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Old 30 April 2012, 02:07 PM   #1
syahriltaher
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The Toughness of Gold Watch vs SS Watch

Guys,

I have just realised that a gold watch is not as tough as the SS one. I owned several SS watches and I have accidentally dropped some of them. The effect was not too devastating, maybe only some scratches that could easily be removed.

Last week I accidentally dropped my Gold DD, and the damages were severed on the case and bracelet. Some major dents, and bents...

The reasons are (in my opinion):

1. Gold watch is heavier than SS watch, so it will knock the tile harder than SS watch

2. Gold watch is much softer than SS watch, so it will be dented, scratch and bent more easily than SS watch

So based on the above, It would be wiser for gold watch owner to be more careful with their watch compared to the SS watch owner...


If any of you have other opinions, please post them....:)
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:10 PM   #2
kilyung
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Lesson: don't drop your watches regardless of material!
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:13 PM   #3
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Lesson: don't drop your watches regardless of material!
Good advice.
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:15 PM   #4
snowbird
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Yes, gold is definitely not as tough as steel though nothing beats the look of yellow gold IMO.
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:40 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syahriltaher View Post
Guys,

I have just realised that a gold watch is not as tough as the SS one. I owned several SS watches and I have accidentally dropped some of them. The effect was not too devastating, maybe only some scratches that could easily be removed.

Last week I accidentally dropped my Gold DD, and the damages were severed on the case and bracelet. Some major dents, and bents...

The reasons are (in my opinion):

1. Gold watch is heavier than SS watch, so it will knock the tile harder than SS watch

2. Gold watch is much softer than SS watch, so it will be dented, scratch and bent more easily than SS watch

So based on the above, It would be wiser for gold watch owner to be more careful with their watch compared to the SS watch owner...


If any of you have other opinions, please post them....:)
My opinion is YOU JUST CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION?

You know if you drop a glass mug on concrete, it will likley break... Just saying in case you didn't know!

The good news about gold watches is they can usually be repaired to new by a competent jeweler where if you have serious damage to SS, not as easy it he best advice was already given... Don't drop it in the first place! Hah!!

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Old 30 April 2012, 02:40 PM   #6
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gold < SS when dropped........
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:43 PM   #7
kilyung
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As far as everyday wear & tear, gold = steel.
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Old 30 April 2012, 02:52 PM   #8
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I think you've just been lucky on how it landed. Ive seen plenty of SS watches that didnt survive drops like that. The gold Rolex uses is pretty tough. I don't think there is much(if any) difference between an all gold watch compared to a GMTIIC or the Daytona with PCLs. IMO they all get hairline scratches but nothing a very light polish doesn't fix. It's a known fact gold is soft but a gold Rolex is pretty darn tough if you ask me.
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Old 30 April 2012, 03:32 PM   #9
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The SS is more durable, but the gold is beautiful!!
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Old 30 April 2012, 03:44 PM   #10
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In the day, Rolex began their gold watches with 9k gold in their cases since less material could produce a strong case - yet it was still "gold" per the law. Then they moved to 14k and finally 18k in a proprietary alloying formula.

But we all know that the SS cases take the prize vs gold in durability.

Now if you want to see something really hard - try Platinum!
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Old 30 April 2012, 03:47 PM   #11
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When I was younger I always liked the look of gold. Fell in love with platinum and haven't looked back. Anyone have a all platinum Rolex?
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Old 30 April 2012, 03:49 PM   #12
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Thanks!
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Old 30 April 2012, 04:32 PM   #13
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What a dumb thread. Of course gold is softer, and thus more prone to abuse and damage, than stainless steel....duh...
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Old 30 April 2012, 07:17 PM   #14
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Gold is a softer metal.

So naturally it's going to show a little more wear.
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Old 30 April 2012, 09:02 PM   #15
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Just tried on the latest AP ROO in 18KPG with 18KPG bracelet and was informed it weight a whooping 400+ grams!! My DD2 218206 weight only 280g or so.. I cannot imagine dropping that AP! Btw just in case you Are wondering about the MSRP, it is close to USD100K.
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Old 30 April 2012, 10:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by z32turbo View Post
Good advice.
+1

18K Gold is softer. Just have to be a bit more careful not to ding it up.
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Old 1 May 2012, 01:49 AM   #17
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Love gold Rolex. When it comes to vintage I would seek out 14Kt.
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Old 1 May 2012, 01:56 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jenniferjanef View Post
Just tried on the latest AP ROO in 18KPG with 18KPG bracelet and was informed it weight a whooping 400+ grams!! My DD2 218206 weight only 280g or so.. I cannot imagine dropping that AP! Btw just in case you Are wondering about the MSRP, it is close to USD100K.
I cannot imagine the damage you can cause when you drop a nearly 1/2 kg watch....I've dropped my 250 grams 18K YG DD and the damage was so severe....Just be very careful with that watch :))
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Old 1 May 2012, 02:00 AM   #19
A.Sharp
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Its true, gold is softer. Hang in there bud and enjoy. Get it serviced when the time comes, and be prepared to spend a little bit of money, and theyll get you looking like new. Until then, dont harp on it.
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Old 1 May 2012, 02:33 AM   #20
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I think what you're driving at it that gold watches don't really make good tool watches, at least now that there are steels that are extremely corrosion resistant.

If you're going to buy a watch and you know that your activities will be such that it will take a toll of the aesthetics of the watch, then SS is the best bet.

I'm not knocking the gold watches. It's just that they really aren't best suited for heavy duty.

I love this story.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...6&rev=&reveal=
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Old 1 May 2012, 02:55 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syahriltaher View Post
I cannot imagine the damage you can cause when you drop a nearly 1/2 kg watch....I've dropped my 250 grams 18K YG DD and the damage was so severe....Just be very careful with that watch :))
Yes but after the rebuild . . . . you got a damn nice DD !
Need to get a YG President for my 1810 . . . .

HAGM

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Old 1 May 2012, 04:36 AM   #22
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The SS is more durable, but the gold is beautiful!!
X2
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Old 1 May 2012, 04:42 AM   #23
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I dont own a gold watch only a exp 2, But if I could, I would buy one in a heart beat and I would treat it like a bomb that if dropped would go off.

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Old 1 May 2012, 04:52 AM   #24
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The number one rule to owning a good watch is to never put it on or off over anything but a carpeted floor, but better still from a seated position.
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Old 1 May 2012, 05:49 AM   #25
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Quote:
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The number one rule to owning a good watch is to never put it on or off over anything but a carpeted floor, but better still from a seated position.
Great rule! I will repeat this one out loud a few times, and hope to always remember it.
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Old 1 May 2012, 06:02 AM   #26
DoxaDavid
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I think what you're driving at it that gold watches don't really make good tool watches, at least now that there are steels that are extremely corrosion resistant.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...6&rev=&reveal=
His watch is a DD, not a tool watch so what I think he is saying is... DON'T DROP YOUR GOLD WATCH!
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Old 1 May 2012, 06:13 AM   #27
WhatTheDeuce
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Just curious, what were you doing where you would accidentally dropped several watches? It sounds like you are juggling with them.

Don't want to jinx myself, but I have never dropped a watch. Never put myself in a position where I could drop my watch.

Is this common?
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Old 1 May 2012, 12:46 PM   #28
syahriltaher
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Just curious, what were you doing where you would accidentally dropped several watches? It sounds like you are juggling with them.

Don't want to jinx myself, but I have never dropped a watch. Never put myself in a position where I could drop my watch.

Is this common?
Haha....I think I'm a careless guy....:) But on one ocassion, I remember my 4 years old daughter was playing around with my SS Cartier Panthere, and suddenly drop it on the tile....Because the watch is not too heavy, the damage was so minimum....you can hardly see the damage....
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Old 1 May 2012, 12:52 PM   #29
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Yes I agree gold does certainly wear much easier and quicker than its SS counterparts however there is nothing like placing an 18k Rolex on your wrist in the morning, IMHO it is well worth the tradeoff
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Old 1 May 2012, 01:32 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhatTheDeuce View Post
Just curious, what were you doing where you would accidentally dropped several watches? It sounds like you are juggling with them.

Don't want to jinx myself, but I have never dropped a watch. Never put myself in a position where I could drop my watch.

Is this common?
I had the same initial thought about the juggling. Too funny
I'd recommend that you invest in deployant buckles for your watches to prevent further slippery finger incidents
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