Hallmark between the lugs

[trilo]

I was planning to put this watch aside, because it's not necessarily my cup of tea and the gold layer has worn considerably.

Then I noticed it had tarnish on it like silver and applied polish to it, which made it shiny! Then I inspected the case and found the following hallmark (couldn't find anything else). 

Any idea what that hallmark could be?

Movement is Ebauches France 8121. Watch dial reads Jean Philippe (fashion brand?). I have no idea why there would be a hallmark on a watch like this.

If the case turns out to be silver, I might service the watch and put in use (movement works, but needs an overhaul).

[HiBeat]

I'm not seeing the photo.

[trilo]

Jan 19, 2024 8:09:10 GMT -8 HiBeat said:

I'm not seeing the photo.

How about now?

[HiBeat]

That's nice to see Trilo !

I once bought an stampled '0.750 18K' white gold watch strap buckle, turns out when I took it my gold & silver guy he did that test and it was just stainless.

So my point is I am not 100% a fashion brand quartz would really have a solid precious metal case.  Coating or plating surely but a solid gold bezel I kind of doubt.   And the fact that the case shows brassing clearly it is electroplated or coated at best.

[trilo]

Jan 19, 2024 8:56:28 GMT -8 HiBeat said:

That's nice to see Trilo !

I once bought an stampled '0.750 18K' white gold watch strap buckle, turns out when I took it my gold & silver guy he did that test and it was just stainless.

So my point is I am not 100% a fashion brand quartz would really have a solid precious metal case.  Coating or plating surely but a solid gold bezel I kind of doubt.   And the fact that the case shows brassing clearly it is electroplated or coated at best.

Defintely no gold there, but I wonder who would go through the trouble of adding silver and then gold plating, and then hallmark it on top of all. Patina on it looks exactly like on silver.

But like you said, most likely nothing to cheer for, and certainly no high hopes here. Watch came in a lot.

EDIT: Actually now that I inspected it more closely with a loupe, I think there is a layer of silver on top of Stainles Steel and then it has been finished with gold plating.

Crazy stuff! In any case, these 80's fashion watches are out of this world, compared to what we have these days.

[HiBeat]

I recall from my antique car days that triple-plated chrome spare parts meant the steel was plated first with copper to which the chrome layer is plated for better adhesion, or something to that effect.

I think it is not proper to hallmark anything not solid of the metal indicated but what do I know

[trilo]

Jan 19, 2024 11:58:46 GMT -8 HiBeat said:

I recall from my antique car days that triple-plated chrome spare parts meant the steel was plated first with copper to which the chrome layer is plated for better adhesion, or something to that effect.

I think it is not proper to hallmark anything not solid of the metal indicated but what do I know

Indeed, nice chrome needs a copper base!

I agree, hallmarking run of the mill stuff is misleading!

[saldog]

I think stainless will accept silver as an undercoat and gold will plate nicely on top of silver. I used to work in aerospace and we would coat aluminum parts in silver and then gold for space borne components. Silver is superior at electrical conductivity and gold on top of that for its resistance to offgassing (in vacuum conditions) and corrosion resistance (we all know how easily silver tarnishes/oxidizes). Not that that has anything to do with “jewelry” but maybe it does when it comes to tarnishing resistance and precious metal content.

[trilo]

I love this place. Full of like minded people who learn from each other!

I was foaming to my wife yesterday that "look what they did to fashion watches in the 80s, bonkers!"

Then I come here and we got chroming and aerospace discussion going on, just brilliant!

Quite often I try to explain to people, that things in life are scaleable and you can apply knowledge across different fields. Therefor you don't have to learn everything individiually, you just apply and modify the information, and it's worth while to study even the most simple (seemingly) things first, because it's a simple way to build your toolbox of applicable information.

[scubarob99]

"Toolbox of applicable information" I really like that. When I talk to my 20 year old daughter on the subject, I usually refer to it as an 'arsenal' or a 'quiver'.
Being in construction, 'toolbox' is more in my wheelhouse.

Rob