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.
GILDING
Gilding consists in applying a layer of gold on another metal.
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.
BECOME A CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR
HOROPEDIA is a participative knowledge platform and we invite all those who wish to contribute to this adventure of sharing watchmaking knowledge to join us.
It can be additional explanations, images or other illustrations or terms not yet identified that deserve to be.