.3 microns deposited? It could be as thick as anyone desires. It is true that PVD is an expensive process due to the equipment used. I always thought gold PVD was only TiN anyway. We use this material whenever we want a nice gold coloured...

although I suspect that many people reading it prefer solid steel to plated gold of any thickness. Excellent investigation and clear write-up. Thanks.

Thank you Marcus for the lesson!

By: Larry Seiden : August 6th, 2013-13:23

Outstanding research piece. Larry

Most Edifying!!!

By: AZDiverDLR : April 30th, 2014-07:34

Very interesting article. I feel much more educated on this topic now! Thanks, Dave

Thanks a lot, Dave! nt [nt]

By: Marcus Hanke : April 30th, 2014-09:06

Dear Marcus. Thank you for a clear and very accurate

By: timerider : September 17th, 2014-11:18

explanation of PVD as it pertains to watch making. I come from a semiconductor background and coatings are a day to day experience in our world as you are aware. My companies have 129 patents in coating or machines that make these coatings. Your article i...

Thank you kindly for your your great compliments!

By: Marcus Hanke : October 13th, 2014-05:14

I just read your comment after returning from vacation. Generally, I have the impression that "gold PVD" will disappear, at least from the marketing material. More recently, I have read only "gold-colored PVD", making clear that it is different from "real...

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