Precious Time aka PT Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Precious Time – 14K Gold – A Myth, A Lie or The Truth I Stand by my word I’ve been browsing the forums and I’ve found a lot of talk about solid gold reps. Many customers have also asked me the question “is it really gold” I have also found occasions where certain dealers bad mouth other dealers! Saying that gold rep’s don’t exist. I have a lot of loyal customers who have taken my word for it and purchased some of my 14K gold reps. I have compiled this thread to answer some of the frequently asked questions about solid gold reps. Please note, I am not speaking on behalf of other dealers. I have not seen other dealers reps to assess their claims. I am strictly clearing up the fact, if I claim its 14k gold, them my word is as good as gold. Firstly a few points I want to make. 1. I stand by my word. 2. If I say its gold its gold 3. Gold is not as expensive as people really think. Especially when you are talking about hollow mid links. Each mid link weighs approx 0.8 grams. Assume there are 12 Gold mid links. That is 9.6 grams of gold. 4. I have been in the gold industry for over 8 years. YES, this means I know what I’m talking about. So let’s start with the basics. 24 carat - 100% pure or 999 fine 22 carat - 91.7% pure or 917 fine 18 carat - 75% pure or 750 fine 14 carat - 58.3% pure or 583 fine 9 carat - 37.5% pure or 375 fine Today’s gold rate for 1oz troy is $550 for 24k Gold 1 ounce troy is 31.10grams We have already established each hollow mid link is 0.8 grams and there are approx 12 14k gold mid links on the average TT sub or GMT. That gives us a total gold weight of 9.6 grams. To simplify the math I’m going to round this up to 10 grams. So below is the math $550/31.10 = $17.68 of 24k Gold 17.68 divided by 24 multiply by 14 gives us $10.31 Rate for 1gram of 14k Gold. $10.31 x 10 grams of gold (total for mid links) = $103 for 10 grams of 14k Gold – Yes gold is cheap. Please remember a normal outlet selling fine jewellery would then add a further $200 dollars or so for labour etc... We exclude this value in the reps. So we have now worked out that an average TT 14k Sub has 10 grams of gold with an additional value of around $100. The crown sometimes is also gold, and will weigh approx 1 gram adding a further $10-15. This price does not mean a dealer will sell you a gold strap for $100. The dealer has to earn money too and therefore the price is marked up. Okay, now we have the facts out of the way with….. On with my Hard Evidence!! When I say rep has 14K Gold mid links, that means it is Real 14k Gold!! Not a Myth, Not a Lie, Not plated and Not wrapped on brass. (I do not vouch for other dealers stock as I have not seen other dealers stock I’m referring to my stock) How do I prove this… Simple… OPERATION MELTDOWN The following work was undertaken at a professional jewelers who had a workshop in house. Below i have shown a link from my own 14k TT GMT being melted down. An yes i lost the link and had to pay for this to be done, but its woth putting end to any doubts anyone had about my claims. Below a clear picture of some soldering already on the link. If it was plated you would not see this. Meltdown Begins.... Whats left of the link, while gold is put into acid Final result. 14K GOLD!!!!! What you should learn from this. My word is as good as GOLD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 i am impressed, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwai02 Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgy Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Good info, good post!!!!!!! Thanks PT Higgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallguy83 Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Wow! I'm impressed. Thanks for the great post PT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegra Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I knew PT is a man of his word.. My blue Sub TT 14k gold from PT is a beater in that issue.. just the dial is not perfect as all blue Sub TT reps. But as for the band and the crown this is the best you can have. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Nice explanation! Makes sense to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leitztozeiss Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Thanks PT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archibald Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 PT, thanks for the much needed clarification. The problem, incidentally, has nothing to do with you--the simple fact is that too many less than honest rep dealers have advertised "solid" gold and sent wrapped or electroplated. A couple questions for you: Are there any watches available with solid bezels, crowns, etc. I'd love to see a TT Turn-o-graph-or Daytona w/ solif gold bezels, etc. Why don't the makers make these parts in 18K? After all, 18K is the "gold" standard in genuines and, as your math shows, we're only talking about 30 bucks more cost for an 18k bracelet. Since almost anyone can tell the difference between 18K and 14K gold, anyone who wants solid gold in their rep is faced with a choice: Do you want an 18k plated rep that is too light and may not last or a 14k rep that looks off but is closer to the right weight and will last for years with good care? If we could get 18k parts, that problem would be solved for not too much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRVJA Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I HAVE ONE OF YOUR GOLD LINK ROLEX GMT AND BOUGHT IT BECAUSE I TRUST YOU AS YOU SAY YOUR WORD IS AS GOOD AS GOLD. PS THE WATCH IS TERRIFIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metronman Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Just to confirm,i recently bought two 14k watches from precious time,a day date and a yachtmaster,both fantastic,as was his service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005SUBMARINER Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 PT has my bussiness man ! great demo ... ill be e-mailing you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stac Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Interesting stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Bring on the orders!!!..... now this is top notch marketing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Tracy Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'm impressed PT, great post, very good with my tea ! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rah Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Thanks for the info-Makes it tempting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I think it is fair to say that (in Precious Times case at least) this puts an end to any speculation over his solid gold watches. Thank you PT Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 PT, thanks for the much needed clarification. The problem, incidentally, has nothing to do with you--the simple fact is that too many less than honest rep dealers have advertised "solid" gold and sent wrapped or electroplated. A couple questions for you: Are there any watches available with solid bezels, crowns, etc. I'd love to see a TT Turn-o-graph-or Daytona w/ solif gold bezels, etc. Why don't the makers make these parts in 18K? After all, 18K is the "gold" standard in genuines and, as your math shows, we're only talking about 30 bucks more cost for an 18k bracelet. Since almost anyone can tell the difference between 18K and 14K gold, anyone who wants solid gold in their rep is faced with a choice: Do you want an 18k plated rep that is too light and may not last or a 14k rep that looks off but is closer to the right weight and will last for years with good care? If we could get 18k parts, that problem would be solved for not too much money. Think I read somewhere that 14k wears a lot better than 18k ( or higher) - most jewellery is done in 14k or less for this reason. offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Yeah 18ct in general terms is to soft for watches and bracelets, I know that it is used in some cases as well as 24ct but the wear is not good. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Excellent info! I'm not much of a gold kind of guy, but if the need should arise, I know where to turn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Excellent post, PT and thanks for taking the effort to shed some light on this subject, at least with your watches. I'm not much of a gold guy but after playing with a buddy' s gen TT, I certainly would not mind having one in the watch case. It is a gorgeous watch. Regards, Jet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hari Seldon Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Great post PT. Very informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I work with Gold in my job and I can categorically back PT's claims here. I have also seen one of his watches and there is no doubt that it was solid gold. Actually Gold prices are going through the roof at the moment so they are a bit of a abrgain!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddhead Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 not top be redundent, but this truly an excellent post. http://www.buymyprecious.com/Photos/Repair/Gold1d.jpg Meltdown Begins.... Whats left of the link, while gold is put into acid Final result. 14K GOLD!!!!! What you should learn from this. My word is as good as GOLD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkcambel Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Wow. This completely and clearly explains the gold issue. And, kill some formerly accepted ideas. Great post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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