Flandad Gold Plating Comparison Photos

[Jimbothegreat]

GMF stock Day-Date (Left) vs 30 micron plating (Middle) vs Flandad 6 micron (Right)

Video link: https://imgur.com/a/95te7VY
Photos and video taken in the same order under shade: https://imgur.com/a/mlqyMWB

First watch in the video is Flandad plating.

This post was not made to bash or promote anyone. I only bought the watch from Flandad to make this comparison and not to wear it. One of the pictures shows a little blemish on Flan’s, not sure if it is plating failure. Last picture is taken from Flan’s post on RWI; left is gen and right is Flan plating.

Feel free to discuss any differences. Let’s try to not make pointless hate comments and have an educational discussion. What are your observations?

Feel free to ask for more photos.

 

[p0pperini]

I can’t actually determine any noticeable differences between these samples, mainly due to the harsh LED lighting.

 

[Jimbothegreat]

I can’t actually determine any noticeable differences between these samples, mainly due to the harsh LED lighting.

I will upload some pictures taken in the shade.

 

[Ladidadi]

Currently considering a gold-plate job on a non-rep, but am unsure where to take it so it doesn't get destroyed and I also get a good job done. Want it looking way less yellow than it currently is. Was considering Flan - lmk if you have other recommendations!

 

[Dave2302]

I'm not sure if it's photos, but initial reaction is they all look the same to me, and they all look shit

It reinforces my current position of not buying plated or wrapped, atm I have just one 2T Black Sub, might buy a bluesy, but certainly no more, and they won't see much wrist time either

 

[Dave2302]

lmk if you have other recommendations!

Yes, don't plate it

 

[Ladidadi]

Yes, don't plate it

hahaha I wish I could afford a solid 18k gold 6241 JPS PN Daytona, but alas I haven't sold enough lemonade at my stand to do so. Maybe I should pivot business strategy to kissing booth. Til then, it's a PVD gold plated homage for me.

 

[Dave2302]

I just think you will be disappointed, I have a fair selection of solid gold jewellery, and I love it, but on 2 occasions I have had good gold plated items, and they both ended up looking like the proverbial dogs breakfast. I also had a couple of plated watches in the 2000's, again they weren't the worst around, but they too didn't last.

 

[Jimbothegreat]

Here is a video of the playing process done in batches: https://imgur.com/a/Ghd24tO

 

[CutePinkKitty]

I can't tell the difference.....

 

[Reaps]

Gold plating only shows its worth in sunlight

 

[aHero]

Every plated watch I have from flan has blemishes.

 

[Vineetd23]

Do you keep getting them because otherwise they still look good?

 

[Raddave]

who did the 30 micron plating ?

 

[Raddave]

and how do you know the 30 micron is 30 micron and the 6 micron is 6 micron?


were the parts measured before and after , or we just taking someones word ?

 

[p0pperini]

I'm not sure if it's photos, but initial reaction is they all look the same to me, and they all look shit

You expressed exactly what I was alluding to in a less subtle way Dave. But, it's almost certainly the photos. I have a stock GMF/JDF FG Day-Date 40 and it's a very nice rep. The gold tone is really convincing - as opposed to some factories' terrible efforts I could mention <cough>VSF<cough>.

In fact the GMF gold tone is so good, I'd question why anyone would bother to re-plate one. It's only adding the thinnest additional film of coating to the rep and I don't see how a plater is going to achieve a "better" finish/colour/coating.

But, each to their own. And if I had another FG VSF, I wouldn't hesitate to get that sucker plated in order to prevent my retinas getting burned out when looking at it.

I have had good gold plated items, and they both ended up looking like the proverbial dogs breakfast.

And there's the rub (pun intended). Anything that's plated needs to be worn/handled with great care - and ideally only occasionally - to avoid the inevitable wear that'll turn them from lovely shiny jewels into hideous scuffed monsters.

Which is why mine only gets worn in the house, protected by the sleeve of my custom made alcantara lined jumper, and I only peek at it for 2 second intervals twice a day while standing in the middle of a room with the door closed and a no entry sign up.

 

[DiggerOfWatches]

Which is why mine only gets worn in the house, protected by the sleeve of my custom made alcantara lined jumper, and I only peek at it for 2 second intervals twice a day while standing in the middle of a room with the door closed and a no entry sign up.

Ah so I am not the only one

 

[Jimbothegreat]

who did the 30 micron plating ?

Someone in China. Done plenty of business with him. They offer 5, 15 and 30 microns. Also asked for videos of their plating process: https://imgur.com/a/Ghd24tO

 

[Dave2302]

Anything that's plated needs to be worn/handled with great care - and ideally only occasionally - to avoid the inevitable wear that'll turn them from lovely shiny jewels into hideous scuffed monsters.

Which is why mine only gets worn in the house, protected by the sleeve of my custom made alcantara lined jumper, and I only peek at it for 2 second intervals twice a day while standing in the middle of a room with the door closed and a no entry sign up.

This is exactly how I feel. When I first joined RWI I swore I would never buy another plated 2T let alone an all gold ........

But then I realised my cabinet looked bare, no UK stock of a 2T Bluesey, so I bought a 2T Black, which is a nice watch, but the black doesn't do it, so now there will have to be a 2T Bluesey and if a rep of that new release all gold blue Deepsea comes out I'm just gonna have to

But yeah, they will likely only get worn once or twice on very very special ocassions, "shelf queens"

Most of my collection hasn't actually been outta the house yet

 

[shyreplover]

I can hardly tell the difference between all three.
In my opinion, factory plating should be better as it is done using proper industrial equipment.... not some DIY using AAA battery.