These 6 non-precious metal watch materials, you must know - 1 views
started by kbojezhang44 on 13 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 13 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 13 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 13 May 20
The case can protect the internal parts of the watch, such as the movement, dial, hands, etc., its importance is self-evident. With the development of the watchmaking industry, the materials of the case are becoming more and more diverse, and it is no longer just precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. Other materials are also used to make the case, and each has its own characteristics. You must know these 6 non-precious metal watch materials.
stainless steel
Some brands of stainless steel case are also called stainless steel case, they are the same, no difference. No one should know this material. It is also the most common material in watch cases. Almost all brands have steel watches, but some top luxury brands have fewer steel watches. Generally speaking, stainless steel watches are mostly made of 316L steel, while most domestic watches are made of 304 stainless steel. 316 stainless steel is the case material of mid-to-high-end watches. Because it contains molybdenum, it is more corrosion-resistant than 304, with a higher grade and a higher price than 304 steel. In addition, Rolex's steel watches are unique, using more rigid and wear-resistant No. 904 steel, becoming a wonderful flower in the watch industry.
ceramics
The history of man-made ceramics is quite long, and it can be said to be one of mankind's oldest production technologies. Unlike traditional ceramics, the high-tech ceramics used in ceramic watches go through a more precise preparation process. The main component is zirconia, which is smooth, wear-resistant, and does not hurt the skin. It can be said to be the most popular one among non-metallic watches, such as the once-popular radar watch and the current trendy Chanel J12. Compared with stainless steel watches, the weight of ceramic watches is reduced by about 60%, its hardness is about 10 times that of stainless steel, and it has good corrosion resistance and heat resistance. It has high hardness, is not easy to wear, and never fades or damages. The skin's advantages, and a strong sense of fashion, are popular among trendy people. Some people think that ceramic watches are more durable. In fact, they are only wear-resistant, and scratches are not easy to appear. However, due to their high hardness, ceramic watches are very fragile.
titanium
There was a long time when people thought that titanium metal was a rare precious metal, but in fact titanium reserves are quite rich, ranking seventh in the ranking of metals. Titanium, like ceramics, is very light and 50% lighter than steel. And in terms of durability, it is better than the previous materials, not only not easy to scratch, but also not afraid of falling like ceramics. The only shortcoming is that once it is knocked, it cannot be polished and recovered, and the long-term maintenance cost is high. There is also a branch of the titanium metal case, which is the titanium alloy case, which not only has the characteristics of light and durable titanium, but also has a smooth and bright color like stainless steel. Titanium watches have also become more and more popular in the past two years, and many big names have used titanium in their classic watches.
carbon fiber
Carbon fiber material is lighter than titanium, harder than titanium, and has unparalleled toughness. In recent years, it has been more and more widely used in watchmaking. Carbon fiber is black, and the unique black color is very avant-garde, very popular with some men. Most of the products currently on the market are made of solid-phase carbonization of polypropylene fibers. The production process can be roughly divided into pre-curing, carbonization, graphitization and other steps. The carbon content of the finished product is basically above 90%. Watches using carbon fiber cases are mostly related to speed and movement. For example, engineers from IWC are carbon fiber watches launched in cooperation with F1; TAG Heuer's carbon composite concept chronograph is also its racing series-Calera series.
bronze
In recent years, retro styles have become popular in various fields. Bronze is such a retro-use material. Bronze has the characteristics of low melting point, high hardness, strong plasticity, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. It is suitable for casting various appliances, mechanical parts, bearings, etc. One of the characteristics of bronze watches is the color, and the simple and mysterious feeling is fascinating. The most interesting thing is that the bronze watch can also accompany you to play the "face-changing" game. Place the bronze watch in different environments (or liquids), it will show different colors, and you can restore it in another environment. Although more and more brands are trying to electrocut bronze watches, they still belong to the "niche" category as a whole.
plastic
I put plastic at the end because it sounds a bit low. However, although the brands of watches with plastic cases are not very high-end, they are rich in color, durable, and cheap, which is a must-have for young watch lovers. The most typical ones are Swatch and Casio. Many watches are made of plastic, but they have a distinctive design and are very popular among young people. However, plastic watches will have problems such as discoloration after long-term use, and can only be regarded as "quick consumer goods" in watches.
The above 6 are the most common non-precious metal watch materials. In fact, there are many strange materials that are also used to make watches, such as glass. However, if you wear it everyday, it is still "normal".