zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

It is dangerous to take a little second-hand knowledge from one area of metalworking and think you have all you need to know to criticize any other application of a similar process.

Rhodium plating is used to prevent tarnishing -- mainly on sterling silver jewelry. Tarnishing is something that the stainless steel or solid gold exteriors of Omega watches do not have a problem with. Omega uses it on certain movements parts that are made from brass or other materials that do tarnish. This helps prolong the life of the movement -- something very desirable in a $1,000-20,000 watch!

Since rhodium is a silver-white metal, it would not be used over yellow gold. And stainless steel certainly does not need any tarnish protection.

I don't know how your dealer might have misstated the facts, but all the official information I've seen from Omega pretty clearly described the rhodium-plating to be a feature of the movement, not of the case or bracelet.

We're all here to share information, ask questions and learn from each other. Questions and debate about the quality and suitability of Omega's techniques are quite welcome content here.

But trying to be all Mr. I Know Somebody's Dirty Secret with information that you clearly didn't sufficiently check out or apply common sense logic to reflects poorly on you.