The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Other (non-Rolex) Watch Topics > Ω Omega Discussion Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 4 April 2013, 08:14 AM   #31
APguy1
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Olly
Location: UK
Watch: Sub C 116610
Posts: 256
I think Rolex use white gold for the hands because it's more reflective than stainless steel and it reflects the light better making it more eye catching, so its easier to tell the time in low light conditions
APguy1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 April 2013, 10:30 AM   #32
Rashid.bk
"TRF" Member
 
Rashid.bk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: 12800ft = 3900m
Posts: 11,173
Quote:
Originally Posted by AudemarsGeek1 View Post
I think Rolex use white gold for the hands because it's more reflective than stainless steel and it reflects the light better making it more eye catching, so its easier to tell the time in low light conditions
That's not quite the reason. Rolex uses it to prevent corrosion, particularly when they used tritium. Have you seen the vintage models. Also Rolex's hands have a relatively small amount of metal showing so you don't really benefit too much from the material(sport/professional models). Now my PO's hands have a lot off material on the sides which make them pretty visible in any condition, even a small amount of ambient light touches them and they reflect.
Rashid.bk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 April 2013, 10:33 AM   #33
KeepTicking
"TRF" Member
 
KeepTicking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Brian
Location: NY
Watch: DJ2, BLNR, PO, Nav
Posts: 606
Quote:
Originally Posted by AudemarsGeek1 View Post
I think Rolex use white gold for the hands because it's more reflective than stainless steel and it reflects the light better making it more eye catching, so its easier to tell the time in low light conditions
It doesn't matter even if the omega is steel and the rolex is wg, they would both reflect light the same as they are each plated with a thin layer of rhodium, which is a VERY reflective metal. The difference would be in the metal benieth the rhodium, making up the structure of the hands.
KeepTicking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 April 2013, 11:37 AM   #34
Rashid.bk
"TRF" Member
 
Rashid.bk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: 12800ft = 3900m
Posts: 11,173
Well, Omega hasn't followed up but I think I found the answer in the latest WatchTime magazine.
In it they test the new Aqua Terra GMT. When they start speaking on the details they mention that the indices are stainless steel. If on this model which is a more (I would say) sophisticated watch has ss indices then we can deduce the hands on that model are ss too.
So if this model has ss markers and hands then I am about 90% certain at this point that the diving line has ss hands, indices and logo, especially since this particular detail is obscured.
Were they gold, it would definitely be a marketing point of mention somewhere.
Rashid.bk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 April 2013, 10:04 PM   #35
KeepTicking
"TRF" Member
 
KeepTicking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Brian
Location: NY
Watch: DJ2, BLNR, PO, Nav
Posts: 606
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rashid.bk View Post
Well, Omega hasn't followed up but I think I found the answer in the latest WatchTime magazine.
In it they test the new Aqua Terra GMT. When they start speaking on the details they mention that the indices are stainless steel. If on this model which is a more (I would say) sophisticated watch has ss indices then we can deduce the hands on that model are ss too.
So if this model has ss markers and hands then I am about 90% certain at this point that the diving line has ss hands, indices and logo, especially since this particular detail is obscured.
Were they gold, it would definitely be a marketing point of mention somewhere.
I agree with your inference. I would say if we take the above info plus the fact that omega's website says they're rhodium plated, not rhodium plated white gold, I am 99% certain they are steel. As stated above, if they were gold, omega would have certainly used that as a marketing point in addition to them being rhodium plated.
KeepTicking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 April 2013, 11:00 AM   #36
Rashid.bk
"TRF" Member
 
Rashid.bk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: 12800ft = 3900m
Posts: 11,173
WOW!
Did not see this coming. Omega finally responded and I would never have thought this is the answer I would get.
The hands and indices are all bronze then plated in rhodium for added protection.
Bronze.....really. Would never have guessed.
Rashid.bk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 April 2013, 11:00 AM   #37
Rashid.bk
"TRF" Member
 
Rashid.bk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: 12800ft = 3900m
Posts: 11,173
double post.
Rashid.bk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2013, 12:34 PM   #38
KeepTicking
"TRF" Member
 
KeepTicking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Brian
Location: NY
Watch: DJ2, BLNR, PO, Nav
Posts: 606
Well that is actually quite interesting... Thanks for the update!!!!!
KeepTicking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2013, 01:13 PM   #39
cedargrove
"TRF" Member
 
cedargrove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Rich
Location: Canada
Watch: Milgauss, GMT IIc
Posts: 3,013
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rashid.bk View Post
WOW!
Did not see this coming. Omega finally responded and I would never have thought this is the answer I would get.
The hands and indices are all bronze then plated in rhodium for added protection.
Bronze.....really. Would never have guessed.
Thanks for this. I would have assumed rhodium plated steel.

I find my PO hands much shiner than on my Rolex. I wonder if the AR coating has any effect on this?
cedargrove is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2013, 04:21 PM   #40
TauHway
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Earth
Posts: 54
the question is why bronze? is bronze a better material than steel or is this a cost related decision?
TauHway is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2013, 05:00 PM   #41
htc8p
"TRF" Member
 
htc8p's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Bert
Location: philippines
Watch: 116710 ln
Posts: 3,472
i think bronze is easier to shape to those arrow hands.

and lighter (not sure about this)
htc8p is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 April 2013, 06:28 AM   #42
Cesium133
"TRF" Member
 
Cesium133's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 2,037
Wow. I also would have never guessed that. Thanks for the update!
Cesium133 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.