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Yea so unfortunately you got a bad batch.
So ill explain it further since that wrapped guide is very outdated and not correct in its information about replicas.
So the regular plated version of replicas are TiN PVD deposited pieces. Titanium nitride is darker yellow and can be that orange tint you sometimes see in Replicas e.g. VSF 116613 and usually needs carbon parameters played with in order to get a proper gold colour. You can even get Rose gold.
These "wrapped" versions are ZrN PVD deposited. When you see these replicas that look more like Champagne in appearance it's ZrN, which people say it's more gold like in appearance which I kinda see as well..... however they should be done CVD deposited because they claim in their description it's thicker plating right. CVD is for a thicker deposit and PVD is thinner.
Cost wise, the ZrN is more expensive than TiN and more durable.
For your issue. 2 things... Cracking occurs when the TiN/ ZrN is applied too thick and not deposited properly. Personally I don't think factory's will take the time to actually apply it too thick.
The other thing which I believe applies to you and 90% of PVD problems is the watch needs to be very very clean before or it will have adhesion issues as well as an electroplated layer finish. TiN or ZrN will attack the stainless steel if not sealed properly. If the seal is broken you get your cracks and corrosion on your SS like your pictures.
I think you got unlucky unfortunately because these replicas will always outlast real gold plating.
The best plated watches ever were the Seiko watches. They were the first to use PVD deposited TiN and real gold in the vacuum chamber. The TiN since porous would trap the real gold in the valleys and protect it from wear. The real gold would wear off on the top of course like any gold plating but the real gold was trapped at the bottom. Once the real gold wears off the bottom you STILL have the TiN left which looks like gold.
That was very informative, thanks for sharing your knowledge, i agree on second possibility for my issue. There were some blisters before cracking at same places.
I'll stay away from gold BP products (steel ones are good) - this was the reason i'm a little biased on wrapped reps from chinese factories.