18k Gold on Rolex

[Gaijin]

As some of you know I bought a TT Blue Sub. I love it, but it is my first Rolex with any gold. I have only had it for a few weeks and wear it normally. However it already has some visible scratches on the gold. I bump it here and there. That gold is soft. The SS portion of the watch is fine. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do about it? Thanks.

[davor]

stop bumping it

[nko51]

18K Gold is toward the softer extreme. it is 75% pure gold. You must be careful with your hand movements.

[Gaijin]

Thank you. You have all been very helpful.

[Andad]

I thought that 18K gold was one of the hardest percentages with 9K a bit softer but whatever, it is still easy to scratch but also easy to polish (carefully).

[colemanitis]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I thought that 18K gold was one of the hardest percentages with 9K a bit softer but whatever, it is still easy to scratch but also easy to polish (carefully).

I think you have this backwards. 24k is solid gold, thus being the softest. The lower the number (24k, 18k, 14k, etc.) the harder the material.

[Andad]

I think this depends on the metals used to form the gold alloys. The high copper, lower silver content and the zinc content (45% , 10% and 7.5% by weight) in 9k gold makes it softer than 18k gold (9% copper and 16% silver).
18k annealled gold is not only harder but more corrosion resistant than 9k or 14K gold. 9k gold only has 22% gold (by volume) compared to 61% for 18K.
18k beats the other grades for quality and hardness and I think that is why it is used for most of the higher quality jewellery like Rolex watches for example.

Boy, hope I got some of that right.

[Gaijin]

You guys are killing me. Whatever the gold that is used on the TT Blue Sub. That is what is scratched. Can it be repaired/buffed out?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

You guys are killing me. Whatever the gold that is used on the TT Blue Sub. That is what is scratched. Can it be repaired/buffed out?

Minor scratches on the gold can be buffed out by a watchmaker. But I wouldn't advise you to do it too often. Each time the watch is buffed, a very minute quantity of gold is lost along with the buffing.

Just enjoy the watch. Gold is a polished surface and is bound to attract scratches. Just be a little more careful, that's all.

Cheers - JJ

[Gaijin]

Thanks JJ.

[Andad]

What did I say - polish it carefully.

[Mrdi]

Initial scratches are only the onset of patina.
Wear the watch well and it will come to exhibit a canvas of adventure and experience.

Enjoy,

Mrdi

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

Initial scratches are only the onset of patina.
Wear the watch well and it will come to exhibit a canvas of adventure and experience.

Enjoy,

Mrdi

Good attitude! Thanks.

[Blue Bull]

You will get very fine scrathes on the gold of any Rolex.Gold is soft,period.You dont want any scrathes,you will have to place it in the safe forever,which defeats the purpose of the excercise.18ct is soft.9ct gold would have been more practical,especially for a watch.9ct is harder and more scratch resistant compared to 18ct.24ct,the purest and softest.When we went over to Dubai.We had to look very hard to get 18ct gold.All the (very impressive) jewellry is 24ct.24ct gold is very impractical,just too soft and too yellow in my opinion.I have a neck chain I wear(always).Its 9ct.You wont find any scratches on it.

If we had 9ct gold on our watches,fine scratches,would not have been an issue.Had I the choice,I would go for 9ct.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

You will get very fine scrathes on the gold of any Rolex.Gold is soft,period.You dont want any scrathes,you will have to place it in the safe forever,which defeats the purpose of the excercise.18ct is soft.9ct gold would have been more practical,especially for a watch.9ct is harder and more scratch resistant compared to 18ct.24ct,the purest and softest.When we went over to Dubai.We had to look very hard to get 18ct gold.All the (very impressive) jewellry is 24ct.24ct gold is very impractical,just too soft and too yellow in my opinion.I have a neck chain I wear(always).Its 9ct.You wont find any scratches on it.

If we had 9ct gold on our watches,fine scratches,would not have been an issue.Had I the choice,I would go for 9ct.

Have to disagree with you on this one, Chris. I have a goldsmith friend who quite honestly tells me that 9 ct. gold is pretty much hardly any gold.

18 K is 750 gold with the remaining 250 being made up of various metals, mostly silver and also some platinum, etc. for white gold.

9 K is just 375 gold with 625 parts of metals. Yes, this does make the 9 K gold much harder, but not much by way of value.

According to my goldsmith, the least gold a person should go in for is 14 K gold. Anything less than that is not worth it.

In India, you will be very hard pressed to find 14 K or 18 K gold - 9 K NEVER!!

Most popular there is the 22 K variety.

I think Rolex and most watch manufacturers have done right by using the 18 K variety.

JJ

[Prince]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

...I think Rolex and most watch manufacturers have done right by using the 18 K variety.

I agree. Exactly the right pure gold content to make it as resistant to scratches as possible and still maintain a high level of luster and "goldness".

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Prince

I agree. Exactly the right pure gold content to make it as resistant to scratches as possible and still maintain a high level of luster and "goldness".

That's right....and, in any case, I would never use a gold watch as a tool one. I mean, why would one wear a TT Blue Sub for diving when an SS one would do the same job without fear of scratching up the gold.

A TT Blue Sub is worn for one reason and one reason only - its sheer beauty!!



JJ

[Prince]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

...A TT Blue Sub is worn for one reason and one reason only - its sheer beauty!!

And with a sh*tload of TT Rollies like I have, they are ALL worn for that reason!

[Gaijin]

I agree. I wear my TT Blue Sub just because it is soooooo gorgeous!

I will take care with it, but I am gonna wear it and if it gets scratched I won't fret over it. I am blessed to be able to have it.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I am blessed to be able to have it.

....and privileged, Tim.....and highly privileged!!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I agree. I wear my TT Blue Sub just because it is soooooo gorgeous!
I will take care with it, but I am gonna wear it and if it gets scratched I won't fret over it. I am blessed to be able to have it.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Have to disagree with you on this one, Chris. I have a goldsmith friend who quite honestly tells me that 9 ct. gold is pretty much hardly any gold.

18 K is 750 gold with the remaining 250 being made up of various metals, mostly silver and also some platinum, etc. for white gold.

9 K is just 375 gold with 625 parts of metals. Yes, this does make the 9 K gold much harder, but not much by way of value.

According to my goldsmith, the least gold a person should go in for is 14 K gold. Anything less than that is not worth it.

In India, you will be very hard pressed to find 14 K or 18 K gold - 9 K NEVER!!

Most popular there is the 22 K variety.

I think Rolex and most watch manufacturers have done right by using the 18 K variety.

JJ

I still think on a watch ,9ct will be more practical and wont take anything away from the looks of the watch.Nothing to do with value .really.Just a practical concern.It will be more scratch resistant.Period.That said,my Dweller,also have some scuff and fine scratches,already,BUT,you must remember,I actually wear mine,I dont only take pictures of them ...

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

...BUT,you must remember,I actually wear mine,I dont only take pictures of them ...

[Alex Stylianou]

As I have Said , Many Times before , Try JJ's Toothbrush Meathod