A Touch of Gold
October - November 2010
Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronograph
44 millimeters
Rose gold case
Leather strap
CALATRAVA
Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronograph
18-karat white gold case
Hand-stitched alligator strap
Annual calendar function
$38,600
GALACTIC 30
Steel and rose gold Solar bronze dial on an integrated steel and rose gold pilot bracelet
$7,065
CLASS ONE
33 millimeters
18-karat pink gold and stainless steel
Diamond markers
Marron glace rubber strap
42 millimeters
18-karat white gold case
Silvered brushed dial
18-karat white gold folding clasp
Black hand-stitched alligator leather strap
Wear the Element of Royalty this Fall
ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED ELEMENTS ON THE PERIODIC TABLE, Gold (Au) shares the transition metal category with other prized metals, such as Platinum (Pt) and Silver (Ag). And while each has found its way to the workshops of watchmakers throughout the world, gold has historically remained one of the most sought-after metals.
In its purest, 24-karat form (dense, soft and shiny), gold is bright yellow and retains its color without oxidizing in air or water.
A symbol of wealth since the dawn of history, gold also is prized because it can contain other alloy metals that cause color variations and differences in hardness. In fact, gold needs to be combined with other metals because alone it is very malleable.
Rose (pink or red) gold is created by adding copper and silver to the compound. White gold is created when at least one white metal – usually nickel, maganese or palladium – is added to the mix.
The karat grade in all types (yellow, white and rose) is determined by the quantity of alloy contained in the gold: 18 karats contains 18 parts of gold, making it 75 percent gold.
These well-calculated percentages make gold as fascinating as it is precious; for those who collect this element, it’s the gold standard.
