My wife gave me an Aqua Terra with the 8500 movement for our 40th anniversary. Since the traditional gift for that anniversary is Ruby she was told by the jeweler that the watch had rubies in it. Of course I assume that even if there are rubies in it they would be man-made but can anyone give me any info to give to her? Not a question like most posted here but hope someone can help me out.
https://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Omega_8500 39 jewels. Yes, they are typically manmade rubies.
To provide a little info, jewels in watch movements are used in specific places to reduce friction at the points of heaviest wear. The jewels last much longer than traditional metal on metal wear, which damages the movement faster over time opposed to the incorporation of “jewels”
There's a few articles floating around watch forums on jewels and their functions. I think there's even some here in the Open Discussion forum at the top.
Before the advent of synthetic gemstones, genuine stones were used in watches. Very early on, agate was used, but later on, natural stones such as ruby, sapphire, rock crystal, aquamarine, and later yet, diamond, were used. Generally, lower grade gemstones were used in watches since their purpose was more practical than decorative. Synthetic ruby is deemed to be anywhere from 90 to 140 times harder (depends on where you read it), than the pivots that run in them, and hard gem material takes a much higher polish than metal.
What a cool idea from the wife. I may have to drop some hints to mine and here's hoping you get to your diamond Anniversary
I like history but it was never my strongest area ... weren't diamonds used in balance cocks long before sapphire or ruby? I have a number of pocket watches with a (relatively) large diamond set in them.
I have only ever seen diamonds used as end stones in older watches. These cap jewels had no holes in them. Diamond hole jewels? Answers anyone?
Thank you all for the information. I really like the watch, especially since it's the golf edition. Much better than her backup option.....ruby cufflinks that I might wear 2 times. Once when she gave them to me and the second when they bury me.