Glossary · Trade

Frosting

A matte, granular surface finish applied to gilt plates before lacquering.

Explanation

Frosting is the fine matte graining applied to movement plates, traditionally by hand with a wire brush or abrasive. English three-quarter-plate watches and gilt American movements are famous for it. Frosting hides fingerprints and small marks and became a signature finish; modern re-frosting of a worn plate is possible but erases original surface.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Frosting”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.

Wristwatch
Romain Gauthier Continuum Titanium Wristwatch
“This Romain Gauthier Continuum wristwatch, known as the C by Romain Gauthier, is an independent horological piece constructed from titanium. It features an integrated titanium b…”