Plated Watch Cases: Glossary

A quality mark may be applied to a precious metal article by any method.

Where a quality mark is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on a precious metal article, any trademark on the article must be applied by the same method.

A Gold Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Gold Filled quality mark, a pocket watch must have:

• a minimum thickness of 75 micrometres (3/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold which must be applied to the outer surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• a minimum thickness of 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold which must be applied to the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

A Gold Plated Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality to a thickness of at least 5 micrometres.

A Rolled Gold Plate Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Rolled Gold Plate quality mark, a pocket watch case must have:

• a layer of at least 35 micrometres (approximately 1.5/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold applied to the surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• a layer of at least 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least 10K gold applied on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

A Silver Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of silver has been soldered or sweated. In order to qualify for a Silver Filled quality mark, a pocket watch case must have:

• a minimum thickness of 75 micrometres (3/1000 inch) of at least .925 quality silver applied to the surface of the hunting case front, back, centre, open-face bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and
• at least 25 micrometres (1/1000 inch) of at least .925 quality silver applied on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel.

A Silver Plate Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plate quality mark, a pocket watch case must have applied to it, silver plating of minimum .925 quality to a thickness of at least 5 micrometres.

Marks other than quality marks or trademarks may be applied to precious metal articles, such as:

• numerals intended to identify the article or pattern which are not calculated to mislead or deceive;
• the name or initials of a dealer, provided it will not be confused with a quality mark; and
• any other mark not calculated to mislead or deceive.

The marking provisions for plated bracelet watches are identical to pocket watch cases, with one exception. The exception is that provision is made here for the addition of the marking of any part which is not of the quality of the rest of the case. For instance, a marking of "Base Metal Back" might indicate that the back of the bracelet watch is not of the same standard as the face of the watch.

These additional markings may be applied either on the inner or outer surface of the case back.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Filled may be marked:

• "gold filled".
• "G.F.".
• "doublé d'or".

These quality marks must be accompanied by a factual karat designation. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence. For example, a quality mark of "10K G.F." indicates that a Gold Filled pocket watch case article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, a layer of 10K gold.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gold electroplate".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "electro-plaqué d'or".
• "or plaqué".

An article which meets the quality requirement for Rolled Gold Plate may be marked:

• "rolled gold plate".
• "R.G.P.".
• "plaqué d'or laminé".

These quality marks must be accompanied by a factual karat designation. All of the numerals and letters used in the quality mark and karat designation must be of the same size and prominence. For example, a quality mark of "10K Rolled Gold Plate" indicates that a Rolled Gold Plated pocket watch case article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, a layer of 10K gold.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Filled may be marked:

• "silver filled".
• "S.F.".
• "doublé d'argent".

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plate may be marked:

• "silver electroplate".
• "silver plated".
• "electro-plaqué d'argent".

Alternatively, an abbreviation of any of the preceding quality marks is allowable.

These articles have no legal tolerances provided:

• A Gold Filled pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Rolled Gold Plate pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Gold Plate pocket watch case article of minimum 10K quality.
• A Silver Plate pocket watch article of minimum .925 quality.
• A Silver Filled pocket watch article of minimum .925 quality.

With two exceptions, where a quality mark is applied to a precious metal article, the article must also bear a Canadian trademark which either is:

• currently registered with the Registrar of Trademarks in Canada; or
• in the process of being registered, with proof that a trademark application has been submitted which is acceptable to a minister.

For more information, including the publication, "A Guide To Trademarks", as well as an application form for a trademark, all correspondence should be addressed to:

The trademark must be applied to the case proper. Marking a name on the dial of the watch is not considered to cover the requirement for application of a trademark on the case.

The trademark must be applied to the case proper. The name on the dial of the watch is not considered to cover the requirement to apply the trademark on the case.

An article which has a quality mark does not require a Canadian trademark if:

• the article is hallmarked in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom; or
• the article was quality marked in a foreign country under the laws of that country, and is accompanied with a government mark of that country which is recognized by the Department of Industry Canada.