What Watches are Made of?

Article Written By: Find Watches

Gold is a material not often used for watches. There are two main reasons for this; firstly that it is an expensive material, secondly that it is the softest of all the metals. Gold watches are dress watches, normally purchased for special occasions and are not suitable for everyday wear. One advantage is that gold has an intrinsic value. If it can no longer be worn the gold still has a value according to its weight. If you want something more usable you can opt for a gold plated one. These have the same lustrous colour but come at a fraction of the price. New technology in this field means that instead of layering the gold on top of the base metal it is now infused into it (by a process known as Physical Vapour Deposition or P.V.D.). This results in a more even spread of colour and longer lasting cover.

Silver is a luxury item that retains its value. It is a malleable substance which is why it is used so frequently in jewellery. Silver watches will be more durable than gold ones but have the disadvantage that they tarnish more easily. Although this can be rectified by regular cleaning.

Titanium is a lightweight and exceptionally durable material. It has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. Anything that is worn on the wrist is likely to take a lot of damage over it's life, so titanium is an ideal material to make a watch out of. The downside is that it is an expensive material compared to stainless steel, so the cost is often considered prohibitive.

Stainless Steel is the most common of all metals used in the construction of watches. It is strong, resistant to most forms of corrosion and does not easily stain. This combined with its bright colouring make it an ideal metal to use in watch making. It is frequently used for cases and is a relatively cheap option.

Watches with resin straps are normally designed for serious outdoor use. They are really tough and have the advantage of being both lightweight and water resistant, protecting the delicate workings.

Leather is used to make straps because it is inexpensive, compared to the other products. It also allows for customisation! Leather can be dyed any colour. Due to the predominant use of buckles as a fastening, leather straps can be made one length and easily adjusted to fit a number of different sized wrists. The downside is that they are nowhere near as long lasting as metal straps, and they can get stained fairly easily. They have the advantage of being made from a soft natural fabric, so most people find that they are comfortable to wear.

Webbing straps are generally the cheapest of the straps on the market. They are commonly made from nylon. They are fairly durable and normally water resistant.

About the Author

Find Watches is an on line watches shop. You will find a range of watches for men women and children at low prices and great service.

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