DNA of a Watch (Part II)

Materials Used by Watch Maker
A variety of materials are used to make a watch.  Some of the most common and cost effective materials available in the market are stainless steel, plastic, mineral glass.  At the other end of the market segment we have luxury watch maker making use of some of the most precious materials like gold and diamond etc in their watches. Below is a list of materials used by watch maker and the characteristic.

Stainless Steel
An extremely durable alloy of steel and chromium that can be polished to resemble a precious metal and is virtually immune to rust, discoloration and corrosion.  Most watch maker using Stainless Steel for their watch case will make use of 316L.  However, Rolex is one of the few watch maker than make use of 914L grade steel which is 3 times tougher than the industry norm of 316L. 

Titanium
Titanium is a metallic element found in the earth’s crust. It is 30% stronger and 50% lighter than steel. Titanium watches are particularly durable, resisting corrosion, especially salt water corrosion. It is hypoallergenic and nickel-free and due to its lightness very comfortable to wear.

Gold
A valuable, soft, yellow, corrosion resistant element, the most pliable metal and yet one of the heaviest substances known. It is too soft in its pure form so it is therefore mixed with other metals to produce an alloy; the proportion of gold in alloys is described in carats. A carat is 1/24, that is 1 part in 24 by weight. 18 carat is therefore 18/24 or 3/4 gold.

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