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Main Forums => General Discussion - Modern Watches => Topic started by: Watchnewby on September 05, 2011, 07:56:33 AM

Title: Decoration In Watch Movement
Post by: Watchnewby on September 05, 2011, 07:56:33 AM

I read about the watch movement (watch "engine" for the laymans) decoration and would like to share the followings :

There are different types of finish or decorations that is found on the watch movement. (Accompanying pictures extracted from ETA, the movement maker)
1) The Vrac - it is the electroplating of the movement to provide some form of protection rather as a finish or decoration. The movement is plated with either nickel (cheapest), gold) or Rhodium (the most expensive).

2) Flat matte finish - as the name implies, this finish is matte and looks unfinished and is the most basic of finish available in most watch movements.

3) Flat Brush Finish - this finish is achieved by brushing the finish is a single direction. (Not sure if it is the same as Adoucie)

4) Adoucie - a form of polishing that is either linear or circular and was achieved with the use of abrasive paper.

5) Colimaçonnée - or Colimaçon (snalling or spiralling); like its namesake, snalling is a decorative finish which takes the form of curved lines orginating from a common center, much like a snail's shell.

Title: Re: Decoration In Watch Movement
Post by: Peiseh on September 05, 2011, 08:49:18 AM

Sometimes the engine manufacturers just produces and supply plain unfinished movements to watch brands.
And to add refinement and value to the watch, these non-movement maker refines them, add on their creativeness in the movements and also add on a touch of art too in it..eg.EPOS.

The more complicated the art work, the more expensive the watch is as its mostly labor intensive..

thanks for sharing..watchnewby.

Title: Re: Decoration In Watch Movement
Post by: Watchnewby on September 05, 2011, 04:03:26 PM

Yes, some like Epos or Panerei have their name etched on the rotor arm or even the whole movement surface.

Thanks for reading, peiseh.

Title: Re: Decoration In Watch Movement
Post by: ck77 on September 05, 2011, 04:20:25 PM

Quote from: Watchnewby on September 05, 2011, 04:03:26 PM

Yes, some like Epos or Panerei have their name etched on the rotor arm or even the whole movement surface.

Thanks for reading, peiseh.

IIRC, for Panerai, only G series and prior having their name etched on the movement bridge.
After that only côtes de Genève decoration.
Correct me if am wrong.