n the age-old competition between German and Swiss watchmaking, one material is used by the Germans in a distinct manner. This is mallechort or German silver, an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. Also known as nickel silver, the alloy is a Chinese invention from the 16th century, though its nomenclature does not hint at this fact at all. It was essentially used as a dupe of silver, which was expensive, difficult to mine, and tarnished over time. German silver
