A brushed finish is a metal surface scored with many fine parallel lines set close together. It looks soft and even, not bright like a mirror polish. It is used mainly on cases and bracelets, where its matt sheen sets off the polished, reflective surfaces beside it.
How is a brushed finish made?
The lines do not come from the steel itself. A watchmaker applies them, scoring the metal with many fine lines that run parallel and sit close together. The work can be done on stationary machines or with specialised hand tools. Either way, an even result is not easy. It takes carefully judged pressure from a steady hand. Watchmakers and jewellers tend to call the process satin finishing or straight graining. A plumber would be more likely to say brushed metal.
Where is a brushed finish used on a watch?
Mainly on cases and bracelets. There, the matt sheen of the brushed surfaces sets off the polished, reflective ones next to them. On a brushed case the lines are clearly visible. A case that is brushed all over looks more like a tool, and more utilitarian. Inside the movement, satin finishing is mostly kept for the parts that are harder to see. On cases and bracelets, shot-peening and sandblasting have since taken over some of the work that satin finishing used to do.
Not to be confused with
Bead blasting also gives metal a matt look, but the surface is different. It leaves an even matte texture with no direction and no visible grain lines. A brushed surface has a direction, set by its parallel lines, and the grain can be seen. Brushing is also distinct from a mirror polish. A polished surface is bright and reflective, while a brushed one looks soft and even.
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