C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

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RD0401
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C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

Post by RD0401 »

On the C5 quartz what's the "galvanic dial" mean? What's the major differnce between the galvanic dial and the normal dial? There seem to be a big price difference between the two dials so I assume the galvanic is not as good/as high a quality!
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Re: C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

Post by ianblyth »

The difference in price is because one set is gold and the others are steel. If you look at the autos you will see the steel ones are the same price regardless of the dial.

The old style dial is 2 layers. The new galvanic is a single layer but more metallic looking.

Pictures of the C50 (which was the first to have the Galvanic dial) are here.
http://www.christopherwardforum.com/vie ... 56#p125050

In the same thread lots of pics of the older style C5 to compare it with. Such as this one showing a comparison between an older and more modern dial.
http://www.christopherwardforum.com/vie ... 56#p107439
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Re: C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

Post by downer »

Some manufacturers (e.g. Sinn) claim that galvanised dials are more resistant to the impact of UV rays which causes fading on normal dials.

I don't know if that also applies to CW Galvanic....

This is the Sinn description...

galvanising
Electrolytic depositing of thin metallic layers for ornamental refinement of surfaces or for corrosion protection. During galvanising an electrically conductive workpiece (or one which has been made conductive) is coated with a thin layer of a different material. This takes place in a special immersion bath, using an electric current. Copper, nickel, silver or gold coatings are created electrolytically from the corresponding metallic salts (copper, nickel, silver salts). Sulphuric acid solutions of chromic acid anhydride are used, by contrast, to generate a shiny chrome finish.

If you dissolve a silver salt in water and pass an electrical current through the solution, the silver ions in the silver salt will migrate to the cathode (negative terminal) of the power source and be deposited there as neutral silver atoms (after being “reduced”). Objects being galvanised are therefore connected to the negative terminal of a power source, i.e. they are submersed as the cathode in the aqueous solution. The longer the treatment in the immersion bath is carried out, the thicker the galvanically created coating.

To keep the ion concentration at a constant level in the solution, an anode (positive terminal, or “target”) made from the coating material (e.g. silver) is used. It gradually dissolves during the galvanisation process and must therefore be replaced from time to time.

Conventionally created galvanic coats are relatively soft and are therefore susceptible to scratches and knocks. However there are other techniques which can be used to create gold plating with a surface hardness of up to 380 HV. We mainly use galvanically applied layers as means of refining dials and interior bezels. This method produces superior decorative brilliance in comparison to varnishing, and is distinguished by its exceptional UV colour fastness (ageing resistance).
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Re: C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

Post by RD0401 »

Excellent, all makes sense. Thanks guys.
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Re: C5 Malvern Quartz - Galvanic dial?

Post by cenzo »

It is just another form of finishing.
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