A decorative article 1A for a timepiece or the like is provided having a
superior aesthetic appearance that can be maintained over a long period
of time. The decorative article 1A has a substrate 2 wherein at least
part of the surface vicinity is primarily configured from Ti and/or
stainless steel, a first coat 3 formed on the substrate 2, and a second
coat 4 formed on the first coat 3. The first coat 3 is configured
primarily from TiCN, and the combined C content and N content in the
first coat 3 is 5 to 30 wt %. The second coat 4 is configured primarily
from M (where M is one or more elements selected from Ti, Pt, Pd, and
In). The average thickness of the first coat 3 is 1.6 to 5 .mu.m. The
average thickness of the second coat 4 is 0.15 to 0.5 .mu.m.