Apple’s 18k gold has less gold in it than other gold watches
Getting good Apple Watch facts and figures is elusive , because the hype around Apple ’s belated launch has lead many a author to hyperbole .
First here ’s one claim that you might get wind that ’s improbable to add up true : Apple is going to use 30 per cent of the world ’s gold supply to make the Apple Watch .
AsGoldSilverBitcoinsays : “ Any serious gold investor never claim seriously the sheer claim that Apple ’s new headphone might use up 30 % of the cosmos ’s gold supplies . The world is , Apple will be watering down its gold content . ”
The gold Apple is using in the Watch Edition has less atomic number 79 in it than usual . Apple Au is a metal matrix complex rather than a standard metal . This is because Apple mixes its amber with ceramic . ThisApple Gold articlehas more selective information on Apple ’s alloy matrix composite atomic number 79 .
Apple’s gold is tougher than usual
While it ’s tempting to think of Apple ’s metal matrix gold as cost delivery , it ’s actually to make the equipment much more unchanging . Apple gold is a harder and more dinero resistive than other build of atomic number 79 . Gold is , it turns out , a really rubbish material to make thing from . It dents and plication easily . Jony I ve toldThe Financial Times : “ the molecules in Apple atomic number 79 are closer together , making it double as hard as standard gold . ”
Work hardened: Apple stresses its metal to make it more durable
Apple is also using another process bang asWork Hardeningto make its picket . This think of that the metal in the watch is sock around prior to being made . According to Engineer ’s Edge this “ produce[s ] additional plastic deformation and the metal apparently becomes unassailable and more difficult to change form ” . So the metallic element is carefully stressed and reformed by Apple to make it more durable .
The Apple Watch takes precision to a whole new level
Jony I ve describes in his video how Apple does n’t drift the gold into shape . Once the Au has been mixed and strain it is throw off back into metal bar , and these are then precisely machined using anindex cutting tool . According toAtomic Delightsthis enables Apple to control the dimensions of the metal bar to within 0.01 mm .
How Apple rolls (its gold)
Apple does n’t finish toughening up its gold . Once the watch shape has been cut ; the gold build is passed back and forth between two roller . This use up a few microns out in each pass , which toughen the gold even harder .
The Apple Watch is polished by hand
While Apple utilise a complex construction process to build the Apple Watch , the video shows with each watch being hired hand refined . This will also enable an expert human eye to approximate each expensive Watch Edition and control that it ’s up to scratch ( or scratch free , to be more accurate ) .
The Apple Watch uses surgical steel
The Apple Watch ( the regular model ) might not have toughen Au , but it is n’t just made from any older untainted steel . Apple is suppose to be knead with ASM 316L steel , which is often referred to as “ surgical steel ” ( because it is unremarkably used to make surgical instruments and implants ) .
The steel watch should be allergy-free
Many people have an sensitized response to wearing steel ( it get a rash on the cutis ) . This is one of the main reason we believe Apple is using surgical sword over a regular score ; the very reason this grade sword is used in medical instruments is because there is less seepage of metallic element atom ( hence less reaction).Greg Koenig , co - founder of Luma Labs says : ” I suspect a large focusing of Apple ’s metallurgy and process design was on the nickel allergic reaction issue .
Cleaned by laser: a unique new process
Koenig also soak up attention to a altogether new process Apple seems to be using . The milling mental process often leave tiny 0.5 millimeter burrs that are razor - sharp . Apple appear to be using lasers to clean up the finishing mar from the Apple Watch . “ I would considerthis ( quite long ) blogpost a success if the applied scientist or designer who thought that trick up read this and knows that this is an surprisingly brilliant illusion they misrepresent up . Bravo ! ” articulate Koenig . His amazingly elaborate analytic thinking of the Apple Watch product process bestow much of Apple ’s manufacturing procedure to illuminate ; it is well worth a read .
Apple will sell 1 million in first week
bagpiper Jaffray analystGene Munsterexpects Apple to deal 1 million Apple Watches in the product ’s first weekend on the grocery store . “ I reckon the clear takeout is this : The first quarter is survive to be a decent one-quarter because of the fanboys . It ’ll in all probability die down a little bit , and then this really endure vertical a year plus from now ” .
