What are the various types of striking gold used by the watchmaking industry? Why isn’t every watchmaker creating their shade of gold?
Everose Silver
What’s Everose Gold? Rolex’s exclusive hue of rose-gold
2005 was a year when Rolex decided that rose gold was a hot trend. They created a patent formula using their in-house foundry to make Everose (r).
Rolex’s gold is unique because they have a secret recipe for every precious metal alloy they make. Copper is the metal used to enhance the gold’s redness.
Watchmakers may find it difficult to use copper because of its unique properties. Two things can cause copper to oxidize and discolor. The copper can react even when exposed to elements like salty ocean water or the sun’s ultraviolet radiations. The copper in the metal can also react to sweat.
Rolex’s Everose (r) gold is an alloy made from gold, copper, and a little platinum. Ratios are not disclosed. Why Platinum? It bonds the alloy and protects it from discoloration. It gives any Rolex made of gold the luster they have come to love.
Sedna(TM) Gold
What’s Sedna Gold? Omega’s proprietary rose gold.
The Omega Constellation Sedna (TM), a popular Swiss watchmaker, has used their patent Sedna(TM). This proprietary alloy was first used in 2013’s Omega Constellation Sedna (TM). Sedna(TM), similar to Rolex’s Everose (r) gold, is an 18kt yellow gold that combines Gold and Copper to preserve the metal’s luster. Sedna is the third element in Omega’s case.
Why did Omega choose Sedna to name its alloy?
Sedna is the name of a reddish planetoid located in the outer reaches of our solar system. Sedna is also the Inuktitut title for an Inuit mythological sea goddess and marine animal, also known as “mother” or “mistress” of the ocean. They can pair their Sedna alloy with the Omega Constellation and the first Sedna watch Omega made. It often featured an image of a space observatory. These are two of their most recognizable watch collections. These include the Omega Speedmaster, famous for its Moonwatch, which was used in numerous NASA missions, including the 1969 original moon landing. Another favorite is the Omega Seamaster. Their branding department probably chose the name Sedna very carefully.
Honey Gold
What’s Honey Gold?
The top-of-the-line German watchmaker uses Honey Gold, a proprietary gold they have created. It has a distinctive hue that is slightly rosy. They keep the formula secret, just like Rolex. However, we know that it is much harder than Platinum and has existed since 2010. Lange says it is extremely difficult to make and finish watches made from this precious alloy. They use Honey Gold only on the most exclusive models.
Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Sohne said that working with this material was one of their biggest challenges. Platinum is more difficult to work with and is only used in the most exceptional pieces. Although Platinum is less expensive than gold, it is more costly to work with. Honey Gold is just as difficult to use and more difficult to work with than Platinum, making it even more expensive.
Magic Gold
What is Magic Gold? Hublot’s secret golden and ceramic fusion alloy.
Hublot’s focus is on fusion and the creation of new materials. It should not be surprising that they have also developed high-tech gold. After two years of R&D with an EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) research institute and university, the first high-tech gold alloy was created. They call it Magic Gold. It’s magic!
This bronze-colored gold alloy is being called the first and only 18kt. The gold alloy is not scratch-resistant but scratch-proof. It means that the watch material and its finish are virtually indestructible.
