There remained, then, only two possible solutions of the question, which created two distinct parties: on one side, those who were for a monster of colossal strength; on the other, those who were for a submarine vessel of enormous motive power.
Gold is the most malleable of all metals; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of 1 square meter, and an avoirdupois ounce into 300 square feet. Gold leaf can be beaten thin enough to become semi-transparent.
Gold may be used to make the watch cases, bezels, bracelets and the most precious parts of the movement. However, gold in its pure state is too malleable, and thus other metals and alloyed to it: silver, copper, and palladium, to give it the necessary hardness and mechanical resistance.