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520lux · 11 June 2016, 07:48 AM

I searched but didn't find any answers so here goes. Do Gold polished center links scratch easier than stainless polished center links? I would assume they scratch equal but, it was brought to my attention that since gold is softer it will scratch faster and easier.

Any ideas?

roadie1 · 11 June 2016, 11:03 AM

Yep

michigan.watches · 11 June 2016, 11:31 AM

Gold is indeed softer than stainless steel. Rolex is no exception to this.

520lux · 11 June 2016, 12:29 PM

So for those that have both Gold PCL and Stainless PCL have you noticed your gold PCL scratch faster or get swirls faster?

handsfull · 11 June 2016, 01:52 PM

Yes, much faster.

BNA/LION · 11 June 2016, 05:22 PM

Yep! Wear them the same and enjoy then as equals. IMHO

brookish · 11 June 2016, 05:27 PM

They scratch by just looking at it

malarky_hk · 11 June 2016, 07:40 PM

Gold PCLs are scratch magnets!

joli160 · 12 June 2016, 01:27 AM

No difference between gold and SS PCL's. Use both as daily beaters and absolutely prefer PCL over brushed

joli160 · 12 June 2016, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michigan.watches

Gold is indeed softer than stainless steel. Rolex is no exception to this.

True if you talk about pure gold. Modern Rolex gold is however only 18K and consists out of 75% gold mixed with 25% alloys of other various metals i.e. a certain percentage of nickel which in turn is much harder than steel.
This is done to create more hardness as a pure gold watch would easily deform. Afterwards temperature annealing for surface hardening as generally for most gold jewellery is applied.
The combination of these two processes makes Rolex gold pretty durable and possibly as hard as steel.

handsfull · 12 June 2016, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joli160

True if you talk about pure gold. Modern Rolex gold is however only 18K and consists out of 75% gold mixed with 25% alloys of other various metals i.e. a certain percentage of nickel which in turn is much harder than steel.
This is done to create more hardness as a pure gold watch would easily deform. Afterwards temperature annealing for surface hardening as generally for most gold jewellery is applied.
The combination of these two processes makes Rolex gold pretty durable and possibly as hard as steel.

Sorry, but that's false. Gold won't be even close to steel in terms of hardness, nor will it reject scratches (superficial/hairlines or deep) like any stainless.

In my personal experience with Rolex gold, I've found using an improper cloth (even a napkin) to wipe the PCL portion of the bracelet = it will impart scratches. YMMV.

joli160 · 12 June 2016, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handsfull

Sorry, but that's false. Gold won't be even close to steel in terms of hardness, nor will it reject scratches (superficial/hairlines or deep) like any stainless.

In my personal experience with Rolex gold, I've found using an improper cloth (even a napkin) to wipe the PCL portion of the bracelet = it will impart scratches. YMMV.

Typically an alloy of 18K gold measures a hardness on Vickers scale between 85-125 against ordinary stainless steel 155.
When annealed 18K gold surprisingly can reach a hardness on Vickers between 185-230 which is quite a lot higher than ordinary stainless steel.
Since nobody knows which exact treatment our Rolex watches receive I used the term possibly.
All PCL's regardless SS or gold show of course much more signs of wear if compared to a brushed bracelet, but I don't see noticeable differences between my SS or gold PCL's.

handsfull · 12 June 2016, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joli160

Typically an alloy of 18K gold measures a hardness on Vickers scale between 85-125 against ordinary stainless steel 155.
When annealed 18K gold surprisingly can reach a hardness on Vickers between 185-230 which is quite a lot higher than ordinary stainless steel.
Since nobody knows which exact treatment our Rolex watches receive I used the term possibly.
All PCL's regardless SS or gold show of course much more signs of wear if compared to a brushed bracelet, but I don't see noticeable differences between my SS or gold PCL's.

The difference between 85-125 to 185-230 vickers isn't much....although the numbers make it look as if it is. To put it in perspective 904L stainless is around 500-1000 vickers.

520lux · 12 June 2016, 04:36 PM

Thanks for responses. Yeah either way I know they both get scratches something to take from this thread is to use a proper cloth when wiping down the watch. Cant use a t-shirt when cleaning gold PCLS thats for sure.

11 June 2016, 07:48 AM	#1
520lux "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: AZ Posts: 584	Polished Center Links SS vs Gold I searched but didn't find any answers so here goes. Do Gold polished center links scratch easier than stainless polished center links? I would assume they scratch equal but, it was brought to my attention that since gold is softer it will scratch faster and easier. Any ideas?

11 June 2016, 05:22 PM	#6
BNA/LION 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,225	Yep! Wear them the same and enjoy then as equals. IMHO __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

11 June 2016, 05:27 PM	#7
brookish "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Europe Watch: Rolex Deep Blue Posts: 316	They scratch by just looking at it __________________ __________________ Current collection: Rolex Sea-Dweller, Rolex Deepsea D-blue, Rolex 116613LB, Rolex Explorer II (black), Omega Speedmaster SS, IWC Ingenieur Chrono, Panerai PAM127, Panerai PAM328, Panerai PAM629, Panerai PAM217, Panerai PAM339, Panerai PAM341, Panerai PAM605, Panerai PAM376

12 June 2016, 01:27 AM	#9
joli160 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,377	No difference between gold and SS PCL's. Use both as daily beaters and absolutely prefer PCL over brushed __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

11 June 2016, 11:03 AM	#2
roadie1 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southeast Watch: Divers, GMT Posts: 2,144	Yep

11 June 2016, 11:31 AM	#3
michigan.watches "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 586	Gold is indeed softer than stainless steel. Rolex is no exception to this.

11 June 2016, 12:29 PM	#4
520lux "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: AZ Posts: 584	So for those that have both Gold PCL and Stainless PCL have you noticed your gold PCL scratch faster or get swirls faster?

11 June 2016, 01:52 PM	#5
handsfull "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: J Location: The great Midwest Watch: youlookinat? Posts: 2,369	Yes, much faster.

11 June 2016, 07:40 PM	#8
malarky_hk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: ... Watch: Rolex Posts: 4,466	Gold PCLs are scratch magnets!

12 June 2016, 04:36 PM	#14
520lux "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: AZ Posts: 584	Thanks for responses. Yeah either way I know they both get scratches something to take from this thread is to use a proper cloth when wiping down the watch. Cant use a t-shirt when cleaning gold PCLS thats for sure.

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