Exploring the difference between gold wrapping and gold plating

Gold plating deposits a thin layer (typically 0.5–5 microns) by electrolysis; it is bright but wears through at edges and clasps. Gold wrapping (gold filling or capping) bonds a much thicker sheet of karat gold — 20 mils and more — to the base metal mechanically and thermally, so the surface can be polished and survives decades of wear.

Our gold wrapping service uses 18 kt yellow, rose or white gold applied by specialist craftsmen, with the watch disassembled and reassembled by a watchmaker.