A component of a watch, jewelry, or fashion item featuring a color gradient

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for decorating a watch, jewelry, or fashion accessory component (10), comprising a step of depositing a decorative thin layer (11) onto all or part of a decorative face (110) of the component body (10), by implementing a physical vapor deposition method in a dedicated chamber (20). The method is characterized in that, during the step of depositing the decorative thin layer (11), a masking device (21) is interposed between the component body (10) and a target (22) whose material is intended to be deposited onto said body. This target (22) is made of a material different from that of the decorative face (110) of the component body (10) onto which the decorative thin layer (11) is intended to be deposited. The masking device (21) is arranged at a distance from the component body. cladding (10) so that the thin decorative layer (11),Following the deposition stage, it exhibits a progressive variation in thickness, generating a decoration with the appearance of a color gradient on the cladding piece (10).