Do Gold Watches Scratch Easily? How to Prevent Damage

Solid Gold (18k or 14k)

Solid gold cases are the softest option. 18k gold is 75% pure gold alloyed with silver, copper, or palladium for strength. Even alloyed, it sits at approximately 150 to 200 HV on the Vickers hardness scale. Standard 316L stainless steel sits at around 200 HV. The result is that a solid gold case will scratch visibly from everyday contact with surfaces that a steel case would not. The scratches displace rather than remove material, which is why solid gold can be professionally polished back by a watchmaker — the material is still there, just rearranged. Regular polishing removes a small amount of material each time, which is a long-term consideration for thin case edges.

PVD Gold-Tone over Hardened Steel

PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) gold-tone is bonded to the steel case at a molecular level in a vacuum chamber. The result is a gold-tone finish significantly harder than solid gold. On 800HV hardened surgical steel, the substrate beneath the coating is four times harder than standard 316L stainless steel. Light scratches that would mark solid gold are resisted by the harder surface beneath the PVD layer. The coating itself adds further surface hardness. This is why Söner's Nostalgia and Amorous collections use PVD gold-tone over 800HV hardened steel specifically — it is the most scratch-resistant gold-finish option available at this price point. For the full technical explanation, see our guide to PVD gold coating on watches.

Gold Plating (Electroplating)

Standard gold plating applies a thin layer of gold over a base metal using electrodeposition. The layer is typically 0.5 to 2.5 microns thick. Unlike solid gold, plating does not displace — it wears through. At high-contact points like the case back, clasp, and lug ends, the plating wears away to expose the base metal within a few years of daily wear. This produces an uneven, patchy appearance that cannot be polished back. Re-plating is possible but the process repeats.

The cleaning method depends on the gold type. For all types: mild soapy water and a soft toothbrush for the case and bracelet, rinse with clean water, dry immediately with a lint-free cloth. Never use toothpaste — despite the widespread recommendation online, toothpaste contains mild abrasives that scratch gold surfaces and will wear through PVD coatings over time.

For solid gold: a jeweller's polishing cloth is safe for restoring surface lustre between professional services. For PVD gold-tone: the same cloth but with lighter pressure — the coating is harder than solid gold but thinner, and the polishing cloth is for surface buffing only, not scratch removal. For gold plating: avoid any polishing compounds entirely. Gentle soap and cloth only.

For a more detailed guide specifically on Söner gold watches, see our complete guide to polishing a gold watch at home.

Solid gold watches benefit from professional polishing every few years to restore the case finish. A watchmaker removes fine scratches by carefully polishing the case surfaces, maintaining the original brushed or polished finish distinction where applicable. Note that each polish removes a small amount of material — this is a consideration for thin lugs and case edges on watches worn and polished frequently over decades.

PVD and plated watches cannot be polished back the same way. If the coating has worn through significantly, re-coating or re-plating by a specialist is the only option. For a quality PVD watch maintained correctly, this should not be necessary for 5 to 10 years of daily wear.

Any gold watch that has been exposed to water ingress, extreme temperature changes, or chemical contact should be inspected by a watchmaker promptly, regardless of the case finish type.