We all know that precious metals and ordinary metals have certain differences in economic value, so we can understand the value gap between ordinary mechanical watches and precious metal mechanical watches. But for mechanical watches that are also precious metals, the price gap is so great that many friends have a black three-question mark in their hearts. What caused the price difference? In fact, this has something to do with the history of clocks and watches.
We know that clocks and watches were originally made of iron, but the smelting technology was very backward, which made fine steel strong, so stainless steel was one of the precious metals at that time. Today, not only the smelting technology has kept pace, but also more precious metals have been discovered, which has gradually become the value system of precious metals today. First of all, we should know that not all precious metals used can be used to make mechanical watches. There are four kinds of precious metals commonly used to make mechanical watches. The value of watches made of it also varies greatly (palladium->; 950 platinum->; 18K gold and platinum).
It can be said that gold has been used for a long time in human history, leaving a luxurious and expensive mark in people's hearts. Even today, many friends like gold products, including high-end mechanical watches. But the gold used for making mechanical watches is different from the gold used for money. Because pure gold is too soft, it is not suitable for making articles alone. However, it is necessary to add some other metals to enhance its hardness.
So the gold mechanical watch we are talking about is made of 18K gold (including 75% gold). The same is true of 18K platinum, which is also gold in essence, except that 3% silver, 9.5% copper and 12.5% palladium are added. In addition, the "platinum" we often hear in jewelry stores is not 18K platinum, but platinum.
The stock of platinum watchcases is less than that of gold, so the price of mechanical watches made of platinum is often higher than that of gold watches, which is also a commemorative watch of this brand or a first-come-first-served watch.
At the same time, in addition to the white metallic luster of 18K platinum and platinum, there is palladium, which is known as the king of precious metals. I believe this precious metal material will be a little strange to us, because it is even rarer than platinum and is rarely used in life. But its performance is better than platinum, which is not only oxidation-resistant, corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant and high temperature-resistant, but also has a brighter metallic luster than platinum, and is generally used by the world's top luxury watch brands to make watch cases.
Finally, I would like to share with you that not all watches with precious metal luster or composition are precious metal watches, because some manufacturers will electroplate ordinary metal materials to cater to the aesthetics or preferences of the public, so as to achieve the appearance effect of precious metal mechanical watches. However, the gold-plated mechanical watch is very afraid of wear and tear, and once it is worn, it cannot be restored to its original appearance. This is why the value of gold-plated watches does not have the collection value of precious metal watches.