SURFACE TREATMENTS
Decoration, finishing and surface treatments are largely entirely optional steps that technically rarely add value to the precision but are sought after among watch enthusiasts. It is in this work that one can recognize different qualities of watchmaking. Some go so far as to decorate the hidden sides of the mechanism of their timepieces.
CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
One of the main chemical treatments used in watchmaking consists of depositing one material on another, for example rhodium on brass, through electrolysis. This process is also called electroplating. This process often aims to protect a material from oxidation by using a stainless material. Other chemical treatments exist but are more confidential.
HEAT TREATMENTS
Heat treatments are used in watchmaking and mainly on steel. This is done for technical reasons by hardening it through tempering and also often afterwards by tempering to give it back some flexibility. Tempering is also used for aesthetic reasons, for example on blue tempered steel hands.
THE GILDING
Gilding is the application of a layer of gold on a part, commonly called "gold plating".
RHODIUM-PLATING
Rhodium-plating is the application of a layer of rhodium for various purposes.
SAND-BLASTING AND SHOT-BLASTING
With the use of a sand or bead blasting machine, a neutral and matte surface is achieved.
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