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Engine Turning & Guilloché - an explanation

18k yellow gold Hunter watch case, centre engine-turned, outer hand-engraved.




Stripped prior to re-enamelling - bright yellow gold colour is due to a layer of pure gold brought up by a process called "Depletion Gilding". The piece is heated to redness, base metals oxidise and are dissolved in acid leaving a surface that becomes progressively more rich in gold with each cycle of heating, oxidation and acid digestion.




As received.