Gold Plating Repair

[kto_1201]

My mom hasn't worn this watch for ages. She gave it to my wife and some of the gold plating has come off (not sure why). I checked with my jewllery guy and he says its not easily done and in similar colors.

Does anyone have any advice on how to fix the gold plating issue?

[padi56]

Afraid Rolex don't use gold plating on any of there watches,they only use at one time 14ct solid gold and now 18ct solid gold.If watch is gold plated then it's not a genuine Rolex watch.

[Toronto Soup King]

That's a holes case from the era when Rolex DID sell gold cap models - look at the 1014 for a contemporary men's watch. I agree it might be a PITA to repair this though

[Dan S]

I have never seen a decent repair of a gold-capped case.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid Rolex don't use gold plating on any of there watches,they only use at one time 14ct solid gold and now 18ct solid gold.If watch is gold plated then it's not a genuine Rolex watch.

Padi, I beg to differ. There was a short time in the early 80s where gold plate was most definitely used between both cases and bracelets on some entry level 34mm precisions. Not to be confused with gold cap or gold filled.

Ill have to go back and look, but there have been a few threads on the subject in my tenure. The bracelets usually had a large letter P stamped on the end link and the case would be stamped with KB 40 microns between the 6 o' clock lugs..

The OPs watch looks like gold cap to me. You can see in the affected areas, the difference in thickness from where the cap is missing due to corrosion.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...4-t276508.html

[padi56]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Padi, I beg to differ. There was a short time in the early 80s where gold plate was most definitely used between both cases and bracelets on some entry level 34mm precisions (6694). Not to be confused with gold cap or gold filled.

Ill have to go back and look, but there have been a few threads on the subject in my tenure. The bracelets usually had a large letter P stamped on the end link and the case would be stamped with KB 40 microns between the 6 o' clock lugs..

The OPs watch looks like gold cap to me. You can see in the affected areas, the difference in thickness from where the cap is missing due to corrosion.

Yes I forgot about the Rolex precisions from the 1960s into 1980s with the manual wind 1275. Not many of those around now but if I remember not with that type of bracelet in picture.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes I forgot about the Rolex precisions from the 1960s into 1980s with the manual wind 1275. Not many of those around now but if I remember not with that type of bracelet in picture.

Correct, the plated bracelets were usually folded link or riveted bracelets from the time with 57 or 557 end links. There were even quite a few Tudor bracelets and cases that were plated also but thats for a different discussion.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Correct, the plated bracelets were usually folded link or riveted bracelets from the time with 57 or 557 end links. There were even quite a few Tudor bracelets and cases that were plated also but thats for a different discussion.

Yes agree and if I remember most of the gold capped/plated models were made for European and Canada sales.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes agree and if I remember most of the gold capped/plated models were made for European and Canada sales.

Probably having to do with import taxes on precious metals. It is my understanding that the plating was done domestically after importation.

I think capped models were available stateside

[oysterfisher]

From the size of the watch and links by side it looks like a 69178 Lady Datejust (26mm) in 18K gold. I moreover think that this is not a gold plating issue. Its a "oxidated" or lets say "aged" gold case. This happens frequently if the watch (as the OP mentioned) wasnt worn for long time.
If you or your wife dont like that "style", bring it to a educated jeweler (please not to the guy which told you this is plated!) and let it be cleaned away in the ultrasonic by using gold cleaning liquid, or lightly get it polished.

btw: nice ladies watch.