Exhibitors Innovation Grand Prix.

In today's report, we go back to the EPHJ, the high precision trade fair that was held in Geneva a couple of weeks ago and especially on the 5 companies that were nominated as part of the Grand Prix the trade show organises for each edition rewarding innovation.

The 5 most innovative companies for this year edition were: Vulkam, a company specialised in amorphous metal nominated for its innovative industrial chain adapted to the production of micro-watch components in Amorphous Metal Alloys, using a unique three-step process: production of the raw material (amorphous metal slugs), thermomoulded preforms and finishing by laser cutting, electro-erosion or bar turning.

Panatere, collects scrap from the production of watch and medical components to give it a second life was nominated for their innovation which consists in producing solar steel using a solar furnace and by doing so having steel which has a 0 carbon impact.

Mestel specialises in rubber and polymer parts was nominated for Reebber a truly innovative recycled rubber, with a devulcanising and grinding process of rubber under specific conditions, notably relating to temperature.

This guarantees the circularity and preservation of the original properties of the material while offering infinite customisation, resistance to torsion and tearing, adhesion to substrates and good chemical resistance. Positive Coating, innovates in the field of surface treatments based on PVD technology (Physical Vapor Deposition) and ALD technology (Atomic Layer Deposition) and was nominated for their rainbow coating which offers for the first time the possibility to apply two-tone or an explosion of colours onto the complex geometry of watch components. STS, the winner of the grand prix specialises in surface treatment and developed an alternative to rhodium for the watchmaking and jewellery industries.

Using platinum, it is possible to produce large quantities of a coating with the same technical specifications and colour as rhodium. This chemical and technological innovation offsets the global surge in the price of rhodium, which now costs CHF 800/g!

Enjoy it and Viva Watchmaking!