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Why do some watches experience case fading after wearing for a period? This not only affects the watch's appearance but also leaves many customers puzzled.
Today, we will learn about watch case coatings. We will also discuss why they might change color. Knowing about these techniques can be useful when selecting and maintaining watches.
Primarily two methods of watch case coating are chemical plating and electroplating. Chemical plating is an electroplating method that does not rely on electric current. Chemical reactions apply a metal layer to the watch surface, suitable for difficult or intricate areas.
While chemical plating can offer decorative effects, its control over color and gloss may not match electroplating. Therefore, most watches on the market today primarily use electroplating for coating.
What is electroplating?
Electroplating is a process used to make watches look better, last longer, and protect them.it is the process of adding a metal layer to another metal surface. People do this to make the surface more resistant to corrosion, harder, or to improve its appearance.
Electroplating techniques for watches mainly include vacuum deposition and water plating. Water plating, also known as traditional electroplating, is a common method.
4 Main Plating Ways:
Water plating (also a traditional plating method):
This is a method of depositing metal on the surface of a watch through the principle of electrolysis.
During electroplating, the plated metal acts as the anode, while the watch to be plated acts as the cathode. Both are immersed in an electroplating solution containing the metal cations for the plating. With the use of direct current, the metal ions are reduced on the surface of the watch to form the plated layer.
◉PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition):
This is a technique for depositing thin metal films using physical methods in a vacuum environment. PVD technology can provide watches with wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coatings, and it can create various surface effects in different colors.
◉DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon):
DLC is a material similar to diamond carbon, with extremely high hardness and wear resistance. Through DLC plating, the watch surface can obtain a protective layer similar to diamond.
◉IP (Ion Plating):
IP, short for Ion Plating, is essentially a more detailed division of the aforementioned PVD technology. It typically involves three methods: vacuum evaporation, sputtering, and ion plating. Among them, ion plating is considered the best technique in terms of adhesion and durability.
The thin layer formed by this plating technique is almost imperceptible and does not significantly affect the thickness of the watch case. However, the main drawback is the difficulty in evenly distributing the thickness of the layer. Nevertheless, it still demonstrates significant benefits before and after plating. For example, the skin-friendly nature of the IP-plated watch case is superior to that of pure stainless steel material, reducing discomfort for the wearer.
The main technique used by Naviforce watches is Environmental Vacuum Ion Plating. The coating process happens in a vacuum, so there is no waste discharge or use of harmful substances like cyanides. This makes it an eco-friendly and sustainable technology. In addition, people prefer environmentally friendly and harmless coating materials.
Apart from enhancing aesthetics, vacuum ion plating also improves the watch's scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, and prolongs its lifespan. Eco-friendly vacuum ion plating is popular in watch industry for being environmentally friendly, efficient, and improving product performance.
Causes of Fading in Plating Techniques
Naviforce watches can keep their color for more than 2 years. However, how you wear them and the environment can affect how long the color lasts. Factors such as daily wear and tear, Factors like daily use, exposure to acid or strong sun, can speed up how long plating lasts.
How to Extend the Color Protection Period for Plating?
1. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance: Clean your watch regularly with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Avoid using harsh tools to prevent damage to the surface of the watch case.
2. Avoid Contact with Acidic: Avoid contact with acidic or alkaline substances like cosmetics and perfumes as they can harm the coating. Additionally, prolonged exposure to sweat, seawater, and other salty liquids can also accelerate fading.
3.Pay Attention to Wearing Environment: To protect the coating, avoid wearing the watch during intense activities or work, and minimize exposure to direct sunlight, as these factors can impact the coating's durability.
Above is Naviforce's explanation of watch color fading reasons and related plating techniques issues. Naviforce specializes in wholesale watches and customized OEM/ODM manufacturing, catering to diverse customer needs for brand and enterprise product customization. If you have any questions or requirements, please feel free to contact us.
Post time: Jun-24-2024
