I'm a serial builder of custom watches. I built this watch using a ETA 2824-2 that I modified to remove the ghost position. Then later swapped out that movement for a La Joux-Perret G101 movement with 68 hour power reserve. I used a Bliger case and Clark crystal for the build (and it passed a 200M pressure test).
I love this build, and was going to wear it as a daily beater, but I just can't get past the color of the gold PVD plating on the Bliger case. It just screams "cheap fake gold plating". The satin portions on the lugs look ok, but the polished portions just look fake and awful.
To remedy that, I bought the same case in stainless steel with a view to having it plated in yellow gold. I know plating takes on the finish of the surface underneath, so I brushed out the polished portions of the case, then buffed them to a satin finish to avoid overly polished looking surfaces that look fake.
I got quoted two prices for plating the case. $270 plus $15 shipping to have flandad plate it. $400 plus shipping to have it plated by the Time Preserve.
I know flan dad's service doesn't actually have any precious metal content, but the "nano coating" is supposed to give some added durability. The Time Preserve is an electroplating process with some traces of precious metals and is also supposed to be hard and durable.
Since this is a custom build not a rep I couldn't care less about accuracy to any gen. I just want a good looking and durable finish that doesn't look like fake gold. With that in mind, is the Time Preserve service worth the big cost increase over flandad if all I'm looking for is a beater that doesn't scream "cheap fake gold plating"?
I love this build, and was going to wear it as a daily beater, but I just can't get past the color of the gold PVD plating on the Bliger case. It just screams "cheap fake gold plating". The satin portions on the lugs look ok, but the polished portions just look fake and awful.
To remedy that, I bought the same case in stainless steel with a view to having it plated in yellow gold. I know plating takes on the finish of the surface underneath, so I brushed out the polished portions of the case, then buffed them to a satin finish to avoid overly polished looking surfaces that look fake.
I got quoted two prices for plating the case. $270 plus $15 shipping to have flandad plate it. $400 plus shipping to have it plated by the Time Preserve.
I know flan dad's service doesn't actually have any precious metal content, but the "nano coating" is supposed to give some added durability. The Time Preserve is an electroplating process with some traces of precious metals and is also supposed to be hard and durable.
Since this is a custom build not a rep I couldn't care less about accuracy to any gen. I just want a good looking and durable finish that doesn't look like fake gold. With that in mind, is the Time Preserve service worth the big cost increase over flandad if all I'm looking for is a beater that doesn't scream "cheap fake gold plating"?
