Watch Materials

Stainless Steel

A very popular watchmaking material, stainless steel is made from an alloy of iron that contains carbon, chromium and nickel.

Properties

• Lightweight
• Cost effective
• Resistant to corrosion

Other uses

Stainless steel is used in monuments, automobiles, surgical instruments and aerospace structures.

Ceramic

Ceramics are non-metallic materials made out of zirconium oxide through a process that requires alternate cycle of heating and cooling.

Properties

• Lightweight and scratch resistant
• Smooth
• Can be produced in several shades

Other uses

Heat shields in space crafts and jet engines.

Titanium

Titanium used in watches is the element allowed with aluminum, iron, molybdenum and vanadium.

Properties

• Dent free and durable
• Non-allergenic
• High strength-weight ratio

Other uses

Naval vessels, medical instruments, aerospace industry and performance testing.

Carbon Fiber

When carbon is decomposed and braided into fibers, surrounded by resin, then carbon fiber is formed.

Properties

• Lightweight and classic look
• Hard

Other uses

Aeronautic industry, military and medical instruments.

Diamond Like Carbon

Carbon with a coating that induces properties similar to diamond

Properties

• Super-hard with very strong resistance in the face of scratches
• Slick
• Can absorb dents without physical deformation

Other uses

Modern motorbikes, racing cars and aeronautics.

Physical Vapor Deposition

This is steel that has been coated with oxides, nitrides and carbides through ionic attraction.

Properties

• Reduced friction
• Strong

Other uses

Military and automobile industry.

Gold

This is a material whose fineness and purity is given in karats. 18 karats mean 75 percent purity, and is a widely established standard for gold in watches as well as jewelry.
The remaining 25 percent is copper & silver and mainly included to give the material some strong physical meaning.

Yellow Gold

This is pure gold alloyed with some metals.

White Gold

This is gold alloyed with palladium, silver or rhodium.

Rose Gold

This is gold with traces of copper. Increase in the percentage of copper gives the gold an increasingly dark hue.
A small amount of zinc or silver may also be added to vary the shade.

Rubber/Silicone

This is a material made with silicon, rubber, hydrogen, oxygen and copper.

• Resistant to temperature changes
• Repels water
• Has a high-grade feel to it

Other uses

Electronics, automobiles, medical equipment and food.