Gold link and sandpaper experiment

[sean.d]

I recently purchased a watch with a tt bracelet after reviewing it i was asked by a member how long i thought the gold would last. Well needless to say i could not answer that question.
After sizing the bracelet i had two spare links, so i decided to conduct an experiment. I sanded the back side of a link with a fine sandpaper giving special attention to the edges and the round. After rubbing for over two minutes vigorously i still see only Gold with no real difference apart from the scratching. Surprisingly the gold stands up very well

Here are a few pics of my findings.

 

[trailboss99]

Interesting. Wraped I asume not plated?
What grade of paper?


Col.

 

[Spirit]

...Is it from a Ceramic GMT-Master II in TT?

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[PecMan]

and when the gold wears off can u do something about it? re plated? :roll:

 

[sean.d]

@spirit, its from a ladies ym
@trailboss, it was fine grade. rough would have been to big a grain for the small size i thought.

 

[fakemaster]

Did you sand the top?

 

[R2D4]

Maybe it's Brass.

 

[sean.d]

Did you sand the top?

No didn't sand the top fakey, just incase the wifes arms start growing ......lol

brass..R2..maybe..lol

 

[russtang]

Maybe it's Brass.

+1 Sure looks like brass to me...

 

[KBH]

Just looking at the picture you can see it's either solid gold or brass. And we all know it's not solid gold.

 

[mbjoer]

Unlikely to be brass as it tarnishes quickly. Unless polished regularly it will turn black.

 

[bblake]

I think it's very likely to be a brass type alloy. These alloys are often gold plated in the knowledge that when the plating wears off in places, it will not show as obviously or as quickly.
I'm a jeweler, and I know there is no way that even a very thick plating could stand up to that kind of sanding. BTW some modern "muck metals" do not tarnish nearly as quickly as standard brass.

 

[desmoquattro]

I'd honestly prefer a nice brass to some cheesy plating... I hate gold plate on any watch, rep or not. It's always going to wear off no matter how well you take care of it.

Bring back rolled gold I say!