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Is this a solid rose gold and SS case ?

  1. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Sep 26, 2019

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    I suspect that both the lugs and bezel are indeed solid gold.

    Here is a LeCoultre I own which is the reverse, a solid gold case with steel lugs and back. It's a LECoultre case, but there is no indication as to gold content, but the weight and softness of the main case demonstrate that it is very likely solid gold.

    IMG_3732.jpg
     
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  2. bgrisso Sep 26, 2019

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    Wow great case! Looks like amazing dial, can we see the front ?
     
  3. Carlton-Browne Sep 28, 2019

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    Just to update that it's had a bath and there are still no hallmarks. I have two questions for the forum:

    1. Looking at post no 2 in the thread - how much wear would a gold-filled lug take before it starts showing. The pictures show a watch with quite a bit of lug wear and I can't see any steel/base metal showing.
    2. How would you confirm if something was solid rather than filled in the absence of the usual hallmarks or stamping?
     
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  4. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Sep 28, 2019

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    filled can be quite thick, but you would not expect to see the bar attachments in the gold.
     
  5. knafel1983 Oct 6, 2019

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    I had a metalsmith in Pennsylvania fabricate the lugs on my big XII. He said they were solid 14k rose gold, and his fabricated lugs match exactly, no difference in color. There is no brassing at all, even after aging and polishing of the original lugs. But according to the model number, starting with 2, that means stainless steel, so that doesn't mention the rose gold lugs, and no hallmarks.
     
    Edited Oct 6, 2019
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  6. bgrisso Oct 7, 2019

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    So do we feel this above info can be applied to other case references ? Are we tipping towards a consensus on solid rose gold lugs with mixed metal cases ?
     
  7. Carlton-Browne Oct 8, 2019

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    It's probable and we'd both like them to be but we haven't got any proof yet. Does anybody know a metallurgist who could advise how to prove it?
     
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  8. ConElPueblo Oct 8, 2019

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    handsaw-8-in-1-metal-magic-saw-multi-diy.jpg
     
  9. Carlton-Browne Oct 8, 2019

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    Please! This is not the time or place for Khashoggi jokes.
     
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  10. bgrisso Oct 8, 2019

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    I’m not sure there are any non destructive ways to get proof
     
  11. Woops Oct 8, 2019

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    It sounds daft but have you tried a strong magnet on the lugs? We know that brass (often the base metal for gold fill) and solid gold itself are non-magnetic but in the remote event of an attraction you’ll at least know that there’s something else under there (maybe even some steel like the rest of the case?)

    This post was brought to you by Great Grandad Whoops who was a rag-and-bone man by trade, specialising in reclaimed brass door furniture.
     
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  12. bgrisso Nov 21, 2019

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    What do people think of a ladder bracelet on a ribbon lugs case ? (This watch belongs to my GF, not me)
     
    P1020563_adj.JPG
  13. aap Nov 21, 2019

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    I find the proportions off, B.
     
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  14. bgrisso May 2, 2020

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    Interesting to note there are many SS references in the UG archives that have SS case, start with 2XXXX, and have gold lugs and bezel. I believe these are all solid gold lugs/bezels. I tend to think the same applies to time only, so if I see a case that starts with reference 2 and I see gold lugs and/or bezel, I'm pretty sure it's solid....

    Here's a few archives pics, there's more than this in Sala
     
    7AC654DB-6B2A-4F2E-93FD-3A2DD168D8BF.jpeg 4CCAC89D-1008-4E7E-B47B-3A7D515E44A7.jpeg
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  15. rolokr May 2, 2020

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    I have similar Gubelin two tone, lugs are solid gold.
     
    2FE45DE4-7C6E-4DB3-9038-7F2C8767C830.jpeg
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  16. 10H10 May 2, 2020

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    As the owner of this one: https://www.highlifewatches.com/store/p33/1943_Universal_Geneve_Tri-Compax_-_Ref._22261.html
    I confirm that it is solid gold.
    Cheers.
     
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  17. Carlton-Browne Jun 3, 2020

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    Woops and filmir like this.
  18. bgrisso Jun 3, 2020

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    Interesting, it's also a different case ref
     
  19. Radiumpassion Jun 14, 2020

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    A simple gold acid test would give the answer....

    67C28440-5205-4B17-BCAF-04CAA1EE0B97.jpeg
     
  20. bgrisso Jun 14, 2020

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    is that a non destructive test? The acid tests I have seen I thought you make a scratch in the metal to apply the solution?